(Photo courtesy of Sam Graham)

 (Staten Island, N.Y., Sept. 4, 2022) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Staten Island FerryHawks 6-2 on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game Labor Day Weekend series at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park.

Staten Island took an immediate 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning against Long Island starter James Varela on an RBI two-base hit by Dilson Herrera and a two run double off the bat of Mariel Bautista. The FerryHawks made it 4-0 in their favor in the second when Antoine Duplantis drove home Andres Noriega with a groundout to Phil Caulfield at second base.  

The Ducks got to within 4-2 in the fifth versus FerryHawks starter Dylan Castaneda courtesy of an opposite-field run-scoring single from Caulfield that plated Matt Chamberlain after he drew a walk with one man down and an RBI double into the right field corner produced by Alejandro De Aza that enabled Anfernee Seymour to cross the plate after he followed Chamberlain’s walk with a free pass of his own. Staten Island regained a four-run cushion at 6-2 in the sixth with Bautista at it once again as he laced a line drive two-run home run just over the left field wall which lifted the home team to the series triumph.

Castaneda (1-0) earned the win, giving up two runs on four hits over five innings of work, walking three while striking out four. Varela (1-1) was tagged with the loss, surrendering six runs on 11 hits (one home run) across five and one-third innings pitched, walking and striking out one. Michael Sullivan fired an inning and a third of scoreless baseball to notch his first save of the season.

Tzu-Wei Lin had a pair of base knocks and a stolen base in the losing effort.

The Ducks continue their road trip on Monday afternoon when they open a four-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at PeoplesBank Park. Fans can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com as well as on the Ducks official Facebook page and YouTube channel. Right-hander Akeel Morris (5-9, 5.75) gets the start for the Ducks against Revolution righty Eduardo Rivera (8-3, 4.47)

Long Island returns home on Friday, September 9, to start another three-game set with the FerryHawks. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive QuackerJack and Scoop Posters, courtesy of Newsday. It’s also an EBBS Craft Beer/Fountain Hard Seltzer Takeover at the ballpark and an Angela’s Pizza Friday. Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information, please visit AtlanticLeague.com.

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