(Charleston, W.Va., July 11, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Charleston Dirty Birds 7-5 on Saturday evening in the fifth game of a six-game series at GoMart Ballpark.
Long Island took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first inning on a Gavin Collins sacrifice fly off Charleston starting pitcher Jordan Jackson. The Dirty Birds tied the game in the home half of the frame on a leadoff solo home run from Shawon Dunston Jr. against Ducks starter Julian Minaya. The Flock jumped back out in front 4-1 in the second thanks to Kole Kaler’s three-run homer to right field, but Charleston got a run back in the bottom of the inning on a Javier Crespo RBI single.
The Dirty Birds plated a pair of runs in the fourth to tie the ballgame at four apiece on consecutive two-out errors committed by Long Island and took their first lead of the night at 5-4 in the seventh on Allan Goodwin’s two-out solo home run to left. The visitors answered right back in the top of the eighth, scoring three times to jump back out in front 7-5, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run base hit off the bat of Terrell Tatum and a two-out RBI double to the opposite-field in right from Marcus Chiu. The two-run cushion was more than enough for the bullpen duo of Garrett Crowley and Rafael Kelly, as Crowley fired a clean inning with two strikeouts and Kelly closed the game out by striking out pinch-hitter Wendell Rijo who was representing the tying-run as Kelly notched his third save of the series.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Minaya allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in three and two-thirds innings pitched, walking three and striking out five. Jackson gave up four runs on six hits across four and two-thirds innings of work, walking five while striking out four. Sal Romano (2-0) picked up the victory, giving up one run on one hit in one inning on the mound, walking and striking out one. Henry Omana (0-1) suffered the loss allowing three runs on two hits in one and one-third innings pitched, walking one and striking out a pair of batters.
Kaler had two hits, three RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Tatum tallied three hits, two RBIs, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base, and Alsander Womack chipped in with two hits of his own.
The Ducks and Dirty Birds wrap up their six-game set on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12:34 p.m. at GoMart Ballpark. Fans can follow all the action live via Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network. Subscribe today by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Ryan Cardona (0-0, 1.80) gets the start for the Ducks against Dirty Birds righty Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 6.44).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, July 14, to open a six-game series against the Lancaster Stormers. 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). It will be a Pat’s Marketplace Tuesday and a Triple Play Tuesday at the ballpark. Tickets to the game and all Ducks games are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are entering their 26th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for five consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 726 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 27-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,450 players to MLB organizations while drawing nearly 50 million fans to its 10 state-of-the-art ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Follow the action on DugoutTV.org.
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