(Waldorf, Md., Sept. 24, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-4 on Thursday afternoon in Game Two of the Atlantic League Championship Series at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Ducks lead the best-of-five series two games to none.
Long Island took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on René Pinto’s sacrifice fly to right field that plated Alsander Womack. It stayed that way until the fifth when a two-out RBI double into the left field corner by Marcus Chiu doubled the Ducks lead to two. The Ducks struck again with two outs in the sixth, as Wilmer Difo’s RBI single to left and Henry Kusiak’s two-run double to right made it 5-0 ballgame.
Three more runs came across in the seventh courtesy of a 379-foot three-run home run to left field by Pinto, giving the Flock and eight-run advantage. Southern Maryland put the first two batters aboard in the seventh, but 5-4-3 triple play off the bat of Jackson Loftin ended the threat.
The Blue Crabs scored three runs in the eighth on Ethan Wilson’s two-run home run to right field and Alejandro De Aza’s RBI single to right. Brody Fahr’s two-out RBI single to center in the ninth closed the gap to 8-4, but Southern Maryland would get no closer.
Ducks starter Anthony Escobar (2-0) earned the win, tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing just five singles while striking out four. Blue Crabs starter Kyle Virbitsky (1-1) took the loss, giving up five runs on nine hits and four walks in five and two-thirds innings with three strikeouts. Jacob Asa recorded the final five outs, striking out four, to preserve the win for the Flock.
Kusiak led the Ducks offense with three hits, two RBIs, a run and a walk. Chris Roller added two hits, a run and a walk, while Pinto finished with four RBIs.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs continue the Atlantic League Championship Series with Game Three on Friday night. 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). Left-hander Nick Margevicius (6-2, 4.31 ERA | 1-0, 1.13 ERA) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Andrew Thurman (0-1, 3.27 | 0-0, 9.82).
Tickets for all Ducks playoff games, are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action on Dugout TV, powered by HomeTeam Network. Subscribe today by 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 730 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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