(Hagerstown, Md., Sept. 18, 2026) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 3-1 on Friday night in Game Three of the North Division Championship Series at Meritus Park. The Ducks sweep the best-of-five series three games to none and are the 2026 North Division Champions.
Leobaldo Cabrera gave the Flying Boxcars a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a solo home run to left field off Ducks starter Anthony Escobar. It stayed that way until the fifth when the Ducks took the lead with a three-run inning against Flying Boxcars starter Chase Chaney. Kole Kaler’s RBI single to left, a double steal in which Kaler came home from third and an RBI double to left by Henry Kusiak highlighted the inning.
Long Island’s bullpen took over in the sixth and combined to pitch four scoreless inning, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out three to secure the win. Four relievers stranded six Flying Boxcars base runners aboard as well.
Escobar (1-0) earned the win, tossing five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out five. Chaney (0-1) took the loss, conceding three runs on eight hits in five innings with three strikeouts. Ramon Santos picked up his second save of the postseason with a scoreless ninth, striking out two and walking one.
Marcus Chiu had two more hits for the Ducks and was named the Division Championship Series MVP. The first baseman totaled seven hits in 12 at-bats during the series, including three doubles and a homer, while driving in four runs and scoring three. Kusiak added two hits and an RBI on the night for the Flock.
The Ducks now advance to the Atlantic League Championship Series, where they will play the winner of the South Division Championship Series between the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and Lexington Legends. Games One and Two of the best-of-five series will be played at either Regency Furniture Stadium (Waldorf, Md.) or CommonSpirit Ballpark (Lexington, Ky.) on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23, respectively. The series will then shift to Long Island for Game Three on Friday, September 25. 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).
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 games 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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