(Waldorf, Md., July 18, 2023) – Long Island Ducks right-handed pitcher Robert Stock twirled a no-hitter on the mound in the Ducks 4-0 win over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Md., on Tuesday, July 18.
The 33-year-old tossed all nine innings in the complete game, shutout win without allowing a single hit to the Blue Crabs. In doing so, he became just the second pitcher in the franchise’s 23-year history to record a no-hitter. The four-year MLB veteran joins Rod Henderson, who accomplished the feat for the Ducks on May 25, 2001, against the Atlantic City Surf at the Ducks home ballpark, known at the time as EAB Park. Additionally, he is just the sixth pitcher in the Atlantic League’s 25-year history to toss an individual no-hitter and first since former Ducks pitcher Lenny DiNardo did so for the Lancaster Barnstormers against the Ducks on May 8, 2013.
Long Island spotted Stock with an early 3-0 lead on Alejandro De Aza’s RBI double and Sam Travis’ two-run homer in the first inning. Boog Powell added a sac fly in the fifth. As the game progressed though, the focus shifted to Stock. After issuing a leadoff walk to Michael Baca in the third, the righty proceeded to retire 14 consecutive Blue Crabs batters. After a walk was allowed to K.C. Hobson to begin the eighth, he followed that up by retiring the next three hitters in succession to come within one inning from history.
In the bottom of the ninth, with one out, Matt Hibbert was hit by a pitch and Khalil Lee walked. David Harris stepped up to the plate, and Stock induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play off the bat of the cleanup hitter. He was then mobbed by his teammates in front of the pitcher’s mound after recording the final out. Stock finished the ballgame by erasing 23 of the final 28 Southern Maryland batters he faced.
The victorious Stock (5-1) fired the first complete game of the season by any Ducks pitcher. He tossed nine innings of no-hit baseball, walking three batters while striking out six, and threw 110 pitches in the outing, 64 of which were strikes.
Robert Stock with the baseball he pitched to record the final out of his no-hitter
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8.5 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)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2023, 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. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit AtlanticLeague.com.
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(Stock action photo courtesy of Eric Wilcox)