Long Island and Somerset begin best-of-five series Wednesday

(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2013) – The Long Island Ducks held a pair of team workouts on Monday and Tuesday at Bethpage Ballpark in preparation for their third consecutive appearance in the Atlantic League Championship Series. Players and coaches took part in infield and outfield drills, simulated games and batting practice before members of the media on two gorgeous days in Central Islip.

CLICK HERE to view a Facebook Photo Album from the team workouts

CLICK HERE to read a Championship Series preview article from Newsday

CLICK HERE to read an article about Ducks outfielder Lew Ford from Newsday

CLICK HERE to view a Championship Series preview story from Verizon FiOS 1 News

Ducks Manager Kevin Baez and Somerset Patriots Manager Brett Jodie have revealed their starting pitching rotations for the 2013 Atlantic League Championship Series. The best-of-five series will begin with Game One on Wednesday, September 25 at 6:35 p.m. from Bethpage Ballpark.

Following are the pitching match-ups and schedule for the Atlantic League Championship Series:

Game One: Wednesday, September 25 – 6:35 p.m. at Bethpage Ballpark
Game One will feature right-hander John Brownell for the Ducks against Patriots righty Josh Lowey. Brownell set a franchise playoff record with 12 strikeouts and allowed just two runs in a complete game victory over the Blue Crabs in Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series. Lowey posted a 14-8 record during the regular season with a 2.89 ERA and 124 strikeouts. He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two games (one start) against Long Island.

Game Two: Thursday, September 26 – 6:35 p.m. at Bethpage Ballpark
Righty Shaun Garceau will toe the rubber for Long Island in Game Two. He took a no-decision in Game Two of the LDCS against the Blue Crabs, tossing six and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits while striking out five. Southpaw Roy Merritt will start for the Patriots after he earned the win in Somerset’s first round series clincher, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits in seven and one-third innings.

Game Three: Friday, September 27 – 7:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark
When the series shifts to Somerset for Game Three, the Ducks will send right-hander Bob Zimmermann to the mound. The third-year Duck was stellar in the Division Championship Series-clinching win for Long Island, giving up just one run and four hits in six innings while striking out five. Erik Arnesen will start the game for the Patriots. He pitched Game One of the Freedom Division Championship Series and earned the victory, allowing four runs on nine hits with six strikeouts in seven innings against the Skeeters.

Game Four: Saturday, September 28 – 7:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark (if necessary)
Game Four will feature right-hander Bobby Blevins for the Ducks. Blevins made two starts in September after joining the Flock and went 1-1 while allowing seven runs and striking out 10 in 13 innings of work. He also was the starting pitcher for both of Long Island’s Game Five wins in the 2012 Atlantic League playoffs. Somerset has not yet chosen a starter for Game Four.

Game Five: Sunday, September 29 – 5:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark (if necessary)
The starters for Game Five of the series have yet to be announced.

To view the Long Island Ducks Championship Series roster, CLICK HERE

Tickets for all Atlantic League Championship Series games are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets for Games One and Two at the Bethpage Ballpark box office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX or by CLICKING HERE. Those wishing to attend Games Three, Four (if necessary) and Five (if necessary) can buy tickets by calling the Somerset Patriots box office at (908) 252-0700 or online at www.somersetpatriots.com.

Those unable to make it out to the ballpark can follow every Championship Series game either online or on the radio. Games One and Two can be seen and heard online, with video and audio available on the Ducks’ official YouTube channel and in the Ducks Video Center on www.liducks.com. Games Three through Five can be heard on the radio home of the Ducks, 103.9-FM WRCN, and online by CLICKING HERE. The broadcast team will feature Michael Polak, Chris King, David Weiss and Tom Felice.

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