Ducks tie season-high with 19 runs to take series opener in Southern Maryland
(Photo courtesy of Joe Doll)
(Waldorf, Md., Aug. 20, 2021) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 19-5 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium.
The Ducks erupted for eight two-out runs off Blue Crabs starter Kolton Mahoney in the second inning to take an early 8-0 lead. A three-run double by Vladimir Frias and a two-run double by Ramon Flores highlighted the inning. Three more runs came across in the third on L.J. Mazzilli’s bases loaded walk and Nick Bottari’s two-out, two-run single. RBI singles from Frias and Mazzilli in the fourth made it a 13-0 ballgame in favor of the Flock.
Southern Maryland got on the scoreboard in the fourth on a run-scoring wild pitch by Ducks starter Joe Iorio and an RBI single by Michael Baca. Rubi Silva added a solo home run to left-center in the fifth. However, Long Island answered with a six-run sixth, highlighted by Steve Lombardozzi’s three-run homer to right and RBI doubles from Frias and Flores, to take a 19-3 lead. Two runs in the sixth for the Blue Crabs rounded out the scoring.
Iorio (8-2) picked up the win, tossing five and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks. Mahoney (5-4) suffered the loss, surrendering eight runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks in one and two-thirds innings with two strikeouts.
Frias, Bottari, Flores and Ty Kelly each had three hits to lead the Ducks offensively. Frias drove in five runs, while Bottari, Flores and Lombardozzi each added three RBIs.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs continue their three-game series on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com in the Ducks Video Center on the homepage as well as on the Ducks official Facebook page and YouTube channel. Left-hander Darin Downs (1-4, 5.47) takes the mound for the Ducks against Blue Crabs lefty Misael Siverio (0-3, 9.86).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, August 24, to begin a three-game set against the York Revolution. 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’s Under the Seat/Bikini Bottom Night at the ballpark and a Triple Play Tuesday, where one lucky fan can win $25,000 if the Ducks turn a triple play during the game. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call (631) 940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 42 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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