Will represent Liberty Division on July 8 in Bridgeport

(Central Islip, N.Y., July 1, 2015) – Atlantic League officials today announced the 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Game rosters, and seven members of the Long Island Ducks have been selected to represent the Liberty Division in the league’s 18th midsummer classic. Outfielder/bench coach Lew Ford, outfielder Bryan Sabatella, starting pitcher Ian Marshall, closer Ryan Kussmaul, shortstop Dan Lyons, third baseman Cody Puckett and first baseman Jon Griffin were each selected by media, league official and coaching staff voting.

Ford, the defending Atlantic League Player of the Year, earns his second consecutive All-Star selection. Entering Wednesday, the former Major Leaguer leads the league in batting average (.350), RBI (50), hits (83), total bases (127), doubles (22), extra-base hits (29) and slugging percentage (.523). In addition, he ranks second in runs (37) and on-base percentage (.427). The 38-year-old is currently on a 23-game on-base streak, the longest by a Duck this year, and leads the team with 29 multi-hit games this season.

Sabatella will also make his second Atlantic League All-Star Game appearance after being chosen in 2009 as a member of the Lancaster Barnstormers. The Long Island native currently leads the league in runs scored (46) and stolen bases (16). He is also second in hits (75) and at bats (253), fourth in total bases (97) and doubles (15) and eighth in batting average (.296). The 30-year-old compiled a 13-game hitting streak from June 2-17 and has hit safely in 21 of his last 23 contests. He is second on the Ducks in multi-hit games behind Ford with 23.

Marshall has been chosen as an All-Star for a second consecutive season after representing the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 2013. The right-hander has compiled a 2.81 ERA through 11 starts for the Ducks this season. In addition, 64 innings of work, he has allowed just 24 runs (20 earned) on 53 hits and 25 walks while striking out 38 batters. Opponents have also been limited to a .222 batting average against Marshall as well. The 28-year-old has given up two earned runs or less in seven of his last eight outings.

Kussmaul also earns his first Atlantic League All-Star Game selection in this, his first season pitching in the league. The right-hander leads the Atlantic League with 19 saves this season. He has appeared in 29 games in 2015 and has compiled a 3-0 record with a 2.87 ERA. In 31 and one-third innings of work, the 28-year-old has allowed just 10 earned runs on 26 hits and 14 walks while striking out 28, and opponents are hitting just .230 against him.

Lyons, who is in his fifth season with the Ducks, receives his second All-Star Game selection after previously being chosen in 2012. The shortstop ranks second in the Atlantic League in slugging percentage (.464), fourth in RBI (33) and triples (3) and fifth in batting average (.311) and extra-base hits (19). He has also equaled his full season total from 2014 with four home runs while adding 28 runs, 12 doubles, a .378 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases in 10 attempts. The 28-year-old has also been stellar defensively, posting a .978 fielding percentage in 58 games.

Puckett makes his Atlantic League All-Star Game debut in his second season with the Flock. The infielder currently ranks third in the league in at bats (249), fourth in runs scored (35) and fifth in hits (68). He has compiled a .273 batting average along with four home runs, 22 RBI and 12 doubles in 61 games played. The 28-year-old compiled an 18-game on-base streak earlier this season from May 19 through June 6, which is the third-longest on the team this season.

Griffin’s first year with the Ducks also results in his first All-Star selection. He is currently tied for the Atlantic League lead with nine home runs and ranks second with 43 runs batted in. In addition, the first baseman has totaled 22 runs, 10 doubles and a .403 slugging percentage in 61 games played. Defensively, the 26-year-old has posted a .993 fielding percentage and batted .292 during the month of May.

The 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:05 p.m. at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, home of the Bridgeport Bluefish. This year’s midsummer classic will feature the best from the Liberty Division against the best from the Freedom Division. To view the Atlantic League All-Star rosters, please CLICK HERE. To purchase tickets for this year’s All-Star Game, please visit www.bridgeportbluefish.com or call 203-210-BLUE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on the Ducks’ flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. The broadcast can also be heard online by CLICKING HERE.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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