(Central Islip, N.Y., May 18, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 9-7 in the first game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

GAME VIDEO: Ray Navarrete’s two-run single, Dan Lyons’ game-tying RBI single and Bryant Nelson’s game-winning RBI double

POSTGAME VIDEO: Navarrete, Nelson, Jon Meloan and James McOwen talk about the come-from-behind victory

Ray Navarrete put the Ducks in front with a RBI single to right in the first off Patriots starter Mike MacDonald. The teams would exchange runs in the third, as Somerset tied it on a run-scoring single to left from Aaron Mathews off Ducks starter Mike Loree, and James McOwen put Long Island back in front on a RBI double to right-center.

The Patriots took a 4-3 lead in the fourth on a pair of RBI singles from Jonny Tucker and Freddie Bynum. Three more runs in the sixth on a two-run triple from Bynum and a run-scoring passed ball extended the lead to four.

However, the Ducks stormed back for four runs in the seventh to tie the game, highlighted by a two-run single from Navarrete. After the Patriots regained the lead in the eighth, a three-run bottom of the frame put Long Island ahead for good. Bryant Nelson’s RBI double to right broke the tie.

Neither starter factored into the decision. Loree allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks in four innings of work, while MacDonald fired six innings, yielding two runs on five hits and three walks. Jeremy Hill (2-0) got the win with an inning of relief, and Derell McCall (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs in one inning of work. Jon Meloan earned his seventh save with a scoreless ninth.

Four Ducks had two hits in the game to lead the way. Navarrete finished with three RBI, while Nelson and McOwen each added two.

The Ducks and Patriots continue their three-game set on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 6:05. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will take home Cow Bells, courtesy of the Leslie Munzer Neurological Institute. Right-hander and Baldwin native Joe Esposito takes the mound for Long Island against Somerset righty Justin Cassel.

Tickets for the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark Box Office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, or visiting www.liducks.com. Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action live on the radio at MyCountry 96.1 FM and online at LIDucks.com by clicking the Watch Live icon on the homepage. Streaming video and audio will be available courtesy of iBN, the Internet Broadcast Network.

Duck Tales: The victory was the seventh consecutive win for the Ducks at home to start the season, a new franchise record. The previous mark was five, done in 2002. Long Island won eight consecutive home games to begin the second half of 2011…With a run in the first, the Ducks have now scored first in ten consecutive games. In addition, the Flock have scored at least one run in either the first or second inning in seven consecutive contests…The two-hit game for James McOwen was his seventh two-hit game this season, good for second on the team. Lew Ford leads the way with eight…Ray Navarrete collected three RBI for the second consecutive game. He has now driven in ten runs this season…Matt Esquivel made his first start of the season for the Ducks after signing with Long Island on Wednesday. The Texas native hit .352 with nine homers and 40 RBI in 52 games at Bethpage Ballpark in 2011.

 GAME DATE: 05/18/2012 Somerset Patriots 7 AT Long Island Ducks 9 YTD YTD Somerset AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG J.Tucker 2B,CF 3 3 1 1 .358 K.Binick CF 3 2 1 0 .259 F.Bynum 2B 4 1 2 3 .271 B.Nelson 3B 4 2 2 2 .228 D.DeGeorge 2B 0 0 0 0 .143 J.McOwen LF 5 1 2 2 .306 J.Drennen CF,PH 1 0 0 0 .218 S.Williams RF 4 1 1 0 .444 F.Sandoval 1B 4 0 1 1 .225 R.Navarrete 1B 4 0 2 3 .247 A.Mathews LF 5 0 2 1 .282 M.Esquivel DH 3 0 1 0 .250 J.Nettles 3B 4 0 0 0 .261 W.Ortiz 2B 3 1 1 0 .289 A.Donachie C 5 0 1 0 .250 J.Johnson C 3 0 0 0 .240 L.Santangelo DH 4 0 3 0 .395 D.Lyons SS 3 2 2 1 .311 D.Mack RF 4 1 0 0 .154 R.Rundgren SS 5 2 1 0 .169 39 7 11 6 32 9 12 8 Somerset 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 1 0 - 7 11 0 L Island 1 0 1 0 0 0 4 3 x - 9 12 3 2B--A.Donachie (1), B.Nelson (3), J.McOwen (3). 3B--F.Bynum (2). RBI--J.Tucker (8), F.Bynum 3 (7), F.Sandoval (12), A.Mathews (16), B.Nelson 2 (14), J.McOwen 2 (7), R.Navarrete 3 (10), D.Lyons (11). HP--S.Williams (2), M.Esquivel (1). SH--J.Tucker (0), K.Binick (0), J.Johnson (0). SB--J.Tucker (4), R.Rundgren (1), K.Binick (6). E--W.Ortiz 2 (3), J.Johnson (1). LOB--Somerset 11, L Island 7. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Somerset M.MacDonald 6.0 5 2 2 3 1 0 4.15 T.Hose 0.1 1 2 2 1 1 0 5.79 C.Wright 0.1 1 2 2 0 1 0 6.30 C.Smith 0.1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.27 D.McCall (L,1-1) 1.0 4 3 3 0 0 0 5.40 8 12 9 9 4 4 0 L Island M.Loree 4.0 5 3 2 3 3 0 4.00 J.Monti 2.0 1 3 3 2 3 0 5.00 C.Graham 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6.75 J.Hill (W,2-0) 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 6.17 J.Meloan (S,7) 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0.69 9 11 7 6 5 7 0 WP--C.Wright (1), C.Smith (2). PB--J.Johnson. HB--M.MacDonald (2), C.Wright (2). SO--F.Sandoval 2, A.Mathews, A.Donachie 2, D.Mack, R.Rundgren, J.McOwen, S.Williams, M.Esquivel, J.Johnson. BB--J.Tucker, F.Sandoval, J.Nettles, L.Santangelo, D.Mack, K.Binick, B.Nelson, W.Ortiz, D.Lyons. BF--M.MacDonald 25 (93), T.Hose 3 (44), C.Wright 3 (46), C.Smith 2 (49), D.McCall 7 (58), M.Loree 21 (117), J.Monti 10 (76), C.Graham 4 (58), J.Hill 5 (53), J.Meloan 5 (52). P-S--M.MacDonald 79-45, T.Hose 14-7, C.Wright 8-6, C.Smith 9-7, D.McCall 19-14, M.Loree 83-49, J.Monti 45-28, C.Graham 11-8, J.Hill 13-9, J.Meloan 24-16. T--3:17. A--5031 Umpires: Plate Ump - Jeff Dugmore, Field Ump #1 - Marty Bauer, Field Ump #2 - David Mills