(Central Islip, N.Y., June 30, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Staten Island FerryHawks 9-7 in waddle-off fashion on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Staten Island took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Brandon Pugh’s solo home run to right field off Ducks starter Joe Iorio. A three-run second inning, including sacrifice flies from Matt Winaker and Angel Aguilar along with an RBI single by Kevin Krause, made it a 4-0 game. Chance Sisco cut the Ducks deficit in half in the bottom of the second on a two-run homer to left-center off FerryHawks starter Ivan Pineyro.
A sac fly to center by Kueber in the third and an RBI double by Winaker in the fifth pushed the FerryHawks lead back up to four at 6-2. Joe DeCarlo’s RBI single in the sixth closed the gap to three, but Kueber’s RBI single in the seventh made it a 7-3 ballgame.
Long Island tied the game at seven in the seventh on a three-run home run to right field by Alex Dickerson and a solo homer to left by Brantley Bell. The Ducks then won it with two outs in the ninth when Sisco crushed a walk-off two-run home run over the right field fence.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Iorio lasted one and two-thirds innings, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Pineyro pitched six innings, yielding three runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Al Alburquerque (2-0) collected the win after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out two. Williams Ramirez (0-1) took the loss, conceding two runs on a hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Dickerson led the Flock with three hits, three RBIs and two runs. Sisco added two homers, four RBIs, two runs and a walk, while Brian Goodwin and Ruben Tejada each had two hits and a walk.
The Ducks and FerryHawks continue their four-game series on Saturday night. 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). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular. It’s also a Lucky Seat Saturday, presented by Long Island MacArthur Airport. During the game, the Ducks will be selecting a lucky fan in the ballpark, who will win two roundtrips on Breeze Airways to any of their six non-stop destinations from Long Island MacArthur Airport. Left-hander McKenzie Mills (0-1, 9.64) takes the mound for the Ducks against a FerryHawks starter to be determined.
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE.
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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