(Photo courtesy of Jim McKenzie)
(Frederick, Md., Aug. 2, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Spire City Ghost Hounds 11-9 in 10 innings on Wednesday night in the middle game of a three-game series at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium.
Spire City took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Craig Dedelow’s solo home run to right field off Ducks starter Matt Solter. Osvaldo Abreu’s solo homer to left in the second doubled the Ghost Hounds lead to two.
Long Island tied the game at two in the sixth against Ghost Hounds starter Dustin Beggs on Ruben Tejada’s RBI single to left-center and Alejandro De Aza’s sacrifice fly to center. However, Raudy Read’s solo homer to left and Leobaldo Cabrera’s RBI single to right in the bottom of the frame put Spire City back in front.
The Ghost Hounds plated four in the seventh, highlighted by Jose Marmolejos’ solo homer and RBI singles from Starlin Castro and Cabrera, to take an 8-2 lead. The Ducks answered with four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Tejada’s RBI single, De Aza’s RBI double and Sam Travis’ sac fly, to close the gap to two. A double play that scored Brantley Bell and a bases loaded walk by Alex Dickerson in the ninth then tied the game at eight.
A three-run 10th gave the Ducks the lead at 11-8. Bell and Joe DeCarlo scored on errors, while De Aza picked up an RBI single. Dedelow came home on a double and an error in the bottom of the 10th, but Spire City could not pull even.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Solter lasted five and one-third innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four. Beggs threw seven innings, yielding two unearned runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts. Kevin Quackenbush (5-2) earned the win after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two. Victor Capellan (1-1) took the loss, giving up five runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks in two innings. Al Alburquerque picked up his sixth save, yielding an unearned run on a hit in the 10th with two strikeouts.
De Aza led the Ducks offense with three hits, three RBIs, a run and a walk. Tejada added three hits, three RBIs and a run.
The Ducks and Ghost Hounds wrap up their three-game series on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. Fans can follow all the action live on Flo Baseball by CLICKING HERE. Left-hander Kyle Lobstein (2-2, 4.63) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Ghost Hounds southpaw Zac Rosscup (1-1, 3.24).
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, August 8, to begin a three-game set against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. 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). 1969 World Series champion New York Mets first baseman Ed Kranepool will be making an appearance at the ballpark. Kranepool will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and then sign autographs for fans outside the Waddle In Shop to promote his new book, which will be available for purchase in the store. He will be signing autographs for the first three innings of the game. It’s also a Triple Play Tuesday at the ballpark, and if the Ducks turn a triple play during the game, one lucky fan will win $25,000. Tickets to the game, and all home games, are available 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. 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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