Barnstormer bats strike early to take opener

(Lancaster, Penn., April 23, 2013) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers 8-2 on Tuesday night in the first game of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster struck early for six runs in the opening inning off Ducks starter Bill Murphy. A two-run single by Daryle Ward and a two-run homer to right by Kody Kirkland highlighted the scoring. A RBI double by Kevin Howard in the fourth and a solo homer to left by Joe Mather in the fifth stretched the lead to eight.

Long Island got on the scoreboard in the seventh thanks to Bryant Nelson’s solo home run to right, his first longball of the season. Danny Perales drove home his first run with a RBI double in the eighth, but that was as close as the Ducks would come.

Barnstormers starter Will Savage (1-0) earned the win, allowing just two hits while striking out two in five innings of work. Murphy (0-2) suffered the loss after surrendering eight runs on seven hits and four walks in five innings.

Nelson led the Flock with two hits at the plate while Long Island native Pete Budkevics struck out four over two innings in his Ducks debut.

The Ducks and Barnstormers continue their three-game set on Wednesday night. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. from Clipper Magazine Stadium. Right-hander John Brownell gets the start for Long Island against Lancaster righty Dwayne Pollok. Fans can follow all the action live online, with streaming audio available on the Ducks’ official YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ducksbaseball.

The Ducks return home on Friday, April 26 for the 2013 home opener against the Skeeters. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 6:05. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Replica Championship Rings, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son. Prior to the game, the Ducks will also host a Championship Ring and Banner Raising Ceremony to celebrate the team’s 2012 Atlantic League championship. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 6:30 to enjoy this special moment in Ducks history.

Tickets for the game and all Ducks regular season home games are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX or by CLICKING HERE.

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 GAME DATE: 04/23/2013 Long Island Ducks 2 AT Lancaster Barnstormers 8 YTD YTD L Island AB R H BI AVG Lancaster AB R H BI AVG D.Perales CF 4 0 1 1 .250 J.Owens DH 3 1 1 0 .429 A.Bailey RF 4 0 1 0 .190 K.Howard SS 5 1 3 1 .333 R.Navarrete DH 4 0 0 0 .158 B.Gailen CF 4 1 0 0 .214 R.Castro C 4 0 0 0 .250 T.Denker 2B 3 1 1 1 .385 B.Nelson 3B 4 1 2 1 .200 R.Harvey RF 4 0 1 0 .222 J.Brodin 1B 4 0 0 0 .176 D.Ward 1B 4 1 1 2 .083 R.Kiniry LF 3 0 1 0 .167 J.Mather LF 3 1 1 2 .231 G.Suarez 2B 3 0 1 0 .300 K.Kirkland 3B 4 1 1 2 .231 D.Lyons SS 4 1 1 0 .167 P.Paramore C 3 1 1 0 .300 34 2 7 2 33 8 10 8 L Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 - 2 7 0 Lancaster 6 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 - 8 10 1 2B--D.Perales (2), K.Howard (2), P.Paramore (1). HR--B.Nelson (1), J.Mather (1), K.Kirkland (1). RBI--D.Perales (1), B.Nelson (1), K.Howard (5), T.Denker (3), D.Ward 2 (3), J.Mather 2 (2), K.Kirkland 2 (3). SF--J.Mather (1). SB--J.Owens (2). E--K.Kirkland (1). LOB--L Island 7, Lancaster 7. DP--T. Denker(2B) - K. Howard(SS) - D. Ward(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA L Island B.Murphy (L,0-2) 5.0 7 8 8 4 4 2 8.10 P.Budkevics 2.0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0.00 R.Jones 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 8 10 8 8 5 9 2 Lancaster W.Savage (W,1-0) 5.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 B.Grening 2.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 1.80 R.Hinton 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4.50 N.Reed 1.0 1 0 0 2 2 0 0.00 9 7 2 2 2 5 1 WP--N.Reed (1). SO--R.Castro 2, R.Kiniry, G.Suarez, D.Lyons, J.Owens 2, K.Howard, B.Gailen, T.Denker, R.Harvey 2, J.Mather, P.Paramore. BB--R.Kiniry, G.Suarez, J.Owens 2, B.Gailen, T.Denker, P.Paramore. BF--B.Murphy 26 (47), P.Budkevics 8 (8), R.Jones 5 (8), W.Savage 18 (18), B.Grening 7 (19), R.Hinton 5 (10), N.Reed 6 (9). P-S--B.Murphy 98-62, P.Budkevics 29-17, R.Jones 24-13, W.Savage 61-38, B.Grening 25-18, R.Hinton 15-10, N.Reed 28-17. T--2:34. A--2960 Umpires: Plate Ump - Aaron Freeman, Field Ump #1 - Billy Huffstedler, Field Ump #3 - Chase Edmonson