(Photo courtesy of Thaddeus Sanders)
(Lancaster, Pa., Aug. 25, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Lancaster Stormers 14-10 on Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The Ducks jumped out in front 1-0 in the top half of the first inning courtesy of a Yonny Hernandez run-scoring single off Stormers starting pitcher Brady Tedesco. Lancaster tied the game at one a half inning later on Niko Hulsizer’s sacrifice fly versus Long Island starter Mike Montgomery. Three Flock runs gave the visitors a 4-1 advantage on a Hernandez RBI groundout and solo home runs from Alexis Pantoja and JC Encarnacion, but Lancaster went ahead 5-4 with four funs in the fourth by way of an Isan Diaz RBI single, Mason Martin solo home run and Chris Proctor two-run base hit.
Long Island plated a pair in the fifth to jump back out in front 6-5 thanks to run-scoring singles from Yoelquis Cespedes and Pantoja, but Lancaster tallied nine unanswered runs over the next four innings for a 14-6 cushion, highlighted by a Martin two-run tater, a Joe Stewart three-run shot and a solo roundtripper from Proctor. The Ducks scored four runs in the ninth on a Pantoja RBI fielder’s choice, a Heath two-run single and an RBI base knock from Hernandez, but the rally would come up just short as the Stormers were able to hang on for the triumph.
Tedesco tallied a no-decision after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits across an inning and a third on the mound, walking and striking out three. Jackson Rees (6-1) picked up the win with a scoreless inning of relief on two hits and three strikeouts. Montgomery (6-6) was tagged with the loss, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in four innings, walking one while striking out a season-high seven batters.
Heath had four hits, including a triple along with two runs batted in, a run scored and a stolen base, Hernandez had a pair of hits while driving in three and swiping a bag, and Pantoja had three hits and runs batted in and crossed the plate twice and notched his first home run in a Flock uniform.
The Ducks continue their road trip on Tuesday night when they open a three-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at WellSpan Park. Fans can follow all the action live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE. Right-hander Daniel Corcino (6-7, 5.08) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Revolution righty Michael Horrell (4-6, 5.53).
The Ducks return home on Friday, August 30, to begin a four-game set against the Lancaster Stormers. 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). The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive Bucket Hats, courtesy of Merch & Swag. It’s also a Tap Room Friday, and Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for 20% off your entire check and 50% off your first online or mobile app order as fans exit the ballpark. 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.
The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 711 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, 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. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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