(Photo courtesy of Joe Doll)
(Staten Island, N.Y., May 8, 2025) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Staten Island FerryHawks 3-1 on Thursday morning in the rubber game of a three-game series at Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health Community Park.
Long Island jumped out in front 1-0 in the second inning on Justin O’Conner’s RBI single versus Staten Island starting pitcher Morgan McSweeney. The FerryHawks tied the game at one in the sixth by way of an RBI double off the bat of Drew Maggi against Ducks reliever Bernardo Flores.
The Flock took the lead for good in the seventh thanks to a two-out, two-run single to the opposite field in left produced by Cody Thomas that plated O’Conner and Jack Lynch after O’Conner began the rally with a leadoff double while Lynch followed two batters later with a walk all coming against Staten Island reliever Connor Higgins. Peyton Williams shut the door in the ninth with a scoreless frame for his first save of the campaign.
Neither starter factored in the outcome, as Long Island pitcher Mitchell Senger tossed five scoreless innings on two hits allowed, walking five and striking out four. McSweeney gave up one run on three hits in five innings of work, walking and striking out two. Flores (1-0) notched his first victory in a Ducks uniform, surrendering one run on one hit in two innings pitched, walking two while striking out three. Higgins (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on two hits in one inning on the mound, walking and striking out two. O’Conner had two hits, including a double, while Troy Viola had an infield single, a double, a run scored, a walk and a pair of stolen bases.
Long Island returns home on Friday, May 9, to open a three-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). It’s a Tap Room Friday, and Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons with a special offer to save $15 when spending $50 or more (dine-in) and one (1) free appetizer when spending $30 or more (delivery/pick-up) from The Tap Room to fans as they exit the ballpark. Left-hander Zach Plesac (1-0, 9.00) gets the start for the Ducks against Stormers right-hander Matt Swarmer (0-1, 12.00). Tickets to the game and all Ducks games are now available and can be purchased by visiting the ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on FloBaseball. Sign up today by CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are entering their 25th Anniversary 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, have led all MLB Partner Leagues in total attendance for four consecutive seasons, and have sold out a record 713 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 26-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its 10 family-friendly ballparks that stretch from New York to North Carolina. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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