(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 17, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 4-3 on Saturday night in the middle game of a three-game series before a past-capacity crowd of 6,143 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Juan Kelly gave the Blue Crabs a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single to right field. Long Island answered with four runs in the second off Blue Crabs starter AJ Candelario, highlighted by RBI singles from Nick Heath and Leobaldo Cabrera plus an RBI double from Yonny Hernandez.
Kelly trimmed the Ducks lead to 4-2 in the fourth with a solo homer to right field off Ducks starter Nick Tropeano. Southern Maryland plated an unearned run in the eighth on Kelly’s RBI fielder’s choice to first, but they were unable to pull even.
Tropeano (2-0) earned the win, tossing five innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four. Candelario (1-2) took the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits and two walks in seven innings with five strikeouts. Sal Romano picked up his first save of the season with four innings of relief, conceding one unearned run on five hits while striking out five.
Hernandez led the Ducks offense with three hits, an RBI and a run. Heath added a hit, an RBI and a run.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs wrap up their three-game set on Sunday evening. Game time is slated for 5:05 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 4:05 (3:50 for full season ticket holders). It’s Jewish Heritage Night, presented by the Jewish Community Centers of Long Island, and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Commemorative Baseballs. The Ducks will also be wearing special uniforms during the game, with the jerseys being auctioned off via the LiveSource Mobile App. It’s also a Sunday Family Funday, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, featuring a pregame Catch on the Field and postgame Kids Run the Bases. Left-hander Mike Montgomery (6-4, 4.19) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Garrett Martin (5-7, 4.92).
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 FloBaseball by 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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