First baseman drives in all three Ducks runs, but Skeeters come away with walk-off win
(Sugar Land, Texas, May 10, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters 4-3 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Constellation Field.
David Washington launched a leadoff solo home run to right field in the second inning off Skeeters starter Roy Merritt to give the Ducks an early lead. Alvaro Rondon responded in the bottom of the inning with a sac fly to center off Ducks starter Brett Marshall, scoring Courtney Hawkins and tying the game at one.
Sugar Land took a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning on an RBI double to left-center from Hawkins and a double-steal that plated Hawkins. However, a two-run homer to right by Washington in the sixth, his second longball of the night, tied the game at three.
It remained even until the bottom of the ninth inning. Hawkins reached on an infield single, went to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on an error and scored on a one-out base hit down the right field line by C.J. McElroy.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Marshall pitched six innings of three-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out seven. Merritt lasted six innings and allowed three runs as well, yielding seven hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Felipe Paulino (2-0) picked up the win after pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out two. Vin Mazzaro (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering the winning run on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
Washington led the Flock with two hits, three RBIs and two runs in the game.
The Ducks and Skeeters continue their three-game set on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT (7:05 p.m. EDT) at Constellation Field. Fans can follow all the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com, Facebook Live and the Ducks official YouTube channel. Left-hander Jake Fisher (1-1, 8.22) takes the mound for the Ducks against Skeeters righty Dallas Beeler (2-0, 3.60).
Long Island returns home on Friday, May 17, to begin a four-game series against the New Britain Bees. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). It will be Flashback Friday, and fans will be able to enjoy 2000 season pricing on select Ducks individual game tickets purchased via the team’s in-game vendors. Field box seats for future Ducks games will be just $9, while box seats will be only $8 (restrictions apply). In addition, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a free regular sub (no purchase necessary) and $2 off any size sub at Jersey Mike’s Subs to fans as they exit the ballpark. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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