By Jacob Infald
CENTRAL ISLIP – It was a season-high 5 RBI day for Long Island Ducks’ first baseman Marcus Chui and a seven run seventh inning behind some patient at-bats that led the Ducks to a resounding 15-7 victory over the Lancaster Stormers on the Ducks’ annual Camp Day.
It did not take long for Chui to have an impact on this game. In the bottom of the first, he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and nobody out. With Stormers’ starting pitcher already on the ropes, Chui came through, taking a ball on the outer half of the plate to right field. The high fly ball carried over the fence and the campers in attendance had something to cheer about.
While the high temperatures kept some camps from attending, the campers in attendance were enthusiastic throughout the game, chanting the names of the players and demonstrating overall support and interest in the hometown team.
“It means a lot to us for them to come out here,” Chui told The Messenger. “That’s the next generation of baseball so we want to play hard, make sure they enjoy the game, and have a good memory of going to the baseball game.”
Unfortunately for the Ducks, this early lead and excitement was short-lived. Ducks starter, left-hander Nick Margevicius struggled in his Ducks debut. Margevicius, who has three seasons of Major League experience from 2019-2021 pitching for the San Diego Padres and Seatle Mariners, last pitched this season in the Minor League system of the San Francisco Giants before having to rehab an injury.
After striking out the first two batters in the top of the second, he surrendered seven consecutive two-out hits, culminating in a three-run blast over the wall in right-center by Tristen English to give the Stormers a 6-3 lead.
Despite the rough debut, Ducks manager Lew Ford was encouraged by what he saw from the former Major Leaguer including his velocity which was up to 93 mph.
“I thought he started off very well,” Ford told The Messenger. “I think he got a little tired. It was hot out there today, and we did want to get him some pitches, we wanted to get his pitch count up to build off for next time.”
The Ducks were able to stay in the game thanks to three strong innings out of the bullpen by right-hander Ryan Langford. Despite allowing leadoff hits in both the fourth and fifth innings, Langford held the door strong, giving the Ducks an opportunity to eventually begin to chip away.
In the bottom of the second, third baseman Ian Yetsko hit a rope to right-center field for a solo home run that gave both his team and his fans energy after the struggles of the top of the inning.
Three innings later, the Ducks were able to move back in front, courtesy of another big-time hit from Chiu. After a leadoff double by centerfielder Terrell Tatum that hit off the glove of Joseph Carpenter in right and a perfectly executed hit-and-run by catcher Gavin Collins, Chiu once again was up in an important position with nobody out.
It only took one pitch for Chiu to connect, hitting a line drive over third base down the left field line, Tatum scored and Collins advanced to third, and the score was tied at six apiece.
“Just find a good pitch to hit,” said Chui when asked about his approach with runners in scoring position. “Sometimes that can be the first pitch that you get, but just not trying to do too much, just score at least one guy.”
Collins would eventually score via an RBI groundout from left fielder Aaron Takacs to give the Ducks a 7-6 lead.
Two innings later, with the score now 7-7, the Ducks were able to break through for a seven-run inning behind five walks and five wild pitches. The inning began with an infield single from second baseman Alsander Womack. Womack hit a soft line drive down the first base line. Nathan Martorella knocked the ball down, but Womack hustled down the line, sliding into first to beat Stormers’ pitcher Lenny Torres to the base. This was Womack’s second hit of the game as he extended his hitting streak to 11 games.
After Womack, the Ducks would draw five consecutive walks, including one by Chiu, resulting in a 10 batter stretch where every Duck reached base. After a sacrifice fly later in the inning by Womack, the Ducks were comfortably in front with a 14-7 lead.
Chiu said it was easy for himself and his teammates to be patient at the plate during this seventh inning rally because of the trust that they have in each other.
“If I don’t get the job done, I trust that Takacs is going to get the job done and that’s such a blessing to have in a lineup, and that’s one through nine.”
After two scoreless innings from reliever Kristian Scott and an insurance RBI from Wilmer Difo in the eighth, the Ducks were able to secure the 15-7 victory.
The Ducks improved to 8-3 in the second half of the season and sit just a half a game behind the first place York Revolution in the North Division second half standings. The Ducks will need to win their division in the second half to secure a spot in the Atlantic League playoffs.
