With Second Half Underway, Long Island Overcomes 4-0 deficit for Win
After six games away, the Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 6-5 on Tuesday night in the opening game of a single admission doubleheader, in a contest that actually counted toward the first half standings of the 2021 season.
The Ducks have already clinched their first half title for a berth in the post-season playoffs.
The Blue Crabs struck for four runs in the first inning against Ducks starter Hunter Caudelle on a run-scoring error, a run-scoring passed ball and a two-run single by Rubi Silva. The Ducks answered back with four runs of their own in the third off Blue Crabs starter Sam Burton to tie the game. A sacrifice fly to right field by Steve Lombardozzi, a double-steal that scored Breland Almadova and a two-run homer to left by Deibinson Romero highlighted the inning.
Long Island took the lead in the fourth when Almadova’s RBI fielder’s choice scored Sal Giardina. A sac fly to left by Ryan Jackson in the fifth made it a 6-4 ballgame, although Southern Maryland closed to one on Bronson Butcher’s RBI double to center in the sixth.
Neither starter factored into the decision but Rob Griswold (4-0) picked up the win after recording the final out of the fourth inning, stranding two on base. Cody Strayer (0-2) took the loss, surrendering two unearned runs on a hit in three innings of relief. Danny Barnes picked up his fourth save with a 1-2-3 seventh inning, striking out one.
The scheduled Game Two of the doubleheader was postponed due to inclement weather and was set to be made up on Wednesday, August 11, as part of another double header.
“[Tonight] just shows you the resilience of the team. Fighting back, coming back and winning,” said Ducks Manager Wally Backman after Tuesday’s win.
“We’ve seen it before in 2019,” said Backman of the Ducks championship season before COVID-19 shut down play. “These guys fight the whole time. They want to win games. It’s nice to have a ballclub that just doesn’t quit,” he added.
Fields Leads July Offense
The Atlantic League named Ducks outfielder Daniel Fields as Player of the Month for July.
The outfielder led all Atlantic League players during July with a .417 batting average, totaling 25 hits in 60 at bats. He ranked third in the league with a .700 slugging percentage and fourth with a .507 on-base percentage during the month as well. The third-year Duck added eight doubles, three home runs, 21 RBIs, 14 runs and nine walks.
Fields’ month of July was highlighted by a 13-game on-base streak from July 11-27. During the streak, he posted a .474 batting average (18-for-38) with five doubles, three homers, 17 RBIs, 12 runs and a .565 on-base percentage. In his 22 games played during July, the 30-year-old raised his season batting average from .169 to .288 and his on-base percentage from .325 to .411.
High Point Rockers right-handed pitcher Cooper Casad was chosen as the Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month for July.
Meanwhile Joe Iorio rose in the League’s statistice, tied for second with seven wins, and third with a 4.04 ERA.
Overall, team play left the Ducks with the best first-half record at 36-23.
Post-Season Tickets
Tickets for each of Long Island’s home games in the upcoming Atlantic League playoffs are on sale Thursday.
By winning the first half North Division title, the Ducks a playoff start at the Duck Pond! This year’s North Division Series will be best-of-three, with Long Island hosting Game One at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on Monday, October 11, at 6:35 p.m.
Games Two, and Three (if necessary), will be on the road on Tuesday, October 12, and Wednesday, October 13, at the home field of the second half division champion or wild card winner.
If the Ducks advance, they’ll host Games One and Two of the best-of-five Atlantic League Championship Series. Those games would take place on Friday, October 15, and Saturday, October 16, both at 6:35 p.m.
