Ducks Late Rally Eliminates Bees From First Half Playoff Contention
July 4, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
New Britain Bees News Release
(New Britain, CT) - The Long Island Ducks (30-32) defeated the New Britain Bees (32-30) 5-3 at New Britain Stadium on Independence Day to even up the three-game midweek series at a victory apiece. The loss gives the Somerset Patriots the 2018 First Half Liberty Division Championship in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
New Britain starting pitcher Andy Van Hekken registered a no-decision in the ballgame despite firing five and two-thirds scoreless innings on just five hits allowed, striking out five. Long Island starting pitcher Lee Sosa also did not factor in the game's final outcome, surrendering one run on one hit in two innings of work, walking and striking out two while tossing a wild pitch and hitting a batter.
New Britain took a 1-0 lead in the bottom half of the second inning versus Sosa when 2018 Liberty Division All-Star James Skelton plated Brock Stassi with a run-scoring single after Stassi led off the frame with a walk and later on in the rally stole second base for his first bag swiped in a Hardware City uniform. The Bees took a 3-0 lead in the home half of the fifth by way of an RBI base knock from Ozney Guillen and a run-scoring groundout by 2018 Liberty Division All-Star Deibinson Romero. New Britain enjoyed the three-run cushion all the way into the top of the eighth, but the Ducks were able to find an answer against the Bees bullpen, sending eight batters to the plate, scoring five runs to take the lead for good at 5-3, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run home run to left field off the bat of Taylor Ard against losing pitcher and 2018 Liberty Division All-Star Jim Fuller (0-1), making a winner out of Ashur Tolliver (1-2), who tossed an inning and a third of scoreless relief out of the Flock bullpen. Francisco Rodriguez shut the door on any dramatic Bees comeback in the bottom of the ninth to notch his 13th save of the season. Skelton and Stassi led the way for New Britain with two hits apiece. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.
The Bees conclude the First Half of the regular season when they face the Long Island Ducks at New Britain Stadium on Thursday, July 5th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Miller Lite Thirsty Thursday in the Hardware City, as fans 21 and over can enjoy three dollar domestic drafts all night long at any concession stand!
Atlantic League Stories from July 4, 2018
- Patriots Rally Late in Independence Day Matchup - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Barnstormers No-Hit By Road Warriors - Lancaster Stormers
- Five-Run Rally Stuns Bees on Independence Day - Long Island Ducks
- Somerset Patriots Clinch 2018 Liberty Division First Half Championship - Somerset Patriots
- Brandon Cumpton Contract Purchased by Toronto Blue Jays - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Ducks Late Rally Eliminates Bees From First Half Playoff Contention - New Britain Bees
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