Ducks Win Second Half Title
Published on September 18, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 18, 2011) -The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Bethpage Ballpark to win the Second Half Liberty Division title.
Bridgeport scratched across a run in the third inning on a RBI single to left by Luis Lopez off Ducks' starter Chris McCoy. Long Island answered back with three runs in the fourth against Bluefish starter Julio Manon. Eight men came to the plate, with a RBI double by Matt Esquivel and RBI singles by Matt Padgett and Dan Lyons doing the damage.
Two more runs in the seventh inning against Bluefish reliever Chris Rivera extended the lead to 5-1. Kennard Jones had a RBI double to left and Ray Navarrete lifted a sac fly to right.
McCoy (3-1) went five innings to pick up the win, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five. Manon (0-5) lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks.
John Rodriguez led the Flock with four hits at the plate while Lyons chipped in with two.
The Ducks will begin the 2011 Atlantic League playoffs on Wednesday, September 21 with Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series. Game time is slated for 6:35 PM, with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Rally Towels, courtesy of News 12 Long Island. Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza.
Tickets for the game and all home playoff games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, going online to www.liducks.com or calling (631) 940-TIXX. Fans unable to make the game can follow all the action live online at www.liducks.com by clicking the Watch Live icon on the homepage. Streaming video and audio will be provided by iBN, the Internet Broadcast Network.
###
Duck Tales: The Second Half Championship marks the first time in franchise history that the Ducks won both the first and second half titles. Long Island won the First Half title this season when they defeated York 7-4 on July 4. It is the Ducks' fifth Second Half title in team history and first since 2009The Ducks also clinched the best record in the Atlantic League with an overall mark of 78-47. It marks the first time the Ducks ever finished the season with the league's best record. Chris McCoy was outstanding for his second consecutive spot start. In the two starts, he is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, allowing just two runs over 12 innings of work and striking out sevenKennard Jones extended his on-base streak at home to 40 consecutive games with a RBI double. It is the longest home on-base streak in the Atlantic League this season The triple by Dan Lyons in the seventh inning was his fourth of the season and the Ducks' 30th in 2011, which leads the Atlantic League. The most triples ever in a single season by the Ducks was 36, accomplished in 2001.
Atlantic League Stories from September 18, 2011
- Revs Notch One More Victory In Final Postseason Tuneup - York Revolution
- Patriots Season Ends in Shutout Loss - Somerset Patriots
- Loree Voted MVP by Fans - Long Island Ducks
- Riversharks Finish Strong, Win Season Finale - Camden Riversharks
- Barnstormers Close Season On Seguignol Single - Lancaster Stormers
- Ducks Win Second Half Title - Long Island Ducks
- K'd to Death - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
