Heath's Four-Hit Night Leads Ducks Over Stormers
July 26, 2024 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y.) - The Long Island Ducks defeated the Lancaster Stormers 7-4 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Long Island took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first inning on Frank Schwindel's two-out, two-run home run to left centerfield off Lancaster starting pitcher Brady Tedesco. The Stormers cut the Flock's lead in half at 2-1 in the third on a leadoff roundtripper to left off the bat of Joe Stewart versus Ducks starter Wei-Yin Chen.
The Ducks went ahead 4-1 in the fifth on a JC Encarnacion run-scoring base hit and a sacrifice fly produced by Ryan McBroom. Long Island added three more runs in the sixth to open up a 7-1 advantage, highlighted by a two-run single from Ivan Castillo as the former Big Leaguer extended his hitting streak to ten consecutive ballgames while also now having reached base safely in 12 straight contests. The Stormers plated a pair of runs in the eighth to get to within 7-3 on a Niko Hulsizer RBI single and a walk with the bases loaded issued to Gaige Howard. Hulsizer's run-scoring base knock in the ninth got the visitors to within 7-4, but Ramon Santos shut the door as the right-hander induced Howard to line out to Manuel Geraldo at third base to notch his seventh save of the season.
Chen (5-5) collected the victory, allowing just one run on five hits across six innings pitched while striking out six to match a single-game season-high as the southpaw notched his fourth quality start on the campaign. Tedesco (0-3) was tagged with the loss, giving up seven runs on eleven hits (one home run) in five innings of work, walking three and striking out four.
Nick Heath finished the evening a home run away from the cycle as the outfielder became the sixth Ducks player this season with a four-hit performance with two singles, a double, a triple and three runs scored.
The Ducks and Stormers continue their three-game series on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Amazon. It's also a Long Island MacArthur Airport Lucky Seat Saturday! During the game, one lucky fan will win two round trip tickets on Breeze Airways to any of their six non-stop destinations from MacArthur Airport. Right-hander Stephen Woods Jr. (5-4, 5.35) gets the start for the Ducks against Stormers left-hander Max Green (8-4, 4.89).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on FloBaseball.
• Discuss this story on the Atlantic League message board...
Atlantic League Stories from July 26, 2024
- Rockers Win Over Blue Crabs - High Point Rockers
- Legends' Offense Soars Past Ferryhawks 14-9 - Lexington Legends
- Patrick Bertoletti Wins Inaugural Chicken Nugget Eating Championship - Long Island Ducks
- Heath's Four-Hit Night Leads Ducks Over Stormers - Long Island Ducks
- Stormers Lack Big Hit, Fall At Long Island - Lancaster Stormers
- Revs Edge Stormers with Exhilarating Finish in Extras - York Revolution
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.
