Late Somerset Runs Too Much for Flock
July 18, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Steve McQuail Homers for the Long Island Ducks
(Long Island Ducks)
(Central Islip, N.Y., July 18, 2015) - The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Somerset Patriots 7-5 on Saturday night in the second game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
The Patriots opened up a quick 4-0 lead in the first inning against Ducks starter Ian Marshall. Michael Burgess drew a bases loaded walk for the first run. A fielder's choice off the bat of Greg Hopkins scored a second run, and a throwing error by Ducks third baseman Cody Puckett on the same play made it 3-0 Somerset. Mat Gamel's sacrifice fly rounded out the scoring in the top of the frame.
Steve McQuail cut the Somerset lead in half with a two-run homer for Long Island in the second against Patriots starter Sean Bierman. In the sixth, a throwing error by Somerset shortstop Robert Andino on a ball off the bat of Dan Lyons scored a run and made it 4-3 Patriots. Randy Ruiz tied the game with a long solo homer to left in the seventh. McQuail launched his second homer of the game in the eighth to put Long Island on top 5-4.
Somerset retook the lead in the ninth on Aharon Eggleston's two-run single to shallow left field off Ducks closer Ryan Kussmaul. David Vidal padded the advantage with a RBI double, making it a 7-5 ballgame. Jon Hunton finished off the win in the bottom of the ninth.
Anthony Collazo (3-0) earned the win, allowing one run on two hits in the eighth inning. Kussmaul (3-1) suffered the loss, surrendering two runs in the ninth with two strikeouts. Both starters took a no decision. Marshall pitched six innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Bierman also logged six frames, surrendering three runs (two earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out five.
McQuail finished with three hits, including two homers, three RBI, and two runs scored.
The Ducks wrap up their three-game set with Somerset on Sunday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 4:05 (3:50 for full season ticket holders). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Ducks Logo Baseballs, courtesy of AARP NY. It's also a Sunday Family Funday at the ballpark! Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph session with the Ducks. After the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Southpaw Darin Downs takes the mound for the Ducks against Patriots righty Lucas Irvine.
Tickets to the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX. Those unable to make the game can follow all of the action live online via the Ducks' official YouTube channel. Live streaming video and audio will be available.
###
Duck Tales: Steve McQuail launched two more home runs on Saturday night. The Wantagh native has gone deep four times in four games with the Flock, including three consecutive games. He becomes the fourth Duck this season to hit multiple homers in a single game. Cody Puckett (May 2), Jon Griffin (May 14) and Lew Ford (July 5) were the other three...Randy Ruiz's solo home run in the seventh inning was his fifth longball of the season in just 33 games. He has hit three of those five during the month of July, all of which have come against the Patriots. Last year, Ruiz hit nine homers in 45 games with the Ducks. Long Island has now hit 51 home runs as a team this season, which ranks third in the Atlantic League...With three hits, Ruiz has now earned at least one hit in 17 of his last 18 games. In that span, the former big leaguer is batting .368 (28-for-76) with four homers, 15 RBI and nine runs scored. He now has amassed two three-hit games this season and has multiple hits in 17 of his 33 games played with the Flock...Amalio Diaz worked a scoreless eighth inning. The right-hander has now allowed just two runs over his last 19 appearances, posting a 0.86 ERA in that span. He has given up just 12 hits and one walk over 21 innings in those games while striking out 24 batters...Saturday's crowd of 6,867 was the Ducks' sixth sold out crowd of the season. Long Island has now hosted 645 past-capacity crowds all-time, an Atlantic League record. In addition, the Ducks currently lead the league in average attendance at 5,142.
Images from this story
 Steve McQuail Homers for the Long Island Ducks |
Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2015
- Pounds And Pitching Lift Revs To Grand Victory - York Revolution
- One Swing Beats Barnstormers - Lancaster Stormers
- Late Somerset Runs Too Much for Flock - Long Island Ducks
- Late Rally Surges Camden to Victory - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bluefish Collect Seventeen Hits To Even Series With The Skeeters - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Patriots Rally Past Ducks with 7-5 Win - Somerset Patriots
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.
