Long Island Express
September 24, 2006 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 24, 2006) - The Ducks have five players that have called the Island their home for their entire life. In Long Island's final regular season home game of 2006, all five contributed to the Flock's 9-7 come-from-behind victory over the Riversharks on Sunday afternoon. Long Island opens up the 2006 Atlantic League playoffs on Tuesday night at Bridgeport and will return home for Game Two of the North Division Championship Series on Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. Game Three (if necessary) will be played at Citibank Park on Thursday evening.
Massapequa Park native Rob Cafiero, Connetquot standout Dominick Ambrosini and Massapequa's Kevin Haverbusch each finished the afternoon with a pair of hits. Haverbusch's two hits were both doubles and Smithtown native Greg Connors scored the game-winning run in the eighth. Syosset native Kevin Mannix (2-1) picked up the win after allowing six runs, two of which were earned, on nine hits over seven innings of work.
Trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Long Island erupted for three runs on four hits to take the lead for good. They added a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth to wrap up their tally at nine.
After an off-day on Monday, the Ducks will head to Bridgeport to take on the Bluefish in Game One of the Atlantic League North Division Playoffs at 6:35 p.m. Righty Pat Ahearne (12-4) will head to the hill against Bridgeport's T.J. Mathews (12-7). Chris King and David Weiss will broadcast the game in progress from Harbor Yard starting at 6:50 p.m. on WLIE (540 AM) and on www.liducks.com. Tickets are still available for all four potential Ducks playoff home games can be purchased by stopping by the Citibank Park Box Office in person (M-F, 10-6; Saturdays 10-2), visiting www.liducks.com or by calling 631-940-TIXX today.
Duck Tales...With today's victory the Ducks finished the season with the second best record in franchise history (73-53), and best record under manager Don McCormack...After not factoring into a decision in his first 35 appearances of 2006, Kevin Mannix picked up two wins and a loss in his last three regular season appearances...After pinch hitting for right fielder Kevin Haverbusch in the seventh inning, Pat Mahomes took over in right field, occupying a position other than pitcher for the second time this season...This afternoon's crowd of 6,197 raises the total to 3,056,416 fans that have enjoyed baseball at Citibank Park since April of 2000.
The Long Island Ducks are in their seventh season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. They have averaged over 100 percent attendance capacity of 6,002-seat Citibank Park in each of their first six seasons and are one of the most successful minor league sports franchises in the country. For further information, visit www.liducks.com or call 631-940-DUCK.
Atlantic League Stories from September 24, 2006
- Patriots Finish 2006 Season With 2-1 Win - Somerset Patriots
- Bears downed by Surf in season finale - Newark Bears
- Barnstormers wrap up second half title, 12-2 - Lancaster Stormers
- Long Island Express - Long Island Ducks
- Surf closes regular season with 11-5 win - Atlantic City Surf
- Bluefish drop finale, head to playoffs - Bridgeport Bluefish
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