Missed Opportunities Doom Ducks in Game One
Published on September 23, 2015 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Sean Burroughs of the Long Island Ducks
(Long Island Ducks)
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2015) - The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Somerset Patriots 5-3 on Wednesday night in Game One of the 2015 Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. The Patriots now lead the best-of-five series one game to none.
Somerset opened the scoring in the first, taking a 1-0 lead on a RBI triple from Michael Burgess off Ducks starter John Brownell. The Ducks tied the ballgame in the second against Patriots starter Roy Merritt on a run-scoring throwing error by second baseman Greg Hopkins. Sean Burroughs put the Ducks in front 2-1 with a RBI single in the third. A solo homer from Matt Fields in the fourth helped Somerset pull even.
The Patriots used a three-run fifth to take a 5-2 advantage. A RBI single from Thomas Neal and a two-run homer from Burgess did the damage. Long Island scratched out a run in the seventh on a run-scoring wild pitch thrown by Patriots reliever Buddy Boshers. However, they could not close the gap.
Brownell (0-1) suffered the loss. He allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings while walking and striking out two. Merritt (1-0) earned the win, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits in six frames. He walked and struck out three. Jon Hunton picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning. Nick Struck, Patrick Crider, Mariel Checo, Ricardo Gomez, and J.C. Romero combined to hold the Patriots scoreless over the final three frames.
Fehlandt Lentini and Burroughs each finished with three hits in the loss. Lentini scored one run while Burroughs drove in one run.
The Ducks will host Game Two of the best-of-five Liberty Division Championship Series on Thursday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive "Drive to the Title" Rally Towels, courtesy of News 12. Prior to the game, the Ducks will be hosting a food drive in conjunction with Island Harvest Food Bank. Fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items by dropping them off in the collection bins located on the plaza outside the ballpark.
Tickets to the game and all Ducks home playoff 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 on the Ducks' official YouTube channel. Streaming video and audio will be available online.
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Duck Tales: Fehlandt Lentini and Sean Burroughs both had three hits to lead the Ducks offensively. During the regular season, Burroughs collected seven three-hit contests while Lentini had six. Overally, Burroughs ended the season with 15 multi-hit games, while Lentini compiled 17 in his second season with the Flock...Five Ducks relievers combined to throw three scoreless innings to close out the game. Nick Struck, Patrick Crider, Mariel Checo, Ricardo Gomez and J.C. Romero combined to give up just two hits and one walk in that span while striking out five batters. Struck ended the regular season with 14 scoreless appearances in his last 15 outings, while Romero tossed seven straight scoreless outings and did not give up a run in 11 of his last 12 games...Wednesday marked just the second time in franchise history that the Ducks lost a game one at home. The only other instance came in 2008 when Long Island dropped Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series 5-1 to Camden. The Ducks had won four consecutive Game One matchups at home before this year.
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 Sean Burroughs of the Long Island Ducks |
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