CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — The Ducks enjoyed an offensive explosion in Game 1 and a stellar performance from the staff ace in the nightcap of a double-header against Southern Maryland yesterday.

But the Ducks still walked away empty handed. Four pitchers surrendered 13 walks to lose a slugfest in the opener and closer Joe Valentine blew his first save of the season, allowing the Blue Crabs to score two runs in the top of the ninth for a 4-3 loss in Game 2.

Randy Leek did his best to fill the stopper role, giving up just two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings. Valentine picked up the final out in the eighth before struggling in the last frame as the Ducks were swept in the day-night twin-bill.

Damian Rolls belted a solo home run in the second to the put the Ducks ahead by three runs. Yet his error at third proved costly, allowing John Ramistella to reach first leading off the ninth. Valentine walked a batter and hit another to load the bases for Patrick Osborn, who tied the game via a RBI ground out.

Chad Ehrnsberger followed with a single to plate the go-ahead run, tagging Valentine for the loss. The Ducks nearly took its closer off the hook in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with nobody out before Matthew Schweitzer entered the contest.

The lefty closer came through in the clutch, striking out Rolls, Dennis Donovan and Jamal Strong to end the threat without surrendering the lead. Schweitzer picked up his third save thanks to his dominating effort.

“Not to make contact…it’s disappointing,” manager Dave LaPoint said. “We weren’t going for the tie. We were going for the win. It’s the timing of everything. We very easily could have won the first game and we should have won the second.”

Leek provided a welcome respite after the two clubs played a four-hour game in the afternoon session. His offense staked him to a 3-0 lead, a sizable advantage for a pitcher who hasn’t lost a regular season game at Citibank Park.

Carl Everett lined a RBI double and scored on Pete Rose Jr.’s sacrifice fly to jump on former big league pitcher Daniel Reichert in the first inning. Rolls added his solo shot the next inning to help his starter.

“That’s why it’s so disappointing because Leek came out and pitched his heart out,” Rolls said. “Joe came in and started it the right way and I booted it in the field. Things happen.”

Leek retired the first 12 batters while striking out four. Following a four-hour Game 1, the Levittown native also allowed just one walk in limiting the Blue Crabs to three hits before Terrence McClain lifted a two-run homer down the leftfield line with one out in the eighth.

George Sandel poked a two-out single to left to chase Leek. LaPoint called on Valentine to get the four-out save. Sandel was caught stealing to end the threat before the ninth-inning collapse.

Leek helped preserve a bullpen in need of rest following Jon Searles’ four-inning outing in Game 1. The Ducks will conclude a four-game series Sunday afternoon in a makeup of Thursday’s rainout.

“That’s why we love Randy,” LaPoint said. “We knew he was going to bring us into the game and not have to spend the bullpen two games in a row because we’re thin right now. We barely have any pitching. He did what he had to do.”

“Joe’s going to have a bad night every once in awhile and it happened to be tonight,” LaPoint added. Valentine entered with three saves and a 1.17 ERA. “We’re a good team. We’ll bounce back.”

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