Ducks Strike Easly and Often on the 'Fish

by: Gary Harding | Staff Writer - NY Sports Day | Sunday, May 25, 2008



CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - In the first five matches against the Bridgeport Bluefish this season before today, the Long Island Ducks have surrendered 58 runs. Especially in the first two games of this series, the visitors from Connecticut have taken advantage in of Long Island starters, especially in the first few innings, accumulating leads that they would not vanquish.

After losing the first two of this series, Long Island decided to change the roles, and became the attackers. Scoring in each of the first six innings, the Ducks bats were awake on Sunday, wreaking havoc on Bluefish pitchers. On the strength of two Carl Everett home runs - with the latter being a Grand Slam - the Ducks (14-15) came away with a 19-6 victory over the Bluefish (14-15), in front of 6,211 at Citibank Park.

Everett, among the top 10 in batting average (.369) hit a solo shot off Bridgeport starter Carlos Castillo (0-2), in the first, and hit a massive shot to right in the 5th off Chris Eikhorst. Everett has been on base for 20 consecutive games.

“He is so comfortable at the plate right now, and proves to be a leader every day in the clubhouse”, said Ducks interim manager Bud Harrelson with skipper Dave LaPoint away, attending his son’s college graduation.

Every Ducks starter got at least one hit. Only P.J. Rose did not get a run batted in. Kevin Haverbusch stroked his second home run of the season and had three of the sixteen hits of Bluefish pitching.

Estee Harris, a native of Central Islip, blasted the third pitch of the game for Long Island over the right center field fence giving the Ducks the lead. He also drove in a run on a fielders choice, scored three runs, and stole two bases.

“Carl (Everett) has been such a great mentor for Estee”, said Harrelson. “He has worked with him, and worked on getting his confidence up and keep an even keel at the plate.”

Ducks starter Randy Leek (2-1), gave up a run in the second with only one hit out of four in the inning reaching the outfield. Leek pitched seven strong innings, striking out six and walking none. The former MacArthur High School General from Levittown, has been one of the more consistent starters on the Ducks over the past two seasons, with a WHIP of just under 1.00.

“The bullpen has been overworked of late, so with a big lead like that, it’s my job keep throwing strikes”, said Leek. “I had a game plan to keep the hitters off the plate, get inside a little bit, and keep them guessing.”

With this victory, the Ducks are back to a virtual tie with Bridgeport, six games behind Liberty Division leading Camden. At the 40% mark for the first half, there is still time to chip into the division lead.

“The upcoming road trip (four in Lancaster, and three in Southern Maryland), is very important. A game like this, will give the guys some real confidence for next week. Good things.”

And that’s what they are hoping for next week.

Notes: In each of the first six innings, the Ducks got the first man on base. Those runners subsequently scored. P.J. Rose’s consecutive RBI streak ended at seven. Rob Cafiero, part time player and coach, pitched the ninth inning, allowing three runs on three hits, to raise his ERA from 0.00 to 6.75. Bridgeport’s Luis Lopez who went four for four against the Ducks in Saturday night’s contest, went zero for five today. Jamal Strong made the unusual in the score sheet registering a sacrifice fly to second base and a RBI. Actually, the second baseman for Bridgeport was unable to catch the fly ball, (it was called infield fly rule), but P.J. Rose smartly came down the third base line to score Long Island’s first of four runs in the third inning. The Ducks leave after the game, for a seven day road trip to Lancaster and Waldorf, MD, before returning home on Jun. 2 for a seven game home stand against Somerset and Newark.