(Waldorf, Md. July 9, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 4-3 Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium.
The Ducks (3-4; 39-38) scored two pitches into the game when Fehlandt Lentini crushed a Brian Grening fastball over the wall in left for a leadoff home run. Two batters later, Lew Ford deposited a pitch over the wall in left center for Long Island’s second homer of the frame, and Marc Krauss added a third round-tripper to extend a 3-0 lead.
Southern Maryland (4-2; 42-33) responded in the bottom of the second against John Brownell, with Brian Bistagne connecting for a two-run double to narrow the gap to 3-2. The Blue Crabs tied the game at three in the bottom of the third on a Cory Vaughn sacrifice fly.
In the top of the fifth the Ducks regained the lead when Lentini legged out an infield single, and a throwing error allowed him to advance to third. Delta Cleary Jr. lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Lentini and give Long Island a 4-3 edge.
Brownell (7-1) threw his fourth-straight quality start, and his 10th overall on the season. The righty tossed seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out seven. Grening (7-3) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on 10 hits in eight innings. David Aardsma tossed a 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock down his seventh save of the season.
Lentini led the Ducks by going 3-for-5 with a home run, an RBI and two runs scored.
Long Island returns home following the Atlantic League All-Star break on Friday, July 14 to begin a three-game series against the Somerset Patriots. 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). It’s Anti-Bullying Night at the ballpark, and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Commemorative Pennants, courtesy of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying. It’s also a Fowl Pole Friday, and fans have a chance to win $50,000 if a select Ducks player hits a home run off one of the foul poles. In addition, if the Patriots player designated as the K-Man strikes out during the game, all fans will receive a coupon good for a free 1-topping personal pizza at a participating Pizza Hut location. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.