The Ducks weren’t in it tonight. Not after a five-run Somerset third inning, which lead the way to a 7-1 Patriot win in Game 1 of the Liberty Division Championship Series.
And that’s a shame, because even though it’s just one game, the Ducks now face a deep hole, after pitching John Brownell, who probably was their best pitcher.
Manager Kevin Baez knows this, as he needs to turn the page on his team and fast.
“You can’t have anything linger,” Baez said. “We need to come out tomorrow and get a good start.”
Fortunately for the Ducks, they have Matt Larkins, who was their strikeout leaser this season, with 139 Ks or the season.
He needs to be on the ball, as an 0-2 hole will mean certain death for Long Island, which will then need to win three in New Jersey to move on. A tall order, considering the team had so much trouble tonight with starter Mark Hamburger, who turned the Ducks lineup into chopped meat.
“We really never saw this guy before, so it’s sometimes tough to know what to expect,” Baez said.
But the Ducks will turn the page and look for some hope tomorrow. They need to play crisper and tighter in order to get the win and tie this series up.
However, it’s still an uphill battle, and Somerset definitely has the upper hand tonight.
Time to try again tomorrow.
About the Author
