Ducks advance to championship series

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The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 5-1 on Sunday night in Game Five of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. Long Island wins the best-of-five series three games to two and are the 2016 Liberty Division champions. 

The Ducks went to work right away with four runs in the first inning against Patriots starter Will Oliver. A wild pitch that scored Fehlandt Lentini, RBI doubles by Lew Ford and Ruben Gotay and an RBI single from Tyler Colvin gave Long Island the early lead. Another run-scoring wild pitch in the second plated Anthony Vega to increase the lead to 5-0. 

After retiring the first 12 Patriots batters, Ducks starter John Brownell allowed Somerset’s lone run in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and no one out, Eric Farris’ sacrifice fly to center field scored Bryan LaHair to close the gap to four. However, Rob Kral grounded into a fielder’s choice and Scott Kelly popped out to right to end the threat. 

Four Ducks relievers helped preserved the victory. Patrick Crider escaped a two-on, two-out jam in the sixth, Zac Treece struck out both hitters he faced, and Amalio Diaz tossed a scoreless eighth, striking out two. Todd Coffey struck out the first two batters of the ninth before allowing a double to Carlos Guzman. However, Farris grounded to short to end the game and the series. 

Brownell earned the win, tossing five and two-thirds innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits while striking out two. Oliver suffered the loss, surrendering five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over seven innings. Coffey collected his second save of the postseason with a scoreless ninth. Ford led the way offensively with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. 

The Ducks now advance to the Atlantic League Championship Series where they will face the Freedom Division champion Sugar Land Skeeters in a best-of-five series. Game One is scheduled for Tuesday night at 8:05 p.m. EDT from Constellation Field. Fans can follow all the action live on the Ducks’ official YouTube channel. Streaming video and audio will be available online.

After playing the first two games in Texas, the series will shift to Long Island for Game Three on Friday, Sept. 30. 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 Playoff Rally Towels. Tickets to the game and all Ducks home postseason games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX.