The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs travelled up to Central Islip, New York to take on the Long Island Ducks in Game 1 of the Atlantic League Liberty Divisional Series. The Blue Crabs gave the ball to right-handed pitcher, Gaby Hernandez (7-12, 4.29), who was coming off of a strong second half of the season and was opposed by Ducks’ ace, John Brownell (9-10, 3.89). The two teams traded runs early but Brownell proved to be too much to handle striking out 12 in the Ducks 6-2 victory.
The Ducks got the scoring started early on in the bottom of the second as DH Bill Hall hit a double down the left field line and eventually moved to third on a groundout. First basemen, Ryan Strieby, came to the plate and delivered what would be one of his four hits on the evening with a double to dead centerfield, scoring Hall from third.
Down a run in the fourth, 3B Nick Schwaner tied the game up as he blasted the second pitch he saw from Brownell for a solo home run over the wall in right. After the Ducks took back the lead in the home-half of the fourth, the Blue Crabs answered right back with a solo home run off of the bat of CF Jeremy Owens.
The two home runs would account for the only offense the Blue Crabs would receive on the night. Ducks’ starter, John Brownell, went the distance in the Ducks victory finishing with a line of 9.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 12 K. The 12 strikeouts was a Long Island playoff record in the 6-2 victory.
UP NEXT – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will look to bounce back and even up the series against the Long Island Ducks when they meet up in Game 2, beginningThursday night at Bethpage Ballpark at 6:35pm. Getting the ball for the Blue Crabs will be right-handed pitcher Ian Marshall (12-8, 3.99). The Long Island Ducks will call upon right-handed pitcher Shaun Garceau (2-1, 1.17). To listen to the Blue Crabs tune in to www.phoenixintermedia.com. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging ontowww.somdbluecrabs.com, calling
