THE HUNTERDON COUNTY NEWS
- Breaking News -

08/19/08

TITLE: Ducks Sweep Doubleheader From Patriots
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 09:27:29

ARTICLE

The Long Island Ducks swept the Somerset Patriots 3-2 and 13-4 in a doubleheader in front of 6,276 fans at Citibank Park on Monday evening.

 
In game one, the Ducks rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Designated hitter Carl Everett tied the game with a lead off solo home run (23) to left. Second baseman Ray Navarrete followed with a double to left and came home on a two out RBI single to left by catcher Rob Sandora.
 
Somerset broke a scoreless tie with a run in the top of third inning to take a 1-0 lead when designated hitter Vito Chiaravalloti led off with a double down the left field line, moved to third on a ground out to short by shortstop Elliot Ayala and came around to score on a one out bloop RBI single to left center by centerfielder Sean Smith.
 
Long Island answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 1-1 when shortstop Edgardo Alfonzo led off with a double into the left field corner and scored on a RBI single to right by first baseman Pete Rose Jr.
 
The Patriots took a 2-1 lead with a run in the top of the sixth inning when rightfielder Matt Hagen slugged a two out solo home run (13) to left.
 
Ducks’ starter Abe Alvarez (6-1) picked up the complete game win, throwing seven innings allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking three. Patriots’ reliever Steve Kelly (5-10) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits while walking none and striking out four in three innings pitched.
 
In game two, the Ducks broke a scoreless tie by sending ten men to the plate and scoring five times in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-0 lead. Rightfielder Richard Hidalgo led off with a single to left, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a one out RBI bloop single to right by third baseman Damian Rolls. Catcher Jaime Pogue followed with an infield single to the right side and then leftfielder Kevin Haverbusch hit a RBI double to left that plated Rolls. Centerfielder Nook Logan then hit a two run triple into the right field corner that scored both Pogue and Haverbusch. Everett drove in Logan with a two out RBI single to left.
 
Somerset got two runs back in the top of the top of third inning to cut the Ducks lead to 5-2. Smith led off by reaching on a Ducks’ fielding error on a line drive to second, moved to second on a bloop single to right by leftfielder Mike Lockwood and both moved up a bag on a wild pitch. Third baseman Brandon Larson drove in Smith with a sacrifice fly to center and then first baseman Josh Pressley followed with a sacrifice fly to left that scored Lockwood.  
 
Long Island added five unearned runs in the bottom of third inning to take a commanding 10-2 lead. The Ducks loaded the bases when Rolls reached with one out on a Patriots’ fielding error on a ground ball to first and both Pogue and Logan drew walks. Rolls scored when the Patriots committed a fielding error on a ground ball to short off the bat of shortstop Dennis Donovan and then Rose Jr. cleared the bases with a Grand Slam (9) to right.
 
The Ducks added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 12-2. Alfonzo drew a one out walk and advanced to third on a two out double to left by Pogue. Haverbusch then hit a two run single to left that plated both Alfonzo and Pogue.  
 
The Patriots scored twice in the top of the sixth inning to make it 12-4 when Pressley led off with a double to left center and came around to score on a two run home run to left (14) by Hagen .
 
Long Island scored their final run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it 13-4 when Rolls hit a one out solo home run (13) to left center.
 
Ducks’ starter Jose Paniagua (3-0) picked up the win, allowing two unearned runs on six hits while striking out one and walking one in five innings of work. Patriots’ starter Josh Brey (6-3) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on six hits while walking two and striking out two in 2.1 innings pitched.
 
With the sweep the Patriots dropped to 17-19 in the second half and 57-49 overall on 2008 season while the Ducks improved to 23-13 and 55-51.
 
The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Tuesday, August 26th when the Patriots return to Commerce Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 pm game against the York Revolution. The game includes Rulers (1st 1,500 Kids) presented by Staffing Alternatives. Great seats are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.