LI Ducks Claim Opening Night Victory With New Manager

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — The Long Island Ducks kicked off the summer season with a 6-2 opening night victory on Thursday as they defeated Atlantic League champion Lancaster Stormers at home at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.

The win served as a good omen for the 126-game season with new manager Lew Ford keeping his Ducks in a row after 14 seasons as a player. Ford was the first player in franchise history to record 1,000 hits in a Ducks uniform.

According to the Ducks, Long Island scored in the first inning and doubled the lead to two in the third. After Lancaster tied the game at two in the fifth, the Ducks reclaimed the two-run lead at 4-2. The Ducks were leading 6-2 after single runs in the seventh and eighth, taking the win.

The Opening Day roster included 10 players with Major League experience and nine others who have reached as high as Triple-A, the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the U.S., according to the Duck.

Three players hailing from Long Island who were invited to the Ducks' spring training made the Opening Day cut, including left-handed pitcher and East Moriches resident Liam Pulsipher, infielder and West Islip native Kevin Higgins, and catcher Jonathan Waite, the Ducks said.

The Ducks and Stormers continue their four-game series Friday night.

Click here to watch Opening Night highlights.