Long Island Ducks Win Opening Series!!

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April 25, 2008

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Off-season acquisitions usually dominate discussion on the eve of a new season.  But despite a roster featuring14 new faces, it was the returning players who led the Ducks to a 4-1 Opening Day victory over Newark in front of a sold-out Citibank Park crowd Friday.

Manager Dave LaPoint was able to retain 11 players from the 2007 squad that captured a division championship.  Four of those returnees contributed to a four-run first inning, and staff ace Randy Leek allowed just one unearned run in six innings as the Ducks beat the club that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.

“That’s what we’ve come to expect out of Randy,” LaPoint said.  “This wasn’t the sharpest he’s normally been.  First time out; he answered pretty well.”

Leek, a Levittown native, flashed the repertoire that contributed to a 2.23 ERA last year, striking out four while limiting the Bears to five hits.  In his first-ever Opening Day assignment, the 31-year-old walked just two and made the early run support stand up.

“If you look too much into it, you can get overexcited and I did a little bit,” Leek said.  “My ball was up a little tonight but for the most part I was able to keep myself in check and hit my spots.”

Leek (1-0) left 15 tickets for family and friends, who pitched Game 1 of a season for the first time since starring for William and Mary.  His cheering section saw only one blemish: a mistake that came in the field instead of on the mound.

 Newark’s lone run came in the sixth after Leek dropped Cory Aldridge’s two-out popup, allowing Mike Just to score from third after the ball was touched just inside the foul line.  LaPoint lifted Leek after six innings and 71 pitches despite the southpaw’s objections.

“His first two starts in spring training, the most he threw was 57 pitches,” LaPoint said.  “The next time, we’ll get him up to 90 or so.  He wanted to go another one.  It’s no time to be foolish this early in the year.  We’ll take their pride right out of it.”

Added Leek: “I felt good.  But it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Bears starter Michael Bumstead’s effort was the dichotomy of his counterpart.  The righty struggled with his pitch count, surrendering all four runs in the opening inning.  Carl Everett used his legs to record a two-out infield single, advancing Jamal Strong to second following his leadoff single.

Everett’s single was the first of four consecutive hits, all coming from players who were key members the previous season.  Ray Navarrete slapped a pitch between third and short to break open the scoring.  Kevin Haverbusch followed by lining a 3-2 fastball to the rightfield gap, plating Everett and Navarrete.  Damian Rolls capped the rally with a RBI single.

“Two out hits are the name of the game if you can do them,” Haverbusch said.  “We took a lot of pitches early because it’s the first time under the lights and you want to see some balls.

“A couple of us were saying you wanted to see pitches the first game instead of swinging wildly.  We were patient and he missed his spots a couple of times and we got in good hitter’s counts.”

Bumstead (0-1) pitched out of trouble in the second but again ran into deep counts.  He was lifted after three innings, getting tagged for all the Ducks’ runs while walking two and surrendering six hits.

“It’s a confidence boost when you jump out on top,” Leek said.  “It’s a lot easier pitching with the lead. To get those four runs was big.”

Ben Grezlovski and Todd Martin each pitched a scoreless inning of relief while new closer Joe Valentine worked around a single and walk in the final inning to pick up his first save.  Randall Simon grounded out to short in his pinch hit appearance, wasting a chance to make things interesting after Newark put runners on the corners.

LaPoint said Martin’s major league experience could make him a prime candidate as the eighth inning set-up man.  Valentine held that position last season, serving as bridge for Danny Graves to give the Ducks one of the Atlantic League’s toughest bullpens.

“He’s just a good pitcher.  We’re not going to go situational with him,” LaPoint said.  “As of right now, he’ll be the eighth inning guy.  Maybe if we’re overloaded with guys in the seventh, we might change that.”

Notes: Before the contest, LaPoint signed former Duck Dominick Ambrosini.  The Ronkonkoma native did not play... Both the first and third base coaches wore helmets.  The rule was adopted this year at the major league and affiliated minor league level…The attendance was 6,165… Bears reliever Patrick Stanley struck out the first four batters he faced.  

            The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park, and have played eight seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.  For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

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