LANCASTER, PA -  Home runs by P.J. Rose and Estee Harris backed a stellar return start by Bill Pulsipher, as the Long Island Ducks defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers 7-2 Wednesday at Clipper Magazine Stadium last night.

In his first start as a Duck this season, Bill Pulsipher (pictured at left) tossed five strong innings, allowing a run on six scattered hits while walking one and striking out four. The southpaw (1-0) escaped several jams, including a bases loaded, no-out spot in the first. With the sacks full, Pulsipher struck out the next two batters and induced a fielder's choice groundout to minimize Lancaster's efforts. He only allowed three hits for the rest of his outing.

Long Island's bullpen continued Pulsipher's success in winning the opener of the three-game set. After Travis Wade pitched one and two-thirds innings, Kevin Mannix entered and struck out Jutt Hileman with the tying runs on base in the seventh. Ben Grezlovski pitched two outs in the ninth before Joe Valentine struck out Dominick Ambrosini with the bases loaded for his second save of the season. Lancaster hurler James Lira (7-7) absorbed the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits while walking six and striking out five.

Rose (at plate, pictured at right ) provided the eventual game-winning power in the fifth inning. On a 3-0 pitch, the first baseman clubbed a two-out, two-run home run to right-centerfield to put the Ducks in front 3-1. A four-run eighth inning busted the game open for the Ducks, as Norm Hutchins added a sacrifice fly and Harris socked a three-run home run, his 10th of the season. Rose finished at 2-for-5 with two runs on the night.

Reggie Taylor immediately jumped into the fray in his first game as a Duck, singling on the first pitch of the game and later scoring on a bases-loaded double play groundout by Rose. Lancaster produced their runs on Hileman's RBI single in the first and Jeremy Todd's solo home run in the eighth. Michael Woods went 4-for-5 for the Barnstormers.

The Ducks continue their nine-game road trip Thursday with the middle game of their trio against the Barnstormers. Gametime from Clipper Magazine Stadium is 7:05 p.m. Fans can catch the game live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King calling the action beginning at 6:50 p.m.  The Ducks return home to Citibank Park for the stretch run of the season on Tuesday, September 4, when they host the Road Warriors.  Fans attending the 6:35 p.m. contest will be treated to a postgame Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, courtesy of the Sunrise Fund.  Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling 631-940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their eighth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For more information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.