By Michael Heilman
The Sugar Land Skeeters defeated the Long Island Ducks Wednesday night 7-0 at Bethpage Park to even the Atlantic League Championship Final.
The Skeeters got off to a hot start in the top of the first inning when center fielder Rico Noel started the inning hitting a single out to left field followed by Wynton Bernard, who doubled out to left field to bring home Noel to put the Skeeters up 1-0. Bernard would then steal third base. Skeeters catcher Alberto Cordero would then hit a two-run shot out to left-center field to extend the Skeeters lead 3-0.
Skeeters right fielder Zach Borenstein started the top of the second inning with a single on a line drive to right field. After Blake Beck popped out for out number one, third baseman Javier Betancourt singled to center field to move Borenstein to second base. The next batter up was Rico Noel, who would ground out to Ducks first baseman David Washington moving both Borenstein and Betancourt to second and third base. The Skeeters would then add two more runs when Wynton Bernard reached first base on a throwing error by Ducks second baseman Steve Lombardozzi to score both Borenstein and Betancourt to add to the Skeeters lead at 5-0.
The Skeeters continued to add to the lead at the top of the third inning starting with shortstop Jason Martinson’s walk. Martinson would then steal second base. Zach Borenstein would then hit a single to right field to score Martinson and extend the Skeeters lead 6-0.
After a scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Skeeters started the top of the sixth when Jason Martinson flied out to center fielder Rey Fuentes for out number one. Skeeters Zach Borenstein was the next batter up, and he would hit a double out on a sharp line drive to left field. Borenstein would then advance to third base on a throwing error by Ducks catcher Ramon Cabrera. Skeeters first baseman Blair Beck would then strike out for out number two. Javier Betancourt was up next, and he would hit a single to left field to drive home Borenstein to further the Skeeters lead 7-0.
The Ducks could not replicate what they did last night as Skeeters pitcher Matt West came into the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. West was able to get both Ducks first baseman David Washington and catcher Ramon Cabrera to fly out and center fielder Rey Fuentes to pop out to end the game. Skeeters pitcher Carlos Pimentel (7 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 SO) recorded the win while Ducks pitcher Darin Downs (3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss.
Game three of the Atlantic League Championship Final will be on Friday, October 4th at 7:35 pm from Constellation Field with the series tied 1-1.
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