Long Island Ducks One Win Away From Atlantic League Championship
- The Long Island Ducks stand just one victory away from claiming the Atlantic League Professional Baseball Championship Series after securing two road victories against the Southern Maryland Blue...
- The Ducks built their current postseason position by taking the first two games of the championship series away from home against Southern Maryland.
- Long Island advanced to the championship stage despite major roster turnover, most notably losing polarizing former MLB All-Star Trevor Bauer in June after he joined the club at...
The Long Island Ducks stand just one victory away from claiming the Atlantic League Professional Baseball Championship Series after securing two road victories against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Manager Lew Ford’s squad heads into the decisive weekend matchup in Central Islip with a chance to wrap up the best-of-five series on home turf.
Road Victories and Championship Momentum
The Ducks built their current postseason position by taking the first two games of the championship series away from home against Southern Maryland. Long Island reached this final round through a resilient regular-season finish and divisional success. The 80-win team needed a sweep of Southern Maryland in the final series of the regular season simply to secure a playoff spot, then followed up by sweeping the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in the divisional round. “You never know how guys are going to respond to different things like that,” manager Lew Ford told The Post, reflecting on the team’s turbulent journey. “And they did respond. Different guys have stepped up throughout the year … the beginning of August we just started playing our best baseball.”
Overcoming Roster Changes and Pitching Strength
Long Island advanced to the championship stage despite major roster turnover, most notably losing polarizing former MLB All-Star Trevor Bauer in June after he joined the club at the start of the year. Ford credited the team’s ability to weather the departure to depth and strong execution on the mound and in the field.
Home Field and Former Ownership Support
With the series shifting to Central Islip for the weekend, Ford anticipates a strong turnout from local fans as the club targets its ultimate goal. Former owner Frank Boulton, who led the team for 25 years before selling the Ducks to Texas Rangers-adjacent REV Entertainment last winter, remains a vocal supporter from the stands. “He’s very happy that we’re in the championship series right now, and he’s totally supportive,” Ford said. “He just loves his Ducks.”