By Jerry Del Priore
The Long Island Ducks fell behind quickly, but managed to stage a four-run bottom of the seventh to overtake the New Britain Bees for the eventual 4-3 win Friday night in their home opener at Bethpage Ballpark.
The game didn’t start well for the Ducks (4-4), as Bees designated hitter Craig Maddox launched a three-run shot to right field off of starter Keith Couch to put them in a 3-0 hole in the first inning.
But Couch settled down after that, with Zac Treece coming on in the fifth, tossing three scoreless innings of relief.
It set the stage for the comeback. A two-run double by second baseman Elmer Reyes, an RBI single by centerfielder Delta Cleary Jr., and a sacrifice fly off the bat of designated hitter Marc Krauss highlighted the scoring for Long Island.
Reyes and leftfielder and ex-major leaguer Nolan Reimold led Long Island with two knocks apiece.
Treece (1-1) earned the win, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one batter. Patrick Crider and David Aardsma, a former New York Met, each pitched a scoreless frame, with Aardsma striking out two and notching his first save of the season.
Kyle Simon (1-1) took the defeat for New Britain (1-5), surrendering four runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in two innings of work.
The two teams battle today at 6:35 p.m. at Bethpage Ballpark in the second of a three-game series.
Right-hander Tim Melville takes the bump for the Ducks, opposing Bees righty and Rochester, New York, native Brian Dupra.
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 