Rockers Fogged Out by Ducks, 1-0

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – The High Point Rockers may feel shortchanged after Friday night’s 1-0 loss to the Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.

The game was shortened to six innings when fog rolled into the ballpark prior to the start of the seventh inning. Following a 30-minute delay, the game was declared final with the Ducks claiming the first contest of the weekend’s three-game series.

Starting pitchers Justin Nicolino for High Point and Brett Kennedy for Long Island were outstanding, keeping both teams at bay for most of the evening. Nicolino (3-1) pitched six innings, allowed just four hits and struck out three while walking one. Kennedy (1-1) went 5.2 innings and scattered three hits while walking three and striking out eight.

In the bottom of the fifth, Long Island’s Deven Marrero led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a ground out by Johnni Turbo then scored on a Nicolino wild pitch.

In the sixth, the Rockers loaded the bases with two outs following a Zander Wiel single and walks to Logan Morrison and Quincy Latimore, but Tyler Ladendorf popped out to end the threat.

Fog that encompassed much of the New York metropolitan area became increasingly problematic as the game progressed. The umpires held up the gave following the sixth inning before deciding that it could not be resumed.

Wiel, Logan Morrison and Ladendorf had High Point’s three hits.

The Rockers and the Ducks will play the second game of this three-game set on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.