Long Island Ducks earn their 5th Atlantic League championship, 1st since 2019

To the left of the American flag blowing relentlessly in rightfield at Central Islip’s Fairfield Properties Ballpark sit four white signs atop the wall.

From right to left, they read: 2004, 2012, 2013, 2019. Each year represents an Atlantic League title for the Long Island Ducks, a reminder of one lasting memory after another for those who triumphed.

As champagne flew around the Ducks’ locker room, one thing became abundantly clear.

It was time for new memories.

The Long Island Ducks are Atlantic League champions for the first time since 2019 and the fifth time in franchise history, completing a sweep of Southern Maryland on Friday night with a 7-2 home win in Game 3 of the Atlantic League Championship Series.

Manager Lew Ford, who won three titles as a Ducks player, stepped up to receive the Frank Boulton Trophy, named after the former Ducks owner and Atlantic League founder. He heard a chant he hadn’t heard in years as fans braved the beginnings of a nor’easter to shout “Lew!”

“It brings me back to my playing days,” Ford said. “That the fans still remember me is pretty cool.”

A look inside the Long Island Ducks locker room as manager Lew Ford greets his players with the newly named Frank Boulton Trophy.

Only fitting that the Ducks are the first to celebrate with a trophy now named after their founder.

A nor’easter of its own 🍾 pic.twitter.com/fCwrERVCRY

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) September 26, 2026

A look at the final out as the Long Island Ducks became Atlantic League champions for the first time since 2019.

Wilmer Difo snags it at short. And chaos ensues. pic.twitter.com/zrMjqSmlF3

— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) September 26, 2026

The Ducks won all six of their playoff games — the longest postseason winning streak in the franchise’s history — and lost only two of their final 20 games after clinching the North Division title in the final game of the regular season.

Lefthander Nick Margevicius pitched a complete game for the Ducks, allowing seven hits and zero walks with five strikeouts. He retired 10 in a row before allowing two runs in the eighth inning, but he retired the side in the ninth.

“It’s such a community atmosphere; my daughter loves it, my family loves it. I got to be involved in that, and I really appreciate it,” said Margevicius, a Mineola resident since 2019. “I wanted that ninth, because I felt connected to the team, organization and living on Long Island.”

Margevicius recently welcomed his newborn son, Brooks. The pitcher said he’s had only “eight to 10 hours of sleep the last two nights.”

“I said, ‘Listen, it’s been a rough week. I’m gonna give you all I got, whatever I got,’ ” Margevicius said.

He also praised catcher Rene Pinto, whom he embraced after the final out.

“Since we’ve gotten together, we’ve been on the same page,” Margevicius said. “I’ve been able to go six, seven, eight, now nine innings with him . . . I was just really appreciative of him and wanted to hug him right away.”

Seven Ducks recorded an RBI and every starter had at least one hit. The Ducks led 5-0 after seven innings, and after the Blue Crabs rallied with two runs in the eighth, Pinto and Kole Kaler hit two-out doubles. Kaler’s hit drove in Pinto and Chris Roller’s RBI single sent Kaler home.

Roller’s defense in centerfield, including snagging two difficult outs in the ninth, highlighted a great fielding day.

“I think this might be the best defensive team that we had out there,” Ford said.

The Ducks have boasted a motto over their playoff run: Long Island vs. Everybody.

Now there’s no one left.