Orsen Josephina struck out 11 to lead the New York Boulders past Equipe Quebec 5-4 on Sunday evening at Palisades Credit Union Park. Josephina was one strikeout away from tying the team record, but nonetheless was impressive, surrendering just three runs on four hits and four walks through 6 2/3 innings.

The pitcher displayed his hustle and composure against Jonathan Lacroix, the final batter he faced, who hit a ground ball that ricocheted off the glove of Boulder’s first baseman Marcus Mastrobuoni. The ball trickled to second baseman Zach Kirtley, but it was Josephina who had the mindfulness to cover first base and beat Lacroix to the bag for his last out.

Quebec got to Josepina in the top of the third, on a L.P Pelletier grounder with the bases loaded and no outs that brought Connor Panas home. The ball was hit hard to Boulder’s shortstop Phil Caulfield, who made a diving grab to at least get an out at second. Quebec then traded another out for a run when Pelletier got caught in a rundown, but slowed up the Boulder’s defense enough to let Jesse Hodges score from third, doubling their lead.

New York, who was held hitless for the first three innings, responded in the bottom of the fourth with a Ryan Ramiz single and subsequent Ray Hernandez home run to tie the game at 2-2. The homer was the 19th of the year for Hernandez, extending his league lead.

The Boulders took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Jack Sundberg, and then added another run on a Kevonte Mitchell triple to center field that slipped underneath the diving glove of Lacroix to make the score 4-2.

New York scored again in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI-single by Mastrobuoni, but was quickly matched by a Pelletier single that scored a run in the next inning.

Quebec trailed by two entering the top of the eighth, but with the bases loaded and one out, they were only able to muster one run, as Boulder's reliever James Mulry retired the last two batters of the inning, leaving the score at 5-4.

Zach Schneider earned his third save of the season after striking out Pelletier and getting Ruben Castro to ground out for the last out of the game.

The Boulders are off on Monday but will be back on Tuesday against the Sussex County Miners, as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.