OFFICIAL FRONTIER LEAGUE BOX SCORE

POMONA, NY — The New York Boulders did not disappoint in their return to Clover Stadium on Tuesday.

The Boulders topped the visiting Gateway Grizzlies, 5-1, after a five-run explosion in the third inning that coincided with manager TJ Stanton’s ejection. One pitch after abruptly being thrown out of the game for disputing a potential pitch clock violation, Joe DeLuca launched a towering solo home run into the right-center field bleachers to break a scoreless stalemate. Stanton, who was walking back to the clubhouse, stopped upon hearing the crack of the bat and watched DeLuca’s homer sail into the stands.

Those dramatics sparked an eruption from the crowd and momentum that New York continued to build upon the rest of the inning. Patrick Kivlehan tacked on an insurance run with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Giovanni Garbella, then Thomas Walraven then took centerstage with a three-run home run to the deepest part of the ballpark in center field.

The Grizzlies did not collect their first hit until the fourth inning, when Boulders starter Garrett Cooper could not field a soft grounder back towards third base. Cooper was terrific in the outing, allowing just two hits while striking out six over six innings of work to earn the win.

Gateway managed to avoid the shutout in top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Clint Freeman to score Andrew Penner. Starting pitcher Carson LaRue took the loss for Gateway on the mound after allowing five earned runs in six innings.

New York (31-22) will look to become the first team to win a series against Gateway (35-18) this season when the two teams square off Wednesday at 11 a.m. To purchase tickets, value packs and more, head to the Boulders’ website at www.nyboulders.com.