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Five Boulders Named to All-Star Team

By Christian Heimall/Rockland Boulders, 09/08/15, 11:15AM EDT

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The Rockland Boulders placed five players on the 2015 Can-Am League All-Star team, as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon. Shortstop Junior Arrojo, first baseman Charlie Law, catcher Marcus Nidiffer, and outfielders Stephen Cardullo and Joe Maloney were all voted all-stars by league managers and media members.

Arrojo posted a .315 batting average with one home run and 44 runs batted in. The second-year Boulders set a new league record for hit by pitches with 36, while also leading the league in stolen bases with 43. An immensely talented defender, Arrojo led all shortstops with 300 assists and 165 put outs, while also turning a league-best 61 double plays.

Making the transition from pitcher to first base seemed relatively easy for Law who finished the regular season batting .301 with 10 homers and 58 RBI. The rookie accrued 107 hits, including 26 doubles in his first year at first base. Standing at 6’7”, Law helped his defense immensely with 793 putouts in his 93 games at first, including 43 assists, both league highs.

In his second season with the team, Marcus Nidiffer had a power surge unlike anything previously seen in Pomona. The catcher led the league with 22 homers and 93 RBI, while also batting .256 for the year. One of the leaders of the clubhouse, Nidiffer was instrumental with the pitching staff, catching 60 games for Rockland and throwing out 10 potential base runners, fifth most in the league.

The cornerstones of a dominant outfield, Cardullo and Maloney provided more than just stellar defense for the Boulders. A third-year Boulders, Cardullo ranked third in the league in batting average (.331) and RBI (75), and tied the Can-Am record for most doubles in a season with 34. A strong defender, Cardullo was second in the league with nine outfield assists.

Named the Player of the Year on Saturday, Maloney finished the year second in batting average (.337), RBI (83), doubles (33), and was fourth in homers (14). Splitting time as a catcher, where he threw out eight baserunners, his sixth outfield assists ranked him as one of the top defenders as well.

The five all-star nods come on the heels of one the most successful seasons in franchise history. A total of 22 franchise records were tied or broken, along with eight league records, in 2015. Rockland earned its first Player of the Year award while Jamie Keefe was named Manager of the Year for the second straight season, and third time in his career.

Back-to-back regular season champions, the Boulders begin their second playoff stint on Wednesday, September 9 when they visit Trois-Rivieres for Games 1 and 2. Rockland will host Game 3 on Friday, September 11 at 7:00 pm while also hosting Games 4 and 5 (if necessary).

Fans can purchase individual playoff tickets at www.RocklandBoulders.com or at the box office. Fans can guarantee their seat for every potential playoff home game with the 2015 Championship Pass, which includes Opening Day 2016 vouchers, for just $30 online, at the box office, or by calling (845) 364-0009.