POMONA, N.Y – Sussex County catcher Elvin Soto spoiled the Boulders’ opening day festivities out of the eight-hole on Thursday night, collecting three hits and two runs batted in to help hand the Miners a 4-2 victory.

Soto also spoiled a strong debut from Rockland starter Markus Solbach who was credited with the loss, allowing five hits while striking out eight in eight complete innings.

It didn’t take long for the Miners to tack on the first run of the season, as outfielder Carl Thomore crushed a 1-0 fastball into the right-center field bleachers on the second pitch of the game, placing the score at 1-0. But the Boulders matched in the bottom half of the first, as Rockland outfielder Jerad McDonald scored on a fielder’s choice, knotting the game at 1-1.

In the top of the fourth, Miners’ designated hitter Joe Dunigan lead off with a double, and with two out and two on, two passed balls allowed by Boulders’ catcher Marcus Nidiffer forced Dunigan and Chris Duffy home, increasing the Sussex lead to 3-1.

Nidiffer would make up for his runs allowed with a solo-shot to left field in the bottom half of the sixth, trimming the deficit to one, but Soto would add his second RBI in the ninth, handing Andres Santiago the ball for his first save of the year.

The win went to Sussex’ starter Joe Dinino (1-0), who tossed six full innings while allowing four hits.

Timely hitting was absent for Rockland, as the Boulders finished 1-14 with runners in scoring position.

It was the first home opening day loss in Boulders’ franchise history, as Rockland previously owned a 5-0 record at Palisades Credit Union Park. The attendance, however, was the second-highest in Boulders’ history at a total of 4,348.

Rockland (0-1) will look for its first win of the 2016 campaign at Skylands Stadium on Friday evening, in the second game of a five-game set against the Miners.