POMONA NY – The bats came alive in the sixth inning in Rockland’s 8-5 win over the Ottawa Champions. Rockland has won three of their first five games.

Pitcher Jarret Martin started off strong, opening the game with a 1-2-3 inning in the Boulder’s win over the Ottawa Champions, his first of two in the game.

Ottawa opened up the scoring when Kenny Bryant scored the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning off of a triple by Brian Erie. Rockland quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with Schwartz scoring the first run for the Boulders, as he tied the game off of a single hit by Brian Ragira.

In a two run double to right, the Boulders went up two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with Junior Arrojo and Jared McDonald scoring. But it wasn’t until the sixth inning that both teams opened up the scoring.

Ottawa came within one of the Boulders, with Matt Helms running home off of a hit by Kenny Bryant in the top of the sixth inning. Jarret Martin retired in the top of the sixth after facing 25 batters, relieved by Richard Cruz-Sanchez after Ottawa tied the game. Ottawa went on to score two more runs before the inning was over.

The Boulders tied the game at 5 in the bottom of the sixth inning off of a double hit by Ryan Frias, leading to Ottawa retiring Wilmer Font after facing 27 batters.

The Boulders made their second pitching substitution of the game at the top of the seventh inning, retiring Cruz-Sanchez after facing three batters in favor for Edgar Valle. Valle struck out two of his first three batters faced in the top of a scoreless seventh inning. Valle continued to impress, striking out three straight batters in the top of the eighth inning. Ottawa brought in their third pitcher in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ryan Brockett threw for two walks against his first three batters for Ottawa.

After a scoring drought, Marcus Ndiffer won the game for the Boulders with a three run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning with Arrojo and Schwartz scoring on the play. The Boulders made their final pitching substitution at the top of the ninth inning, with Hector Nelo replacing Valle. Valle ended the game striking out five of the eight batters he faced. Nelo struck out two of four batters.

The Boulders continue their series against Ottawa Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the “Boulders Against Bullying and Substance Abuse” school day at Palisades Credit Union Park. Tickets are still available by visiting the box office, calling (845) 364-0009, or by visiting www.RocklandBoulders.com.