(POMONA, NY) – The Rockland Boulders (12-7) completed the sweep of the Trois Rivières Aigles (3-16) on a rainy Wednesday marked by pitching woes for the Aigles. Jared McDonald and Marcus Nidiffer each scored home runs for the Boulders in the 10-6 win.
The top of the first inning was all Yexion Ruiz for the Aigles as he opened the game with a single, stole second and scored the first run off of a sacrifice fly by Daniel Mateo.
Jared McDonald opened the batting game for the Boulders with a home run in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game, his fourth of the season. Aigles pitcher Charles Gillies walked two Boulders while bases were loaded in the bottom of the first inning, putting the Boulders up 3-1. Boulders newcomer Brenden Webb recorded his first RBI in his first at-bat after being walked.
Kori Melo made it 3-2 for the Aigles in the top of the third inning. Number 15 for the Aigles tied it up for the Aigles as well. McDonald and Junior Arrojo became the fourth and fifth Boulders walked by Gillies in the bottom of the second inning. Marcus Nidiffer broke the tie and recorded his first RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly.
Kyle Lafrenz’s sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning brought the game to a stalemate again with 4 runs apiece. Later in the bottom of the inning, Gillies’ pitching woes continued when he recorded his seventh walk of the game.
DeBellis became the first player from either team to get on base since the top of the fourth inning, sparking a 5-run inning for the Boulders. Gillies’ game came to an end in the bottom of the fifth inning as well, after pitching his eighth walk. Edilson Alvarez replaced Gillies. Ray Frias finally ended the stalemate with a double play, putting the Boulders up 6-4 as the rain fell in Rockland. McDonald extended the lead with a single as Brenden Webb ran home for his first time as a Boulder. Riley Palmer scored immediately after, after an error by catcher Kyle Lafrenz. Fransoso recorded his fifth double of the season as well with McDonald scoring on the play. Edilson recorded his second strikeout of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Aigles, facing seven batters in total.
Morales cut the Boulders lead to four with a single that allowed Eric Grabe to score. Palmer made it on base for the fourth time this game in the bottom of the sixth inning, then stole his second base in two innings. Alvarez recorded his fourth strikeout after facing eleven betters.
After relieving Bo Budkevics, Pat Butler struck out his first batter in the top of the seventh inning. Bobby Coyle brought the Aigles to six runs with a home run, his second hit of the game and the only run of the inning.
Marcus Nidiffer sealed the win for the Boulders with a home run to open the bottom of the eighth inning, bringing the team to a 10-6 lead.
Wit the sweep of Trois Rivières, the Boulders depart on a road trip to the New Jersey Jackals. Boulders return to Palisades Credit Union Park on Tuesday June 14 at 4:30 p.m. when the team takes on the Sussex County Miners in a double header. Tickets are available by visiting the box office, calling (845) 364 0009 or by sliding to www.rocklandboulders.com.