(LITTLE FALLS, NJ) – The Rockland Boulders nearly shut out the top-ranked New Jersey Jackals on a windy night in New Jersey. David Fischer pitched seven straight shutout innings for the Boulders, recording six strikeouts in nearly as many innings.
Jared McDonald opened the game for the Boulders with a single but was caught stealing for the first time this season. Fischer started his pitching game striking out one of the five batters he faced.
Both Marcus Nidiffer and Jared Schlehuber demonstrated their batting strength in the top of the second inning however both were caught in left field by New Jersey. Lee Sosa’s pitching began to struggle in the bottom of the second as well, walking three straight Boulders to bases loaded but Ray Frias struck out for the third out of the inning. Devontrey Richardson was out running home after a heavy collision with Boulders catcher Alex DeBellis at home plate.
Junior Arrojo nearly left the game in the top of the third inning after being hit in the head by a fastball while. Nidiffer recorded his first RBI of the game in the top of the third inning, his twelfth of the year, off of a sacrifice fly that allowed McDonald to score. Schlehuber continued the scoring with a double and his first RBI of the game, putting the Boulders up 2-0 in the top of the third inning. Andrew Dundon became the second player hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third inning but New Jersey was largely unable to come up with an answer for the Boulders.
Sosa hit his second Boulder of the game in the top of the fourth inning, advancing Ray Frias to first base. New Jersey’s defense showed its strength, recording a double play. David Fischer recorded his first 1-2-3 inning of the game.
The Boulders continued the defensive plays in the bottom of the fifth inning, recording an inning-ending double play.
Sosa recorded his fifth walk of the game, extending what could have been a 1-2-3 sixth inning. However, the Boulders were unable to capitalize and turned it over off of a popout by McDonald. Fischer’s pitching prowess continued, recording his sixth strikeout in as many innings.
Robert Stock substituted for Sosa in the top of the seventh inning. He starts his game hitting Arrojo who then steals back-to-back bases while Nidiffer gets walked. Schlehuber recorded his second RBI of the game and seventeenth of the season, extending the Boulders lead to 3. Richardson snapped Fischer’s streak of six straight batters retired but it was not good enough as Fischer recorded his seventh shutout inning.
New Jersey scored their first points in the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Designated Hitter Michael ONeill hit a two run home run to make it a one-point ballgame. And with that, Fischer retired for the night with Donnie Joseph subbing in. A diving catch made in the outfield by McDonald may have saved the game for the Boulders in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Boulders continue their road trip to New Jersey tomorrow June 10th at 7:05 p.m. in a battle for first place. 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.