(POMONA N.Y.) – RBI’s from Schwartz, Schlehuber, and McKenna and a 3 run homer from Nidiffer put the Boulders just short of a win against the Shikoku Island League All-Stars.
Japan started off the game by hitting two consecutive RBI doubles in the first inning to gain a 2-0 lead on the Boulders. Yusuke Matsuzawa hit the first RBI double allowing Takahiro Hayashi to run home, followed by Yoshihiro Kobayashi RBI double to allow Zak Colby to score another run for Japan.
Boulders threatened Japan in the fourth, however they were not able to score any runs in the end. Jared Schlehuber advanced to 3rd and Mike Fransoso advanced to 2nd after a wild pitch, however this was followed by a flyout to center field by Mike Montville for out number two and Alexis DeBellis putout for out number three.
Mike Schwartz slammed his 11th RBI of the season, an RBI double deep into left field allowing Junior Arrojo to score for the Boulders shaving Japan's lead to just half. Schlehuber followed this by belting his 23rd RBI of the season, a 2 run RBI double into deep right field bringing home Mike Schwartz and Marcus Nidiffer, giving the Boulders a thin 3-2 lead. It didn’t stop just there Pat McKenna hit an RBI single and Schlehuber brought in another run for the Boulders extending their lead to 4-2.
Nidiffer belted a 375 ft 3 run homer in the bottom of the sixth to extend the Boulders lead to a huge 7-2. Daniel Carela subbed in for Alex Gouin in the top of the seventh, however he soon began to struggle and the Boulders lead began to quickly slip away as Japan scored 6 runs in in the seventh inning, passing the Boulders by one. The Boulders had their final pitching substitution in the seventh when Donnie Joseph came in on relief for Carela.
The Boulders began to fall behind Japan as Japan scored another run in the eighth, however McDonald fought back hard slamming a triple into center field followed by a sacrifice fly RBI from Schwartz to bring McDonald home, giving the Boulders hope at a comeback. Despite the great effort it wasn't enough and the Boulders were defeated 9-8.
The Rockland Boulders have their final game of the three game series against Shikoku Island on Sunday, June 19th at 2 p.m. at Palisades Credit Union Park. The first 1,000 kids 13 and under in attendance will get a commemorative baseball, courtesy of Palisades Credit Union. Every Sunday is also “Pups in the Park” and Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bardonia Pediatrics. In honor of Father’s Day, we continue a Boulders tradition by inviting all fans to come on the field after the game for a catch with dad. Tickets for this game are available by visiting the box office, sliding to www.RocklandBoulders.com, or by calling (845) 364-0009.