(Little Falls, NJ) – Despite two home runs by Marcus Nidiffer, the Rockland Boulders (20-13) dropped their second straight game to the New Jersey Jackals (22-11) 11-6, losing the series.
The Boulders went 1-2-3 in their first inning with three straight putouts. Jackals Left Fielder Michael O’Neil opened the batting game with a lead off single for the Jackals and they wasted no time. Second Baseman Rylan Sandoval scored a 1 RBI triple to put the Jackals on the board. Fist Baseman Art Charles and Center Fielder D’Vontrey Richardson followed suit with a RBI double and an RBI single respectively to continue the Jackals’ scoring before the inning was over.
Catcher Marcus Nidiffer earned a ground rule double to lead off the second inning. Short Stop Pat McKenna’s single put two Boulders on the bases but they were unable to capitalize. Bo Budkevics recorded his first 1-2-3 inning of the night in the bottom of the second inning with three straight putouts by the Jackals.
The third inning opened with a Ray Frias strikeout followed by a Jared McDonald popout. Third Baseman Mike Fransoso with a rocket of a single put the Boulders on base for the first time in the inning. Sandoval continued his hitting with a double with Charles, Catcher Richard Stock and Third Baseman Taylor Brennan following suit with an RBI triple, an RBI double and an RBI single to extend the Jackals’ lead to six.
Nidiffer ended the shutout with a home run to open the fourth inning, his seventh home run of the season. McKenna recorded his second single of the night to have the Boulders threatening again however the inning ended with the score 6-1. A Sandoval 3-run homer extended the Jackals’ lead to eight in the bottom of the fourth.
The Boulders scoring continued in the top of the fifth inning. Left Fielder Mike Schwartz scored a 2 RBI double to cut the lead to six. Nidiffer’s second home run of the night, a two run- homer, continued to chisel the Jackal’s lead. Pitcher Whit Mayberry’s largely clean record was tarnished in the inning as well; administering his first three walks of the night.
Budkevics’ night came to an end with Edgar Valle taking over at the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning however the scoring continued for the Jackals with an O’Neil sacrifice fly. The inning ended at 10-5 Jackals.
The Jackals were shutout for just the second time in the night by Valle. Mayberry’s night came to an end in the top of the seventh with Justin Brantley taking over. Back to back strikeouts ended the inning for the Boulders.
Valle recorded his second straight 1-2-3 inning to end the seventh.
The Boulders came back to life shortly in the eighth inning with a new pitcher, Brian Ernst, at the mound for New Jersey. With his first homer in a Boulders uniform, McKenna brought the Boulders back within four in what became the only run of the inning.
A home run by Charles brought the deficit yet again to five in the bottom of the eighth to ensure that there would not be a bottom of the ninth.
The Boulders historic series against the Cuban National Team begins tomorrow at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by visiting the box office, going to www.RocklandBoulders.com, or by calling (845) 364-0009.