(TROIS RIVIÈRES, QC) – After a loss and two rain delays, the Rockland Boulders (28-20) regrouped to win their first of a doubleheader in extra innings against Trois Rivières Aigles (13-34) Sunday afternoon. Marcus Nidiffer and Devin Harris recorded home runs each in the 6-4 comeback win.
The Boulders’ only hit in the first inning came from a Mike Fransoso double. Meanwhile Richard Salazar began his pitching game with a perfect 1-2-3 inning.
A wild pitch after an Elvin Soto single had the Boulders threatening again in the second inning however they were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the second, Trois Rivières put batters at the corners with their first two hits of the game, singles by Daniel Mateo and Danny Richar. Kyle Lafrenz’s single made it 1-0 Aigles and a Devlis Morales single allowed two more runners to extend the lead to 3-0.
After getting walked, Junior Arrojo stole his 20th base of the season to open the third inning. A Marcus Nidiffer 2-run homerun brought the Boulders within one. His ninth of the season, Nidiffer is now tied with teammate Jared McDonald for second most home runs in the league. On the defensive side, Salazar recorded his second 1-2-3 inning of the game with two putouts and one strikeout.
The pitching prowess continued to the top of the fourth inning with the Boulders going 1-2-3 for the first time in the game. Les Aigles looked like they would dominate the inning, with First Baseman Danny Richar recording a double to open their batting game, however he was left stranded at third after two straight Salazar strikeouts.
The fifth inning had the Boulders threatening again with Jared McDonald and Arrojo recording two straight singles, however they were left stranded at second and third while les Aigles extended their lead in the bottom of the inning with a Mateo RBI single.
At the top of the seventh inning, les Aigles substituted Yeixon Ruiz for Javier Herrera at right field and Scott Kuzminsky for Ryan Bollinger at the mound. The Boulders got back into the scoring game with a Devin Harris home run, his first as a Boulder, to get them within one. Straight singles by McDonald and Arrojo had the Boulders continuing to threaten. After a wild pitch and an intentional walk of Mike Fransoso, the bases were loaded for Jared Schlehuber, and a walk tied the game at 4-4.
Richard Salazar’s night ended in the bottom of the seventh inning with Edgar Valle taking over. Salazar retired with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts facing 29 batters over 6 innings. In the top of the eighth inning, les Aigles substituted David Leblanc at the mound for Kuzminsky while Ed Charlton subbed in for Elvin Soto for the Boulders. Leblanc walked two of his first three batters, then allowed runners to advance to second and third due to a wild pitch. A McDonald sacrifice fly put the Boulders up 5-4 for their first lead of the series. An error by the shortstop allowed the Boulders to extend the lead to 2 and seal the win while Arrojo stole his second base of the night.
With Hector Nelo on the mound for the Boulders in the bottom of the eighth, les Aigles took their last chances and two straight strikeouts and a fly out sealed the win.
The Boulders return to Rockland this Tuesday at 11 a.m. when they will face the New Jersey Jackals. Tickets are available by visiting the box office, calling (845) 364 0009 or by going to www.rocklandboulders.com.