(POMONA NY) – Six pitchers, extra innings and a 5-run deficit were not enough to deter the Rockland Boulders (31-21) Thursday night. The Boulders scored 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth to force the extra inning.

The New Jersey Jackals (32-21) had runners at the corners with one out in the first inning however a popout and a Johnny Bladel strikeout put the Boulders at bat. Junior Arrojo showed his speed, stealing his 25th base of the season. A Marcus Nidiffer walk loaded the bases for Jared Schlehuber who put the Boulders on the board with a sacrifice fly.

With Louis Sanz’s third walk issued in the game, Jackals were again at the corners. After an injury, Liarvis Breto took over at the mound for Sanz in the top of the second inning as well. A walk and an infield hit had the Boulders threatening again however they were unable to capitalize.

The defense continued to smother the Jackals in the bottom of the third inning with two great outfield plays to end the inning. Marcus Nidiffer extended the Boulders lead to 3-0 with his 11th home run of the season, a laser that nearly hit the scoreboard at Palisades Credit Union Park.

In his second inning on the mound, Breto walked three players and struck out one. With the tying run on base, the Jackals were unable to get on the board.

The Boulders put in their third pitcher in the top of the fifth inning, Daniel Carela. Breto retired with 2.1 innings played, 1 hit, 4 walks and 2 strikeouts on 13 batters faced. Carela started his pitching game with two strikeouts and a walk. The Boulders went 1-2-3 for the first time in the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as well.

After walking the first batter in the top of the sixth inning, Carela left the game with a injury. Pat Butler became the fourth Boulders pitcher of the game. Butler delivered Adam Martin his second strikeout of the game to start the night while O’Neill walked for the third time. The Jackals cut the Boulders lead to 1 with an RBI double by Sandoval. An Art Charles RBI single immediately after tied the game at 3. Pitching woes continued for the Boulders with Butler delivering the team’s 11th walk of the game. Dvontrey Richardson and Corey Vaughn hopped on the Jackals’ scoring train as well with an RBI single and sacrifice fly to take the lead 6-3. Joe Ravert, who was signed by the Boulders today, took over at the mound.

On the Jackals side, pitcher Nick Gonzalez replaced Matt Loosen. Mike Fransoso stole his 12th and 13th base of the season after singling to first however the Boulders were unable to capitalize.

Art Charles, who has largely been quiet in this series, recorded a 2-run homerun in the top of the seventh to make the score 8-3. Meanwhile in the bottom of the seventh, Arrojo stole his twenty-fifth base of the season to put him within two of league leader Jay Austin of the Sussex County Miners.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Boulders chiseled the lead to 4 after a pitch hit Nidiffer and tensions were sent fairing. A Schlehuber RBI double made the score 8-6 immediately after with one out in the bottom of the ninth. An RBI triple by Fransoso tied the game. Fransoso was then thrown out at home trying to end the game.

Hector Nelo became the sixth pitcher for the Boulders in the tenth inning and opened his game by striking out the side. Richard Stock became the Jackals fifth pitcher of the night as well and struck out his first batter faced. Devin Harris recorded a single then advanced to second off of a wild pitch. A single by Arrojo and an error by the third baseman sealed the Boulders’ 9-8 win.

The Boulders embark on a road trip to Ottawa tomorrow and will return to Palisades Credit Union Park on Wednesday July 20th to take on the Sussex County Miners at 11 a.m. tickets are available by calling (845)-364-0009, visiting the box office or sliding to rocklandboulders.com.