(OTTAWA, ON) – The Rockland Boulders (33-21) picked up the win Saturday night in the Canadian capital as they defeated the Ottawa Champions (29-26) by the score of 4-3 in 10 innings.
The Rockland Boulders struck early. The first three batters in the second inning drew walks. After Elvin Soto struck out for the first out of the inning, Devin Harris recorded a 2-run RBI single to give the Boulders a 2-0 lead. Junior Arrojo recorded a sacrifice fly RBI to bring home another run making it 3-0. Boulders starter Richard Salazar responded by putting up a 0 in the bottom half.
The Boulders threatened in the top of fourth as Devin Harris recorded a 2 out triple but the next hitter Jared McDonald flew out to left to end the inning. Sebastien Boucher led off the bottom of the fourth for the Champions with a home run to cut the Boulders lead to 3-1. Richard Salazar would retire the next three Champions to maintain the lead heading to the fifth.
The Champions threatened in the bottom of the sixth inning. Albert Cartwright recorded an infield single to lead off the inning and reached second after a throwing error by Junior Arrojo. That ended a streak of six straight batters retired for Richard Salazar. After retiring the next two hitters, Salazar would walk back to back Champions to load the bases. Salazar would get Derrick Pyles to fly out to end the inning and maintain the Boulders 3-1 lead.
After the Boulders were held scoreless in the top of the 7th, the Champions once again threatened in the bottom half. The Champions led off with back to back hits from Matt Helms and Michael Mastroberti. Richard Salazar would retire the next two Champions before issuing a two out walk to Daniel Bick to load the bases. Salazar would escape trouble though as he got struck out Sebastien Boucher swinging to end the threat.
Ottawa broke through in the bottom of the eighth inning. RBI singles from Derrick Pyles and Alexander Malleta tied the game up at 3. Both runs in the eighth were charged to Daniel Carela and Hector Nelo was charged with the blown save.
The game remained tied until the tenth inning. A RBI single by Mike Montville drove in Mike Fransoso to give the Boulders a 4-3 lead. Pat Butler who pitched the final two innings of the game picked up the win. His first of the season.
Boulders starter Richard Salazar pitched brilliantly despite picking up a no decision. In seven innings, Salazar allowed 5 hits, 1 run, walked 4 and struck out 4. His ERA is now 3.16 on the year.
The Boulders will look to sweep the Ottawa Champions tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 pm.