(POMONA, NY) – The Rockland Boulders had their season-long 11-game win streak snapped on Saturday night, falling by a 13-6 final at the hands of the New Jersey Jackals on Saturday night. The loss now puts Rockland (58-40) two games behind the Jackals (60-38) in the league standings while putting New Jersey one win shy of a regular season title.
The Jackals jumped out to the early lead in the top of the second on RBI singles from Richard Stock, Eddie Newton, and Michael O’Neill. Rockland would attempt a comeback on Mike Montville’s two-run single, but could not get any closer the rest of the night. New Jersey added to the lead in the third, scoring two runs on a D’Vontrey Richardson triple. He would come home on a Richard Stock single making it 6-2 heading to the home half of the inning. Both teams traded runs in the next couple at-bats with the Jackals holding a 9-6 lead after four innings.
New Jersey would tack on four more runs throughout the night while the bullpen held the Boulders off the board. Richardson paced the offense for the Jackals with five RBI while all put one starter recorded a hit in the game. Starting pitcher Matt Loosen (9-6) got the win allowing six runs in his five innings of work and striking out four.
The loss was charged to Bo Budkevics (5-5) who gave up nine runs in five total innings on 14 hits and five strikeouts. Three different Boulders had a pair of RBI with Marcus Nidiffer belting a two-run homer in the fourth, his 20th long ball of the year.
This pivotal series resumes on Sunday, September 4th at 5:00pm at Palisades Credit Union Park. If New Jersey wins, they will take home the Can-Am League pennant while a Boulders victory sets up a do-or-die finale on Monday in Pomona.
Gates will open at 4:00pm with the first 2,500 fans receiving a 2016 Team Photo, courtesy of Good Samaritan Hospital. It’s also another Pups in the Park day with kids 13 and under running the bases after the game. Great seats are still available by visiting the box office, calling (845) 364-0009, or by sliding to www.RocklandBoulders.com.