POMONA, NY- The Boulders attempt to #ReclaimTheCup was pushed back another night Friday, when they lost Game 4 to the Ottawa Champions, 13-3 at Palisades Credit Union Park.
“Big Game” Bo Budkevics (1-1) got the starting nod for the Boulders (2-2), in his first appearance since tossing a gem in Game 4 of the semis to keep Rockland’s season alive. However, there wasn’t as much magic this time around, as he struggled early. In five innings pitched, Budkevics allowed seven runs (three earned), striking out four and walking one.
Brett Palanski came in afterwards and didn’t fare much better, allowing three runs without recording an out. Mike Adams then took over and stabilized the situation, pitching the Boulders to the end of the game, but at that point the game was already out of hand.
The Boulders have had comeback magic throughout the playoffs in 2016, but there wasn’t such luck tonight. After the deficit was formed, Rockland couldn’t find much else in the tank, struggling to get runners across. Ottawa (2-2) starter Steve Borkowski (2-0) pitched eight strong innings, allowing all three Boulder runs. Schlehuber led the offense, with his first inning home run, finishing 1-4 with a run scored and two RBI. His two run blast would tie up the game in the first, which is as close as the Boulders would get to leading the game. Josh Blanco finished the game for Ottawa in the ninth.
A winner takes all Game 5 will be held at Palisades Credit Union Park on Saturday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM. The expected pitching matchup will be a duel of aces, with Ottawa’s Austin Chrismon squaring off against Rockland’s David Fischer. The Boulders are 3-0 in these playoffs in elimination games, including Game 5 of the semis, where Mike Fransoso hit a walk-off double to punch Rockland’s ticket to the finals.
In a playoffs filled with iconic moments that will live forever, one can only imagine the incredible final chapter still to be written Saturday night in Pomona. Winner takes the Can-Am League title, the loser goes home empty handed.