The Rockland Boulders and Sussex County Miners split their series after the Miners won 10-6. Rockland starter Bo Budkevics (1-1) gave up seven runs in four innings to take the loss while Gianni Zayas (3-3) pitched five innings, giving up four runs for the win
The game began with a tough top of the first for the Boulders. Adron Chambers led off and walked on four pitches followed by J.J. Fernandez singling. However, an overthrow by right fielder Mike Montville trying to throw out Chambers at third allowed him to score.
Jay Austin singled next but was caught stealing for the first out of the inning. Second basemen Rubi Silva picked up an infield base hit to drive in Fernandez and shortstop Mike Fransoso’s throwing error allowed the batter to move to second. Finally, Jay Baum picked up an RBI with another single to give the Boulders an early 3-0 deficit.
Sussex County’s Juan Duran added another run for his team with a solo shot deep to left field in the third inning. Rockland finally got on the board in the fourth inning. Joe Bennie walked and catcher Alex Herceg reached on an error that moved Bennie to third. Another error then allowed the Boulders to score their first run.
The Miners lead grew later in the fifth inning. Fernandez walked and stole second base to lead off. He then moved to third on a single by Jay Austin and scored on another base hit by Duran.
The Boulders turned to the bullpen calling on Thomas Lawrence, and he gave up a 3-run home run to Baum to up the lead to 8-1.
In the bottom of the inning, Fransoso led off with a walk to get the Boulders started. Maloney singled as the next batter and Regis scored Fransoso with an RBI single. Two batters later, Jon Smith crushed a double to bring home Maloney and Regis to cut the Miner lead to 8-4.
Nonetheless, Sussex County immediately got a run back in the sixth with a home run by Austin. They scored again in the eighth after Austin singled, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI groundout by Silva increasing their lead to 10-4.
The Boulders made a push in the bottom of eighth after Bennie singled and came home on a triple by Jared McDonald. The center fielder then scored on a sac fly by Dylan Tice to make the score 10-6.
Rockland is now 19-8 on the season while Sussex County is 11-14 with the win today. The Boulders will begin a series against the Dominican Republic team that has yet to record a win in six games of CanAm play. The game will begin at 7 p.m. at Palisades Credit Union Park.