Coming off getting swept by the New Jersey Jackals, the Rockland Boulders broke their losing streak by shutting out the Sussex County Miners 5-0. Justin Topa (8-1) picked up his league leading eighth win of the season by pitching six scoreless innings. Gianni Zayas (5-4) took the loss by giving up five runs, all in the seventh inning.

The game started as a pitching duel as neither team was able to score through the first six innings. The Boulders were finally able to get to Zayas in the seventh by batting around, however. Joe Maloney led off with a single followed by Jon Smith’s base hit. Mike Fransoso reached base on a failed fielder’s choice, allowing Maloney to score the first run. Alex Herceg was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jared McDonald who singled to drive in two more runs. 

Sussex County was forced to bring in reliever Andrew Brockett buttwo more runs came home on Dylan Tice’s single. With the now 5-0 lead, Tommy Lawrence, Michael O’Neal, and Ethan Elias closed the game out by pitching three shutout innings to seal the win. 

The Boulders improved to 33-14, while Sussex County is 23-21. The series will move to Rockland on Friday night with a start time of 7 p.m.