Can-Am New York Boulders

"Bergen" Boulders Avoid Sweep, Defeat New Jersey

Published on June 29, 2014 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New York Boulders News Release


(RAMAPO, N.Y.) - On a day celebrating fans from Bergen County, New Jersey, the "Bergen" Boulders, also known as your Rockland Boulders, rallied from an early deficit to defeat New Jersey 5-2 on Sunday afternoon at Provident Bank Park. The win snapped a brief two-game skid for the Boulders (19-16) and ended the Jackals (20-13) six game winning streak.

New Jersey opened the scoring in the first inning, plating two runs for an early lead. Felix Sanchez led things off with a single before Alonzo Harris worked a walk from starting pitcher Stephen Harrold. After retiring the next two batters in order, Harrold issued a walk to Jeremy Barnes that loaded the bases. Jon Talley followed with two-run single that gave the Jackals a 2-0 advantage.

New Jersey starter Keith Bilodeau, who struggled in two prior starts against the Boulders, was in total control to start. Through the first three innings, Bilodeau faced the minimum 12 batters allowing only a single to Jerod Edmondson in the second. However, the Boulders were finally able to break through in the bottom of the fifth, putting runners at the corners with nobody out.

Junior Arrojo hit a weak ground ball up the middle for an infield single that scored Joe Maloney. Matt Nandin followed with an RBI base hit of his own, tying the game at 2-2 while putting runners at the corners again. The Boulders hoped to take the lead but Antone DeJesus flew out to shallow center and Arrojo was thrown out at home for an inning ending double-play.

They did grab the lead in the bottom of the seventh though when Maloney launched a solo shot to center, estimated at 430 feet, to give the Boulders a 3-2 advantage. Sean O'Hare added to the lead with a sacrifice fly, scoring Bergen County native Will Walsh. From there, the Boulders turned things over to the bullpen as Shawn Gilblair started the eighth.

An error by shortstop Steve Nyisztor, his second of the game, allowed Felix Sanchez to reach to begin the inning. With runners at second and third and no outs, Gilblair struck out Jorge Cortes before fanning Joe Dunnigan. Chad Robinson then came on in relief and, with the bases loaded, struck out Talley to end the threat.

Ryan Stovall then added a little extra insurance with a solo home run to left field, giving the Boulders a 5-2 lead in the eighth. Closer Alex Kreis made things interesting in the ninth, loading the bases with two outs, but got Cortes to pop out to third, sealing the victory. Harrold (2-1) got the win going seven innings, allowing two runs on just four hits. Bilodeau (1-2) took the loss for New Jersey, giving up four runs on eight hits in his seven innings. Kreis picked up his seventh save of the season by tossing a scoreless ninth.

Both Stovall and Edmondson had multi-hit efforts for the Boulders as they out-hit New Jersey nine to six. Edmonson's two singles gives him 693 for his career, six shy of tying Chris Collabello's all-time Can-Am League record of 699.

The Boulders will have a day off after playing 13 games in as many days on Monday. They return to action on Tues., July 1 when they host Quebec at 7 p.m. at Provident Bank Park. That three-game series begins a stretch of 20 games in 20 days for the team.

Check out the New York Boulders Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Canadian American League Stories from June 29, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central