Boulders Victorious in Season Opener
Published on May 26, 2011 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New York Boulders News Release
NEWARK, New Jersey - The Rockland Boulders scored six runs in the top of the 10th inning to storm past the Newark Bears for an 11-5 extra innings win on Opening Day in Can-Am League action.
This is the first ever win for the organization, who joined the Can-Am League this year.
"We had a total team effort and our bullpen gave us a chance to win," said Rockland's manager, Dave LaPoint. "Everybody played a big part today."
Leading the way offensively for the Boulders was right fielder Tommy Giles. The Vero Beach, FL product collected four hits in the game, and also started the 10th inning rally with a leadoff single.
"That 10th inning really showed what our team was made of. We battled all game, and then exploded for those six runs," Giles expressed. "Our team is extremely talented and when we put it all together like we did late, we can be very dangerous."
Timely hitting and clutch at-bats for the Boulders forced Newark to dig into their bullpen, as Rockland sent 10 men up in the extra frame collecting six runs on three hits.
The Newark Bears struck early in the contest, as the club plated three runs in the bottom of the first inning off Boulders' starter Bobby Blevins. Kyle LaMotta started the game off with a walk, and then stole second base. He later scored the contest's first run on an RBI single from Brandon Watson. Brian Nichols drove home Watson on an RBI double of his own, and than Danny Santiesteban capped of the bottom frame with a run scoring single.
Rockland cut into the lead in the top of the second, after Giles drove in Norm Hutchins from second, however the Bears put one right back up to regain the 4-1 edge after two.
Blevins would then settle down, as he did not give up a run through his next three innings of work. The right-hander picked up the no decision, striking out three over five innings while allowing four earned runs on five hits.
In the top of the fifth, the Boulders' bats awoke when Vic Buttler connected for a three-run homerun to tie the game at 4-4, which was then followed by a Hutchins solo blast to put Rockland up 5-4.
The Bears knocked one in off Rockland's relief pitcher Kyle Wilson to time the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, but that would be all for Newark as Michael Gardner and Adrian Martin shut the door down in the final three innings.
Gardner gets the win for Rockland, going two strong innings and striking out a pair. Anthony Pluta is charged with the loss for Newark, after giving up six runs on four hits in two innings of relief.
Southpaw Roger Lincoln gets the start for the Boulders tomorrow, while opposing him for Newark is right-hander Jacob Wild.
The Boulders (1-0) and Bears (0-1) go right back at it on Friday morning at 11:00 am from Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ. Catch all the action live on RocklandBoulders.com, with the pregame show at 10:45 am.
Rockland Boulders tickets are still on sale, and are available through the Boulders' website at RocklandBoulders.com or by calling the front office at 845-364-0009.
Canadian American League Stories from May 26, 2011
- Tornadoes Drop Season Opener in Brockton, 3-1 - Worcester Tornadoes
- Can-Am League Game Recaps - Can-Am
- Colonials Drop Opener - Pittsfield Colonials
- Jackals Roll Past Colonials for Opening-Night Win - New Jersey Jackals
- Stellar Pitching Leads Rox To 3-1 Opening Night Win - Brockton Rox
- Boulders Victorious in Season Opener - New York Boulders
- Bears Drop Opening Day To Rockland In 10 - Newark Bears
- Can-Am League Early Game Recap - Can-Am
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