Can-Am Sussex County Miners

Miners Knock off Boulders in Series Opener

Published on June 22, 2015 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Sussex County Miners News Release


Pomona, NY - Kenny Bryant nearly hit for the cycle and Reggie Abercrombie made two stellar defensive plays to lead the Sussex County Miners to a 5-3 win over the Rockland Boulders on Monday night at Provident Bank Park.

Bryant jumpstarted the Sussex County (10-16) offense in the second inning when he led off with a towering home run over the left field wall. The Miners' first baseman went on to single the following inning and hit a double in the sixth. Bryant had a chance to complete the cycle in the seventh, but struck out swinging.

Abercrombie saved a pair of runs in the second and third innings. With the Miners leading by one run in the second, the Boulders had runners on the corners with two outs. Stephen Cardullo hit a line drive into the left-centerfield gap that looked like it was destined for extra bases. Abercrombie, however, raced over and made a diving catch to end the inning and retain the Miners' lead.

Rockland (17-11) threatened again the following inning with Marcus Nidiffer on second, two outs and the Miners on top, 3-1. Ryan Fisher hit a single up the middle and Nidiffer tried to score from second, but Abercrombie, again, saved the day. He threw a bullet to the plate and Jayson Hernandez tagged out Nidiffer to end the inning.

The Boulders also made a strong defensive play in the third inning when Fisher, Steve Nyisztor and Nidiffer turned a 5-4-2 double play. Sussex County had runners on the corners with nobody out when Hernandez hit a grounder to third base. Fisher threw to second to get the first out and Nyisztor fired home, trying to get Abercrombie at the plate. The throw was narrowly in time to complete the run-saving double play.

Sussex County struck for all five of its runs off of starter Bo Budkevics. After Bryant's leadoff homer, the Miners added another run in the second inning on an RBI single by Carlos Hughes. With a runner on third and two outs, Hughes hit a grounder up the middle that shortstop Junior Arrojo stopped on a dive, but Arrojo's throw was not in time to get Hughes, Chris Valencia scored and the Miners took a 2-0 lead.

After Rockland responded with a sacrifice fly by Arrojo in the second, the Miners re-established their two-run lead in the third. Fresh off of his diving play to end the previous half inning, Abercrombie hit an RBI single up the middle to score Devin Thaut.

The Miners added insurance in the sixth with a pair of runs. Valencia ripped an RBI double down the left field line and later scored on a passed ball.

Rockland fought back in the seventh with a sacrifice fly by Stephen Cardullo and the Boulders trimmed the Miners' lead to 5-3 when Stefen Henderson led off the ninth with a solo homer. That was as close as the Boulders came, however. After the home run, Joe Testa retired the next three batters, the last two on strikeouts, to end the ballgame.

Testa picked up the save and Matt Sommo earned the win. Sommo (3-2) went seven innings and allowed two runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked three. Budkevics (2-2) took the loss. The Rockland starter allowed five runs (four earned) over six frames. He gave up 10 hits, walked one and struck out a pair.

The Miners won their first meeting against the Can-Am League-leading Boulders. The two teams face off again on Tuesday night at Provident Bank Park. First pitch is at 7 PM.

For  more  information  on  the  Sussex  County  Miners,  call  (973)  383---7644  or  go  online  to   SussexCountyMiners.com.

Check out the Sussex County Miners Statistics

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Canadian American League Stories from June 22, 2015


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