Rockland Rallies to Stun Miners
Published on September 5, 2015 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New York Boulders News Release
(AUGUSTA, NJ) -The Rockland Boulders mounted a two-out rally in the eighth, plating four runs to upend Sussex County 9-7 on Saturday night at Skylands Stadium. It was just the fourth time this season the Boulders (61-34) rallied to win when trailing after seven innings.
Rockland started off hot with their first three batters reaching base. After consecutive walks from Jared McDonald and Junior Arrojo, Stephen Cardullo singled to plate McDonald and give the Boulders a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Charlie Law singled off Jamie Walczak brining home Arrojo for the 2-0 advantage.
Sussex County (38-57) attempted to come back in the home half when Fray Martinez walked the bases loaded with nobody out. They would only get one run on a sacrifice fly, though, as Johnny Bladel was thrown out at home trying to score on Devin Thaut's single to right, ending the inning. The Miners then took the lead in the bottom of the second when Martinez's throwing error allowed Brady Wilson to score and Jamal Austin's RBI single made it a 3-2 game.
It wouldn't take long before the Boulders found themselves back on top, scoring twice in the top of the fourth inning. McDonald's one-out single tied the game before Cardullo doubled him home, giving Rockland a 4-3 lead. Sussex County tied things up in the fourth thanks to an RBI ground out from Austin before taking the lead in the sixth.
Recently activated off the Disabled List, pitcher Stephen Harrold made his first appearance since August 10th in the bottom of the sixth inning. Following consecutive singles from Jayson Hernandez and Cory Morales, a passed ball allowed Hernandez to score, giving Sussex County a 5-4 lead. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases with one out when Kenny Bryant hit a high chopper to the right side. The Boulders were unable to turn a potentially inning-ending double play and two runs would score.
Rockland would not go quietly, scoring four times in the eighth inning. With two outs and runners at the corners, Arrojo singled home Steve Nyisztor before Cardullo doubled, plating two runs, and tying the game. It was the second double of the game for Cardullo, tying both Chris Colabello and Danny Bomback for the single-season record in the Can-Am League with 34.
The rally would not stop with Cardullo as newly minted Player of the Year, Joe Maloney, hit a double himself to give Rockland an 8-7 lead. The Boulders would add an insurance run in the ninth while relievers Shawn Gilblair and Luis Sanz shut down the Miners offense.
Pat Butler (1-0) picked up the win by tossing a scoreless inning in relief while John Lujan (0-2) was saddled with the loss, giving up four runs in the eighth inning. Sanz picked up his 18th save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Boulders and Miners continue the three-game series on Sunday, September 6 at 2:00pm at Skylands Stadium. Marcus Jensen (7-2, 4.48 ERA) gets the ball for Rockland while Sussex County sends Matt Sommo (5-11, 4.67) to the hill.
Canadian American League Stories from September 5, 2015
- Rockland Rallies to Stun Miners - New York Boulders
- Boulders' Maloney Earns Player Of The Year Honors - Can-Am
- Maloney Named Can-Am Player of the Year - New York Boulders
- Top of the Order Leads Miners to 9-2 Win - Sussex County Miners
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