Rockland took the field Sunday hoping to build on their three-game win streak and they did just that in Game One of today’s doubleheader against the Aigles.
Trois-Rivieres kicked things off with a run in the first. Javier Herrera singled up the middle and Connor Crane roped one of his own to drive him in. Rockland would even things up in the top of the second on a Joe Maloney solo shot, his 16th on the year.
After the Aigles came up empty in the bottom half, the Boulders went to work again in the third. An Alex Herceg single and Jared McDonald walk would lead to a Cody Regis sacrifice fly. Rockland starter Justin Topa put together a quick inning to keep it 2-1.
The game quieted down before a wild end to the fifth. Trois-Rivieres looked to take the lead after a Daniel Mateo single and Herrera hard-hit ball up the middle. Shortstop Mike Fransoso would make a diving stop and turn a double play to end the inning. That ended Topa’s day as he finished with five innings, six hits, one earned run, two strikeouts and one walk.
The Boulders made their lead 3-1 in the sixth on a Maloney inside-the-park homerun, hitting the ball to the deepest part of right centerfield. Aigles ace Matthew Rusch would get the last two outs and conclude the game with six and one third innings, eight hits, three earned runs, six strikeouts and three walks.
Alexander Ayala doubled to put Rockland reliever Matt Kostalos in an early hole, however he would get three huge outs, two by way of strikeout to end the inning.
The Boulders would get no runs across in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, David Glaude would lead off with a home run to make the game 3-2. Closer Jon Velasquez rebounded fast and would get the next three outs and record his fourth save of the season.
Trois-Rivieres controlled a majority of game 2 and came away with a 6-3 victory. Rockland went down one, two, three in the top of the first while the Aigles got on the board. Julio Martinez led off the game with a double and Daniel Mateo brought him in on a single.
The Boulders responded in the second on a Maloney single followed by a Mike Montville two-run blast, taking a 2-1 lead.
Starter Bo Budkevics would run into some trouble in the bottom of the second.
Glaude singled and Cody Kuzniczci laced a double to bring him home. Carter McEachern would then drive in Kuzniczci on a single to make it 3-2.
In the top of the third, Dylan Tice tied it up with a home run down the left field line. The tie wouldn’t hold up though, as Trevor Gretzky got the lead back for Trois-Rivieres on an RBI-single in the bottom of the third.
After the first three innings, Aigles pitcher Pat Peterson dialed in and silenced Rockland’s bats. He would retire Fransoso and punch out newbies Mikael Mogues and Matt Fortin in the fourth. In the bottom half, Alexander Ayala would drive in McEachern and Martinez on a single to give his team a 6-3 lead.
The score would stay that way for the remainder of the game due in part to phenomenal pitching from both sides. Tommy Lawrence went a strong one and a third innings for the Boulders and Peterson finished his outing with six innings pitched, five hits, three earned runs, eight strikeouts and four walks.
Ethan Elias threw a solid sixth for Rockland. Aigles closer Nick Sarianides came on in the top of the seventh to pick up his fifth save.
After this quick weekend trip to Canada, the Boulders will return home tomorrow to host the New Jersey Jackals at Palisades Credit Union Park. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.