The Rockland Boulders pushed across three ninth-inning runs to rally to a 5-3 victory over the Ottawa Champions at RCGT Park. Mitch Piatnik worked around a rain delay before coming through with the decisive hit as the Boulders took the three game series and finished their Canadian road trip with an impressive 5-2 record.
A pair of second-inning unearned runs staked the hosts to an early lead, but Collin Ferguson’s RBI double followed by Jordan Hinshaw’s game-tying hit made the score 2-2 in the sixth. Andy Mochabee gave the Champions a 3-2 lead with a solo shot leading off the bottom of the sixth, and that lead held until the final frame.
With one out and nobody on, Grant Heyman and pinch-hitter Adam Ehrlich recorded consecutive singles. Ryne Birk loaded the bases with a walk and pinch-hitter Richie Fecteau drew another pass, bringing home the tying run. A brief rain delay ensued at that point and when the tarp was clear, Piatnik came through with the game-winning single.
Nick Kennedy continued his spectacular start with 2.0 innings of relief to earn the win, running his season-long scoreless string to 10.2 innings. Austin Glorius took the loss, while Robbie Gordon came on for a scoreless ninth to grab the save.
The Boulders return to Palisades Credit Union Park for a six-game homestand, with a three game set against the Quebec Capitales starting at 7:00 pm Friday. The squads will square off for a 6:30 start on Saturday and a 1:30 first pitch Sunday before Sussex County visits for three from Tuesday thru Thursday.