Boulders Drop Fourth Straight

The Rockland Boulders dropped game one of its three game series against the two-time defending Can-Am League champions, the Quebec Capitales, 8-4, on Friday night in Quebec.

Capitales’ veteran catcher Pete LaForest led the charge for Quebec, ending his night against Rockland with two hits while driving in three runs.

Quebec struck early with three runs in the top of the second off Rockland starter Jon Velasquez. The Capitales finished the frame with three hits while sending eight batters up to the plate.  All of those runs were unearned though, as Boulders’ shortstop Bridger Hunt was charged with an error before those tallies came across the dish.

Rockland put a run on the board though, in the bottom of the fourth, after Norm Hutchins’ RBI single plated Vic Buttler from second base off Capitales’ starter Matt Rusch.

Leading 4-1 and going into the top of the sixth, LaForest picked up his first RBI of the night as his single drove home teammate Seth Henry from second.

LaForest later added to his RBI total, which helped put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth, as Quebec led 6-1 heading into the frame.  The native of Portage, MI knocked in a pair with his first double of the contest, putting the Capitales up 8-1 through seven and a half innings of play.

The Boulders (5-7) answered back with three runs of their own in the final two innings, but dropped their fourth straight game as Quebec (10-4) held on for the victory.

Hutchins finished the night for Rockland with three RBIs on two hits.

Velasquez is charged with his second loss of the year after going 5 1/3 innings and giving up eight hits.  Rusch picked up his second win in as many starts striking out three over five and only allowed one run.

This three game series was originally set to take place in Rockland, however, was relocated to Three Rivers, Quebec. The Boulders are the home team this series, yet still has not played a home game at Provident Bank Park, which is set to open on Thursday.