Boulders Stop Jackals, 8-4

LITTLE FALLS, NJ – The Rockland Boulders benefited from a Barry Wesson two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, as they took an 8-4 victory over the New Jersey Jackals on Sunday afternoon in Can-Am League baseball action.

Rockland put together a three-run inning in the top of the seventh, en route to their 14^th victory of the second half.

The Jackals struck early in the bottom of the first after Rockland’s starter, Jonathan Velasquez walked the bases loaded.  New Jersey’s first baseman, Kris Sanchez grounded out to Boulders’ first baseman, Cristobal Santana to bring in Mike DeJesus from third to give the Jackals a 1-0 lead.

Rockland though, took the lead in the top of the third inning, 2-1, after Jeremy Slayden’s two-RBI single plated Chase Weems and Ray Stokes off of New Jersey’s starter, Shaun Ellis.

Former Boulders’ centerfielder, Sean Smith scored the tying run for the Jackals in the home half of the third on a sacrifice fly from D’Angelo Jimenez.

The Boulders got that run back in the top of the sixth, after a throwing error from Sanchez, who tried to throw out Wesson at home plate, went high over the glove of the catcher, Myron Leslie.  With the 3-2 lead, and a new pitcher for the Jackals, the Boulders loaded the bases for Weems.  The left-hander delivered with an infield single to score Norm Hutchins from third and give Rockland a 4-2 edg

New Jersey cut the deficit to 7-4 late in the game, however, the Boulders added the insurance run to defeat the Jackals and avoid the sweep in the final match up between the two teams.

Velasquez picked up his seventh win of the season, throwing six innings and striking out six, while Ellis is charged with his third loss allowing four runs over 5 1/3 innings of work

The Boulders move to 14-18 in the second half, and to 33-45 overall.  New Jersey drops to 20-14 in the latter half, and 47-33 overall

Rockland hosts  in the Brockton Rox on Tuesday night for the finale series between the two clubs, with first pitch at Provident Bank Park in Pomona slated for 7:05 pm.