Rockland Boulders Look To Sweep Newark Bears

The Rockland Boulders captured a 4-3 victory from the Newark Bears behind a solid performance from starting pitcher Roger Lincoln on Friday afternoon in Can-Am League action in Newark, NJ.

The Boulders, the new team based at Provident Bank Park in Pomona, look to complete a three-game sweep of the Bears today in Newark.

“Roger (Lincoln) set the tone for us out on the mound,” said Rockland’s manager Dave LaPoint.  “He controlled both sides of the plate well today. We tweaked a couple of mechanics during training camp, and it showed today with his performance.”

Lincoln (Riverview, FL) made his return to New Jersey and the Can-Am, after pitching for the Sussex Skyhawks from 2008-09.  He shut the down the Bears’ offense early, holding Newark to a pair of hits through six innings.

“I’m just real happy to be a part of this team and organization,” said Lincoln, who struck out four Bears over seven innings of work.  “Especially after the win yesterday, we all are just working hard and doing our part.  It was a good win for us today.”

The Boulders were quick to strike first, after Jermel Lomack (Los Angeles, CA) blasted a three run home run off Newark starter Jacob Wild to give Rockland a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

“We are all coming together and are starting to get comfortable with one another,” said Lomack.  “The team has good chemistry, and we are playing fun baseball.”

Rockland added to their edge in the top of the sixth, when catcher Todd Jennings (Orangevale, CA) drove home Norm Hutchins (Sleepy Hollow, NY) from second on a ground rule double.

Lincoln would take a 4-0 lead into the seventh, but a throwing error from Boulders’ shortstop Bridger Hunt (Belleville, MI) allowed Newark to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Justin Fry (Augusta, GA) came on in relief for Lincoln, and had a perfect eighth for Rockland striking out two in his debut. 

Newark did not go quietly though, as in the bottom of the ninth and down 4-2, Bears’ rookie shortstop Jeff Toth cut into the lead with a solo home run off Rockland closer Adrian Martin.

Martin (Stuart, FL) was not phased, and got the final two outs to preserve the victory for Rockland as they move to 2-0 on the season.

Lincoln gets the win in his Rockland debut, while Martin collects his first save. Wild is charged with the loss after going five innings and giving four earned runs for Newark.

Jon Velasquez (Bronx, NY) gets the nod for Rockland in Saturday’s finale, while Ryan Lobban goes on the bump for Newark (0-2).  Game time is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ. 

Live game action of the new team can be heard online via rocklandboulders.com at 6:20 p.m. with broadcasters Carmine Vetrano and Seth Cantor.