Late Rally Gives Boulders 3-2 Victory Over Quebec

Boulders starter Jonathan Velasquez pitched eight strong innings and Chris Valencia knocked in the final two runs as the took the last game of the series against Quebec, 3-2, Sunday at Provident Bank Park in Pomona. 

After a quiet first three innings for both clubs, the Capitales got on the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth. Rene Leveret would reach on a Cole Kraft fielding error and advance to second as Kraft’s throw went past first baseman Ryan Scoma. Two batters later, Quebec catcher Patrick D’Aoust would double to right field that brought Leveret home.  The Capitales put up another run in the inning when D’Aoust scored on a Josue Peley single that would make the score 2-0.

The offenses went silent for the next three innings as both starters worked masterfully.  Quebec’s Adam Kudryk went seven strong innings, surrendering just two hits for no runs and struck out three. Boulders starter Jonathan Velasquez finished eight innings, giving up 2 runs, no earned, on four hits while striking out seven and earning the victory. 

Momentum swung in Rockland’s favor in the bottom of the eighth when Scoma led off the inning with a double. The first baseman would score on a Cole Kraft ground out to cut the Capitales lead to 1.  The Boulders would then continue the rally with two outs as catcher Landis Wilson doubled to right followed by a Matt Nandin walk. After both Wilson and Nandin would advance a base each on a wild pitch from reliever Guillaume Leduc, Rockland’s Chris Valencia would deliver the heroics.  The Left Fielder would single to left to bring both Wilson and Nandin home, which would make the score 3-2 and prove to be the final.

Quebec would give Rockland a scare in the top of the ninth when D’Aoust would reach second on a Ryan Mollica error. But Boulder’s closer Adrian Martin shut the door on the Capitales hopes by forcing Normand Gosselin to hit into a 4-4-6 game ending double play.

The Boulders travel to Newark for a three game series against the Bears starting today. Rockland returns home on June 15, to take on the Worcester Tornadoes on “Bring Down Boston” night at Provident Bank Park in part of a three game weekend series.