Mollica Single Proves to be Game-Winner as Boulders Beat Worcester, 5-4

Gustavo Chacin struck out 10 while Ryan Mollica produced the game winning single in the eighth as the beat the Tornadoes, 5-4, Friday in Worcester, MA.

Rockland jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first courtesy of a wild pitch that brought in Qualon Millender. The Boulders added another two in the top of the third when third baseman Phillip Cuadrado hit his eighth homer of the year to give Rockland the 3-0 advantage.

Boulders starter Gustavo Chacin seemed in control the first three innings after allowing just two hits. After Billy Alvino singled in the top of the fourth to drive in Ryan Mollica and extend the Rockland lead to 4-0, Worcester finally found the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning. Cam Kneeland singled to knock in Johnny Welch to make the tally 4-1 Boulders. 

After adding a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Tornadoes battled back to tie the game in the second half of the sixth. Tony Patane’s one-out double brought Mike Samela home to cut the Boulders lead to one. Worcester would then tie it on a Jerod Edmondson single that knocked in Patane. That would mark the end of the night for Chacin who finished five and two thirds innings while scattering four runs and striking out 10.

With game tied in the eighth, the Boulders had one final offensive spark left. Ryan Scoma began the inning with a triple. Then with one-out, Mollica knocked in Scoma on what proved to be the game winning single.

Chris Rubio got the win for his relief performance while Matt McDonald was pinned with the loss. Adrian Martin entered the game for Rockland in the ninth and recorded his 12th save of the season.

The Boulders play two more in Worcester this weekend before returning home to Provident Bank Park for a 7-game home stand next week. The Rockland Boulders Active International Charity Challenge night for Jawonio, which was scheduled for Thursday, July 26, will be held on Tuesday, July 31, when the Boulders face the Newark Bears at 7 pm. Thursday's game was postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a double-header on Monday, July 30, starting at 5 p.m.