Boulders Hold Off Federals 7-5: Federals Comeback Falls Short as Hodges Earns Third Win

RAMAPO, New York – Casey Hodges threweight innings for the Rockland Boulders on Sunday evening to beat the New York Federals at Provident Bank Park by a score of 7-5 in Can-Am League action.

Hodges gave up just one earned run onthree hits and a walk withfour strikeouts.  Rockland’s bullpen has pitched justtwo innings in relief in the first three games of this series.

New York (4-25) sent Michael Streaman to the mound on Sunday.  Streaman only gave up two hits in five innings, but seven walks and a pair of errors led to seven runs for the Boulders.

JohnCandelier got things started for the Boulders in the second.  He earned his first RBI as a Boulder, as he walked with the bases full.  Ray Stokes did the same to bring Deybis Benitez around to score for the second Boulder run.Two straight errors allowed the Boulders to bring in two more runs with two outs.

With the bases still loaded, Tommy Giles roped a double down the first-base line to clear the bases, giving the Boulders a 7-0 lead after two innings.  Giles’ double was the only base hit by the Boulders in the inning.

Refusing to go down easy, the Federals got to Rockland pitching in the top of the ninth.  After the first two batters reached base, Ray Stokes booted two straight ground balls that could have become double plays.  The Federals brought their second run in after Hodges walked a batter with bases loaded.  A fielder’s choice allowed another to score, and then a Robert Dyer single brought in two more. Kyle Wilson was able to get two outs in the ninth for the Boulders, but Adrian Martin came in for the final out to earn his seventh save of the season.

The Rockland Boulders (11-15) will host the New York Federals in the final game of this four-game series at Provident Bank Park Monday evening.  First pitch will be thrown at 7:05 pm.

Rockland’s top pitcher Bobby Blevins (2-1) gets the start on Monday against New York’s James Kukucka (1-1)

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Great tickets are still on sale for Rockland Boulders home games, and can be purchased online at www.rocklandboulders.comor by calling 845-364-0009.