AUGUSTA, NJ – After a tough loss last night, the Sussex County Miners (21-8) scored seven unanswered runs in the sixth inning to come back from an early three-run deficit and defeat the New York Boulders (14-13), 7-3.
The Boulders started the scoring early with a solo home run from Ryan McCoy in the first. The Boulders then added two more in the third inning with an RBI single from Alfredo Marte and a bases-loaded walk from Christian Ficca.
These three runs were all Tyler Thornton gave up as he scattered six hits and two walks, while striking out four across five innings of work.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Miners loaded the bases with no outs thanks to two singles and a walk. Then with one out, Mahki Backstrom drew a bases-loaded walk for the Miners’ first run of the game. The Miners tied the game on an RBI hit-by-pitch to Jordan Smith and a walk by Alec Sayre. Backstrom came rumbling home on a wild pitch as the Miners took a 4-3 lead. The Miners weren’t done there, adding three more runs courtesy of an RBI groundout by Keenan O’Brien, another wild pitch scoring Sayre, and an RBI single by newcomer Abdel Guadalupe.
The score remained at 7-3 as relievers JC Ariza, Tyler Luneke, and Matt Stil shut down the Boulders over the final four innings, combining for six strikeouts. Ariza earned the win, moving to 1-1.
The Miners improve to 21-8 on the season and expand their division lead to six games over the Boulders. Sussex County looks to win the series tomorrow in the 7:05 PM rubber match with Mike Reagan on the bump.
Click this link to watch Anthony Cafone’s interview with Guadalupe.
Written by Ben Mayer
Edited by Sean Bretherick
Photo by Logan Winslow