LINCOLN — Marcus Nidiffer bashed a three-run homer in the first and the Rockland Boulders (49-27) went on to a 5-2 victory over the Saltdogs (30-48) in front of 4,606 fans at Haymarket Park Saturday night.
Nidiffer’s blast, his second in as many games and fourth for Rockland this series, opened the game’s scoring.
Both of Lincoln’s runs came in the bottom of the seventh but the damage was limited by Rockland. Mike Gilmartin led off the frame with an opposite field double. Two batters later Jeremy Hamilton singled him home, followed by a Brian Joynt RBI knock to make it 5-2.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Rockland reliever Daniel Carela struck out two hitters and induced a ground ball to end the threat.
Marcus Jensen (5-1) pitched five shutout innings, allowing just three hits to earn the win. Kevin McGovern (4-7) yielded four earned in six innings to suffer the loss. Chad Robinson worked a scoreless ninth for his first save.
Matt Forgatch went 3-for-5 to extend his hit streak to eight games in the losing effort.
The rubber game is Sunday afternoon at 5:05 p.m. RHP Casey Collins (1-1, 4.56) is set to face RHP Fray Martinez (3-0, 5.72). Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
Gates open at 3:30 p.m. on “Princess Night” featuring visits from The Snow Queen, Ice Princess, Snow White and Cinderella! Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.