Boulders' Stephen Cardullo pays homage to former teammate, roommate Steve Nyisztor

• Boulders%27 Stephen Cardullo now wears No. 7%2C the jersey of former teammate Steve Nyisztor.
• Cardullo and Nyisztor were roommates and are best friends who keep in touch often.
• Cardullo is hitting .339 since switching jerseys.

RAMAPO – When Rockland Boulders outfielder Chris Edmondson was picked up by the Atlanta Braves organization, the team showed their respect by hanging his jersey in clubhouse to serve as inspiration.

After shortstop Steve Nyisztor was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization, his jersey was not seen hanging in the clubhouse. Instead, his name had been stripped off and replaced by Stephen Cardullo, his former roommate.

"Early in the season, I really wasn't playing the type of ball that I am capable of and (I was) putting too much pressure on myself," Cardullo said after Tuesday's 5-3 win over New Jersey. "I just needed a change."

Since switching to Nyisztor's No. 7 jersey, Cardullo is hitting .339 (18 for 53) with two home runs, eight RBI and six runs scored in nine games. During that span, which coincidentally started on 7/7/14, the Boulders utility man has upped his average from the high .270s to just under .300.

Cardullo said that as soon as the announcement was made that Nyisztor would be off to Oregon to play for the Hillsboro Hops, Arizona's Single-A short-season affiliate, he was taking the number, which he wore as a little leaguer.

Cardullo said he and Nyisztor still text all the time.

"I owe a lot to him for helping me out during the season," Cardullo said of Nyisztor.

Twitter: @Zacchio_LoHud