By: Patrick McCaw

Photo Credit: Riley Bergstom

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT - The Upper Valley Nighthawks took their third straight loss to the hands of the Sanford Mainers with a final score of 5-0. This loss puts the Nighthawks one game under .500 with a record of 16-17. 

A continuing theme played on in Thursday's nine inning contest, the Nighthawks played from behind early. Two-straight singles by Logan Poteet (Vanderbilt) and Nicholas Roselli (Binghampton) in the top of the second put two runners on for the Mainers. Eddie Eisert (Virginia Tech) would take advantage of the situation with an RBI single to center field to give Sanford an early 1-0 lead.

The based were loaded for the Mainers later in the second but, Nighthawks starting pitcher Brendan Walker (Stetson) would settle down and work his way out of the jam.

However, an unwelcome sight would take place for Walker as Matthew Polk's (Vanderbilt) solo shot to left field would make it a 2-0 ballgame. "We struggle when we get behind early," manager Mat Pause said, "The energy just goes down a bit and it's hard to come back."

The most demoralizing inning of the day for the Nighthawks would be the seventh. Poteet's strong day continued with a two-run single to left field and shortly after Cameron Johnston (North Carolina Ashville) would get in the action with an RBI single to center field making it a 5-0 lead.

Upper Valley would have numerous chances to score, but none were bigger than in the seventh inning with the bases loaded with one out. Two singles by Matthew Russo (Southern Mississippi) and Dylan Palmer (Hofstra) accompanied by Marco Ali's (Marist) walk would load the bases for the Nighthawks. But two straight put outs would end the threat to Sanford's lead. "We just need to score," Pause said, "We had a lot of guys on base, and we just couldn't get them across." 

With this 5-0 loss Upper Valley would move to below .500 for the first time since their 0-1 start of the season. After an electric 11-3 start the team now sits with a losing record of 16-17 and are slowing falling out of playoff contention. 

"Honestly, the plan is to survive," pitching coach Chad Sturgeon said, "We need to keep everyone healthy and hopefully have a strong end to the season." 

The Upper Valley Nighthawks will make the long road trip to Martha's Vineyard on Friday to take on the Sharks in a doubleheader.