By: Jacob Anes

Photo: Riley Bergstrom

The Upper Valley Nighthawks split a doubleheader with the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks today in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. The split puts the Nighthawks 17-18 as they continue to fight for a playoff spot. 

In game 1, the Nighthawks were led by a strong outing from starting pitcher Randall Alejo (Saint Rose), who fanned 12 batters in 5 innings, allowing just one run. Once he exited, Christian Howe (Kentucky) entered and allowed 2 runs in an inning of work, both of which came on Vineyard first baseman Ryan McCoy’s second homer of the day.  

In the 7th inning, Nick Monistere (Southern Mississippi) entered to try and close the door. He retired the first two batters of the inning before a Demetri Diamant double put the tying run in scoring position, with Vineyard leadoff hitter Nolan Nawrocki coming to bat. Nawrocki smoked a ground ball down the first base line, but Upper Valley first baseman Matthew Russo (Southern Mississippi) made a diving stop and stepped on first, winning the game for the Nighthawks.

In addition to this game saving play, Russo also delivered the Nighthawks biggest offensive blow, a towering two run homer in the third inning, which gave the Nighthawks a 4-0 lead at the time. The homer was his first of the summer. 

In game 2, the Nighthawks got off to another quick start. Ryan Cesarini (St. Josephs) walked and stole second, and was driven home by Kevin Bruggeman (Hofstra). Bruggeman would later score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 Upper Valley. 

The Nighthawks pushed another run across in the 3rd inning on a Marco Ali (Marist) RBI single, but left the bases loaded after an Adarius Myers (Louisiana Tech) line drive was hit right at Vineyard left fielder Caden Shapiro.

Nighthawks’ starter Jordan Goldmann (Le Moyne) was looking strong through 4 innings, but ran into trouble in the 5th. Devin Murray entered the game with 1 out and the game tied 3-3, with the Nighthawks stuck in a bases loaded jam. Murray was able to induce a ground ball to third, but home plate umpire Frank Graney ruled that Jake Bullard’s (Stetson) throw pulled Damaurys Rodriguez (Post) off the plate, allowing the go ahead run to score. The Sharks would add one more run in the inning on a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3. 

This score would hold until the top of the 7th, when the Nighthawks attempted to rally late. A Kevin Bruggeman single followed by a Matthew Russo walk had Upper Valley in business immediately. Nick Monistere struck out following two unsuccessful bunt attempts, but both baserunners would advance on a wild pitch to the next batter. The Nighthawks next two hitters, Damaurys Rodriguez and Marco Ali, each hit deep fly balls, but both were caught short of the warning track to end the game. 

The Nighthawks will return to the Maxfield Sports Complex tomorrow night for Strikeout Cancer Night and a divisional matchup against the Keene Swamp Bats. Pat Gardner and Peter Haas are listed as the probable starters. Today’s doubleheader marked the final regular season games Upper Valley will play against a non-divisional opponent. 2