LYNN, MA - By Jacob Anes. The Upper Valley Nighthawks opened the 2025 season with a 5-0 win over the North Shore Navigators in Lynn, Massachusetts on Tuesday night. This was the second straight Opening Day win for the Nighthawks.

The Nighthawks relied on their pitching in the win, with three righties combining for the shutout. Flynn Howard (Merrimack) set the tone for the team, opening the game with four no-hit innings, while striking out six and walking two.

Aaron Potter (North Florida) relieved Howard to start the 5th, and threw three no-hit innings of his own. Potter also struck out six while walking just two in his relief appearance. Potter was credited with the win.

Mason Phillips (West Georgia) shut the door in the final two innings, striking out four. Following an infield single and hit by pitch, Phillips struck out the Navigators’ three-hitter Jack Gold to escape the Nighthawks only jam of the night. He struck out the side in order to close out the win in the 9th and earn his first save of the season.

The three pitchers combined for 16 strikeouts, the most ever by the Nighthawks on Opening Day.

For the first six innings, the Navigators’ pitching matched Upper Valley, exchanging zeros until the top of the 7th. With one out in the 7th, Kyle Neri (Rider) reached on an error which was followed by an Anthony Greco (William & Mary) walk. Following a groundout from Ethan Brown (Dartmouth) that advanced both runners, second-year Nighthawk Michael Trommer (Bucknell) had a chance to give the Nighthawks their first lead of the season. Trommer came through, singling to center and driving in both baserunners.

Looking to add some insurance in the 8th, Joey Dwyer (SUNY Oneonta) led off with a walk. Jack Spanier (Minnesota) then doubled, giving the Nighthawks two runners in scoring position with no outs. Two batters later, Kyle Neri drove Dwyer in with a base hit to left field, making it a 3-0 game.

The Nighthawks immediately threatened again in the 9th, with Ryan MacDougall (Dayton) leading off the inning with a double. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Anthony Brotz (Marist) drove in MacDougall to make it 4-0. Joey Dwyer then singled to move Brotz to third. This single was Dwyer’s fifth time reaching base, tying a franchise Opening Day record previously set by Parker Haskin. Following Dwyer’s single, Jack Spanier grounded out, scoring Brotz for the Nighthawks fifth run of the game.

The Nighthawks next game will be tonight in Keene, New Hampshire against the Keene Swamp Bats at Alumni Field. Joseph Chambers (Dartmouth) is expected to get the start for the Nighthawks.