KEENE, NH - In their first game at Alumni Field in 2025, the Keene SwampBats (1-1) fought their way to a hard-earned win against a divisional rival, the Upper Valley Nighthawks (1-1). 

Kyle Peters (UConn) started the Bats off on the right foot, tossing four scoreless innings, striking out two and walking two. Kian Vorster (Louisville) and Keene’s own Ben Dean (Dayton) each pitched an inning, and Aydan Decker-Petty (Indiana) came in to anchor the game with three innings of one-run ball to nab the win. A three-run eighth inning made all the difference for the SwampBats, with the eventual winning run coming in the form of 1B Chandler Tuupo's (Charleston Southern University) single that drove in CF Gabe Pitts (Central Connecticut State). 

The SwampBats opened up the scoring account for both sides in the bottom of the third with a solo shot to left field from LF John Malone (Samford) that traveled 357 feet. In the top half of the fifth, Gabe Pitts (Central Connecticut State) robbed a would-be homer from Upper Valley LF Kyle Neri (Rider) at the wall in center for the most spectacular play of the young season.

The Nighthawks answered and took the lead in the sixth, capitalizing on a Keene error, eventually leading up to a fielder’s choice RBI from Upper Valley 2B Anthony Brotz (Marist) with one out in the frame.

Keene sent its tall righthander Aydan Decker-Petty (Indiana) out to the mound at the start of the seventh, and after giving up a leadoff walk (and his only run of the outing later in the inning), Decker-Petty struck out three in the seventh, and two more Nighthawks in the eighth. A quality defensive play from 2B Ty Mainolfi (Dayton) served as the final out of the Bats’ victory.

Keene evens up to 1-1 on the year, and will host the North Shore Navigators (0-1) Thursday evening (June 5th) on Purple Out night at Alumni Field.

First pitch between the Navigators and SwampBats is set for 6:35 PM.