WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT – By Brendan Bowlin. Mother Nature returns to Maxfield Sports Complex, this time during the contest as the Nighthawks make the most of the rain-shortened matchup, taking this one from the Mainers. 
Originally, the Nighthawks were to welcome the Mountaineers to White River Junction on Saturday, but the rain poured all weekend, moving the home opener to tonight. However, after the 5th inning, the downpour was too much to handle, as on came the tarps and the umpires' final decision to call it after five innings. 

It was the Mainers at the top of the first to get things going, scoring two runs led off by Blake Schaaf reaching on an error from shortstop Jack Spanier, then Jack Toomey batting second would hit a single to put two runners aboard for the Mainers. Both would come around to score via a stolen base and a passed ball. 

The Nighthawks would score their five runs in the first three innings as newly introduced Nighthawk Nick Monile started off the bottom of the first with a walk. Spanier would follow with a single to put two on and nobody out. Monile was gunned down at third on a passed ball recovery from Mainers catcher McGinnis, but it was a passed ball that would score Spanier around. In the second, it was three singles from Cole Fellows, Nicholas Mazzotta, and Ryan MacDougall that would plate the tying run in Fellows. The third inning was a three-run spark started by Nick Monile reaching on an error, followed by another Spanier single, and Kyle Neri with a walk to load the bases after the Sanford pitching change. Greco continued the rally with an RBI Single. Fellows and Mazzotta would ground out, but do the job of scoring Spanier and Neri. 

Sanford would get a run back in the fifth, but solid pitching and defense limited the damage to just three runs before the rain poured and ended the contest. 

Ryan Sheehy would get the win in his first NECBL start, going four innings, allowing just one hit and two runs that were not earned. The Hartford product would issue one walk and four strikeouts. Ruditzky would come in relief and give up one run on three hits in his one inning of work, he would strike out two batters. 

Toriello, who came in relief in the bottom of the third, would be credited with the loss. He went two innings, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned). He had a walk and a strikeout in his appearance. 

The Nighthawks improve to 2-1 on the early campaign, They are back on the road tomorrow to take on the Mountaineers up north in Montpelier. First pitch is set for 6:35 PM, weather permitting. Be sure to check our social media for updates regarding tonight's game.