By Jacob Anes

The Nighthawks wrapped up a brief three-game homestand last night. The homestand opened with a double-header against the Mystic Schooners on Thursday before playing the Bristol Blues Friday night.

As the road team in game one of the double-header, the Nighthawks offense got going early, scoring three runs in the game after two singles and an error. Entering the third inning in a 1-1 tie, the Nighthawks offense broke the game open, plating five runs. 

While the Nighthawks' offense rolled, Nighthawks’ starter Ryan Sheehy, who recently announced his commitment to Old Dominion, was excellent on the mound. Over five innings, he allowed just one run on four hits, while striking out six and walking two. Sheehy’s ERA is now 0.64, good for 2nd in the NECBL. 

In the fourth inning, Ryan Preisano (Wake Forest) widened the gap with a two-run home run. Preisano has both Nighthawks’ home runs at the Maxfield Sports Complex this season, the other coming on June 19 against Keene.

Matthew Bruno (George Washington) relieved Sheehy in the 6th, firing two scoreless innings to close out the win. 

In game two, Aaron Potter got the start on the mound for Upper Valley. He gave the Nighthawks four solid innings, allowing two runs while striking out five and walking one. 

Unlike game one, the Nighthawks' offense struggled to get going in game two, as they entered the 5th inning down 2-0. However, they broke through in the inning, as Cooper Blauser (Jacksonville State) reached on a single, before stealing second base.  Blauser was then driven in by Nick Monile (North Florida). Mystic got the run back at the top of the 6th to once again make it a two-run game. 

In the bottom of the 6th, the Nighthawks' offense was able to claw their way back. Anthony Greco (William & Mary) led off the inning with a single. The next two batters struck out and grounded out, before another strikeout seemingly ended the inning. However, the ball got away from the Schooners’ catcher, and the throw to first was late on the dropped third strike. Cooper Blauser followed this with a walk, loading the bases for Nick Monile. Monile doubled, driving in a pair of runs and tying the game. The scoring would end there, as a strikeout ended the inning and limited the damage for Mystic. 

Charlie Jones (High Point) would enter to pitch the 7th, working around a walk and wild pitch to throw a scoreless inning and give the Nighthawks a chance to walk it off. The Nighthawks failed to do so, sending the game to extra innings. 

In the 8th, a Mystic single followed by a pair of defensive miscues scored two Mystic runs, making it 5-3. This would be the final score, as Upper Valley failed to score in the bottom half of the inning. 

On Friday night, the Nighthawks welcomed the Bristol Blues to White River Junction. Nate Isler got the start on the mound for Upper Valley. 

Like both starters from the doubleheader, Isler pitched well for the Nighthawks. He allowed one run over five innings of work, while striking out six and walking one. 

The Nighthawks had traffic on the bases throughout the game, with 12 baserunners reaching. Unfortunately, they failed to convert on these opportunities, ultimately getting shut out in a 3-0 loss. 

Despite the loss, Nick Monile reached base four times, raising his OBP to .527. Cole Fellows had three hits in the game, and Nick Shuhet (Rider) also chipped in a pair of hits. 

Following the homestand, the Nighthawks are 9-8 and remain in second in the North Division. 

They will return home next for game two of the Governor’s Cup against the Vermont Mountaineers on July 1.