The Nashua Silver Knights came into Thursday night’s matchup looking to turn the page after a tough three-game stretch where they struggled to play their best baseball. With renewed energy and a clear goal to get back on track, Nashua took the field in Vermont ready to make a statement. Their effort paid off, as the Knights dominated game two against the Lake Monsters with a decisive 7-0 shutout victory.
It would all start with the offense, which has not been provided in the last few games, as they have had trouble producing runs. Patrick Shrake would get aboard with one out to start the inning for the Knights. Then the two-out rally would start following Jake Hardee who grounded out. Anthony Grabau and Jack Balcer would both single to get aboard. Shrake would then score on the Grabau single and Grabau would also come all the way around to score on the Balcer hit to make the score 2-0. The Knights weren’t done however as they kept adding on as Joey Current would double in Balcer to give the Knights a big three-run lead to start the game.
The pitching for the Knights was also on point to start as Nate Kelleher-Mochak would have another great outing for the Knights. The lefty would turn in four great innings for the Knights and he would only allow two hits in his outing with three strikeouts. From there the Knights would call on Rob Gilchrist in relief as he looked to keep the Lake Monsters off the board. Gilchrist would do just that as he would pitch three innings while tallying four strikeouts on only two hits.
The offense was not just done however as in the 6th before Gilchrist’s second inning on the mound they added on. Current would get the party started as he doubled into the gap to draw some traffic on the bases. From there Dave Yorke and Jack Kidwell would both walk to load the bases. With the bases juiced, Current would score as Cole Patterson grounded out. The Knights would tack on one more in the frame before it was over as Patrick Shrake singled in the second run of the inning. After six the score was 5-0 Knights.
Nashua would hold the Monsters till the end as Nolan Mederos would shut the door as he pitched a perfect 8th and 9th innings to throw a combined shutout as a staff. The Knights would also add two more runs in the 9th to complete the 7-0 victory. Patrick Shrake would be the hot bat tonight as he tallied three hits in the win. The Knights will be back in action in front of an expected sellout crowd at Holman Stadium on Friday night.
