Knights

Photo: Chris Lyons/Chris Lyons Photography

After losing their first two home games, the Silver Knights looked to salvage their homestand with a Friday win against the New Britain Bees. On an evening that cleared up perfectly for Nashua’s “603 Night”, a packed house was in attendance to see Nashua try and bounce back. Unfortunately, New Britain spoiled the great night by shutting out the Knights 5-0.

Assumption College’s Shea Ryan got the nod for Nashua, making his second start of the season. Ryan was one of the few bright spots for the Knights, only giving up one earned run out of eight hits and added five strikeouts in his 5 and ⅔ innings. Stony Brook University’s John Kiss started on the bump for the Bees and pitched well. Kiss stifled the Knights, striking out eight and giving up no runs in his five innings of work.

Bowdoin College’s CJ Brito-Trinidad started the scoring for the Bees in the second inning. CJ supplied the only ruffle in Shea Ryan’s night, slapping an RBI single to center to give New Britain the early 1-0 advantage.

Both teams hunkered down and threw scoreless frames for the next five innings. Ryan continued to deal after giving up the one run, while Holy Cross’s Chris Benton and Middlebury College’s Justin Lessing carried on the shutout for the Bees.

With only a one run deficit separating the two teams for most of the game, New Britain finally extended their lead in the seventh. Yale University’s Colton Shaw doubled to left field to bring across two runs to make it a 3-0 ballgame.

With the Nashua offense showing minimal signs of life, the Bees kept piling on. CJ Brito-Trinidad stayed hot and roped a solo home run in the eighth inning. New Britain would add another run in the ninth, making the score 5-0 with the Knights down to their last three outs.

No “603 Night” magic was in store for the ninth inning Knights as New Britain completed the shutout, 5-0. New Britain's Peter Kiss earned Player of the game honors, as his five innings of excellent pitching kicked off the Bees shutout.

For Nashua, another night of the offense going silent hurt them. While only posting four hits, the Knights also squandered multiple chances with runners aboard via walks and hit by pitches. Now over a week into the 2022 season, the Silver Knights are still searching for a glimpse of offensive consistency.

Nashua will finish off their four game homestand with a 6:00 PM Saturday matchup with the Westfield Starfires. New Britain will head back home to welcome in the Vermont Lake Monsters on Saturday with a 6:35 PM first pitch. Tulane University’s Jonah Wachter is tomorrow's probable starter for Nashua.