Knights

Thursday, June 18, 2024

By: Dan Allison | Silver Knights media relations

In a refreshing change of the tides for the Silver Knights, Nashua put together a complete ballgame around the board in a 7-3 victory over Worcester at Holman. Strong pitching, early offense, and no errors on the day aided the Knights to a much-needed win as they snapped their five-game losing streak on Alzheimers Awareness Night at Holman. Nashua's special purple jerseys were auctioned off for charity postgame with all proceeds going towards the Alzheimers Awareness.

Pace’s Vinny Civitella got the start, looking for a better team result after four strong innings in his last start in a loss at home to Vermont. Nashua had his back this time around, posting a four spot in the second inning to get the Knights out to an early advantage. 

Northeastern’s AJ Aschettino and Central Michigan’s Drew Loikits contributed RBI singles to get the scoring going, with Keene State’s Tommy Ahlers capping the frame off with a two-RBI double to make it 4-0 Knights. Ahlers’ league-best 14th double moved him to 25 RBI on the season, good for third-most in the league.

Vibes were riding high inside Holman Stadium until the Knights hit a speed bump in the fourth. Worcester finally got to Civitella, knocking Vinny out of the game with a three-run inning. Once a 4-0 lead, Nashua now only led by one 4-3.

A week of tough breaks has been the theme for the Silver Knights in their five-game skid, with the team hoping Worcester’s revival at the plate would not be an early sign of loss #6. But right after the Heart’s three-run frame, McNamara hammered a three-run home run to right field in the bottom of the fourth to boost Nashua back to a four-run lead.

McNamara has been on a tear in his first couple games of 2024, tallying his third homer of the season. For comparison, the four-year Knight had five homers in 55 games last season while hitting three in just eight appearances so far this summer.

After Civitella, AIC’s Anderson Cuello Batista took the bump. Elected a 2024 All-Star earlier this week, Batista pitched up to the title. ACB went five and ⅓ scoreless innings, striking out three with just one hit on the night. Batista, with the four-run lead on his side, cruised the Knights to the finish line on a fantastic night at Historic Holman Stadium.

Back in the win column, the Silver Knight will get back on the road on Friday with a doubleheader meeting against the Rox. Nashua and Brockton are set for a 3:00 PM first pitch for game one tomorrow.