Knights

(Nashua, NH): There had never been a home-run derby at Holman Stadium since Futures League introduced the tie-breaking scenario. That changed on Tuesday night, as the Silver Knights defeated the Brockton Rox 11-10 in the derby. This made for a perfect ending to an eventful day in Nashua, as the game had been delayed prior by rain for over an hour in the second inning. 

Each team would put a run on the board in the first inning, Brockton with the help of walks and an error, and Nashua with the help of hit by pitches. The score remained 1-1 until the fourth inning, as Brockton answered when Buddy DeWaine (CCSU) doubled to lead off the inning and would score on an Andy Marra (Georgetown) single. In the fifth, Nashua would answer to tie the game at 2. John Mead (Franklin Pierce) would single and then score off a Ben Rounds (Harvard) single to left field. Brockton scored one in each of the sixth and seventh innings to extend their lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, Nashua scored three to regain the lead 5-4 as Rox reliever Pat Arter (Wheaton) would run into some trouble. Troy Schreffler (Maryland) would walk before a John Mead single. A Keegan single to follow would score Schreffler. Rounds would walk, setting up Luke Beckstein (Kansas State) for a sacrifice fly with one out in the inning. Keegan would score when pinch-hitter Jared Dupere singled, making his return to the Knights lineup after a brief injury. Jake Gelof singled and would score in the ninth off a DeWaine triple to tie the score at 5. The Knights were unable to convert in the ninth. 

After the scoreless tenth inning of a back and forth affair, the home-run derby contestants chosen by their respective coaches were Gelof (Virginia) for Brockton and Keegan (Vanderbilt) for Nashua. Gelof would finish his round with 10 home-runs. Keegan would follow by blasting 11 and giving the Silver Knights the victory. Nick Shumski (Merrimack), Mead, and Keegan each had two hits to lead the team. 

Futures League HR Derby rules require that there are no winning and losing pitchers. Nashua will begin a four-game road trip on Wednesday when they travel to New Britain to face the Bees with a 6:35PM start. You can catch all Silver Knights games this season by subscribing to the FCBL Network at FCBLNetwork.com