Knights

Photo: Kit Cleghorn/Nashua Silver Knights

After a rainout and two road games, the Silver Knights returned to Historic Holman Stadium to get their first look at the 2022 Westfield Starfires. Nashua put out Saint Anselm College’s Avery Mosseau on the mound while Trinity College’s Michael Aceto got the ball for the Starfires. With the setting of a beautiful Memorial Day afternoon, Nashua looked to get back into the win column while Westfield tried to stay undefeated.

With the pregame ceremonies wrapped up and the Knights on the field, Westfield wasted no time to get on the scoreboard. Adelphi University’s Cooper Johnson knocked a two RBI double in a three-run first inning. Westfield added one in the second before they made a statement in the third with a five-run inning. Holy Cross’ Brendan Jones, Skidmore College’s Jackson Hornung, and New England College’s Luca Giallongo all posted RBI singles to push the Westfield lead to 9-0.

Aceto got the job done for the Starfires. With a comfortable lead to work with, Aceto got in six innings of work. With a 10-0 deficit in the bottom of the 5th, Nashua got on the scoreboard with St. Thomas Aquinas College’s Andrew Jemison and Amherst College’s Jack McDermott RBI doubles to make it 10-3.

After Nashua got their offense started, Seton Hall University’s Jack Wentworth padded the Westfield lead with an RBI double to make it 11-3. After 11 runs through five innings, the Knights were looking for a pitcher to step up and limit the damage. University of Rhode Island’s Brandon Hsu answered the call, throwing Nashua’s first scoreless frame of the ballgame in the sixth. Hsu allowed no runs in his relief appearance through his 2.2 innings of work.

Catawba College’s Brandon McSorley and Fitchburg State’s LT Pare carried the torch after Hsu, giving up no runs in both of their appearances. With a large climb in front of them, Nashua started the trek with Penn State’s Richie Paltridge and Pitt’s Matt Travisano both smacking RBI doubles.

Just as Nashua’s offense started to come alive, the Knights comeback hopes were dashed as the Starfires closed out their 11-6 victory on Memorial Day.

Skidmore College’s Jackson Hornung earned “Player of the Game” honors by going 4-6 with 1 RBI. Hornung also represented three of the 11 Westfield runs that came around to score. Hitting .650 with 11 RBI to start the FCBL season, Hornung looks to be a strong piece of the Starfire’s undefeated lineup.

Nashua will head to Pittsfield tomorrow night to face the Suns at 6:35 PM as they look to get back on track. Westfield will return home to face the Norwich Sea Unicorns at 6:30 PM, attempting to go 6-0 on the season. Nichols College’s Sean Ryan is slated to start for Nashua tomorrow night.