Knights

Photo: Kailey Lane/Nashua Silver Knights

After back-to-back heartbreakers, the Silver Knights were starving for a much-needed victory. Getting a break from the Bees before heading back to New Britain, the Knights were set to face off against the Brockton Rox in Historic Holman Stadium on Thursday night. After a close scare in the later innings, the Knights pulled off a satisfying 11-7 victory.

Southern New Hampshire University’s Joshua Roberge took the bump in his debut for Nashua. Georgetown University’s Marshall Whitmer got the start for Brockton as the two teams looked to get much needed wins for their records.

In the top of the second, Sacred Heart’s Ryan Donnelly singled to right field to bring home the first run of the ballgame for the Rox. Desperately looking for a W, Nashua found themselves behind quickly with a 1-0 deficit.

Falling behind early, Nashua wasted no time with their response. In the bottom of the second, Anna Maria’s James Powers took one to the shoulder and got his way on base with Boston College’s Kyle Wolff coming up. Wolff, becoming known for his big bat, blasted his second home run of the year to make it 2-1 Knights.

Following Wolff’s shot for the one run lead, Nashua kept the line moving in the second inning. Amherst College’s Jack McDermott and Maryland’s Zach Martin both singled to drive home runs to make it 4-1 after two.

Nashua’s bats would stay hot in the third, with two runners aboard for St. Thomas Aquinas College’s Andrew Jemison. Jemison, who was back in the lineup after a three-game absence, uncorked a ball that found the Corona Cabana in left field. Jemison’s first home run of the 2022 campaign carried the Knights to a 7-1 lead.

Nashua’s offense had been hot the last two games, posting seven runs in each game. Already meeting that total through three innings, the Knights would break the invisible seven run cap with Holy Cross’s Jack Toomey singled to center to bring home the eighth Nashua run of the game.

Josh Roberge dealt in his first outing in the Nashua red and black. Despite the one earned run, Roberge only gave up two hits in five innings pitched while adding six strikeouts. Solid relief appearances by Northeastern’s Aiven Cabral and Assumption’s Shea Ryan kept the Rox stuck at one run.

Looking to cruise to the finish line, the Silver Knights were met with trouble in the eighth inning. Nashua was giving out free passes on the base paths, causing potential trouble for the Knights lead. Miami Dade’s D’Angelo Ortiz singled to center to make it 8-2 with Lynn’s Pedro Martinez Jr. working a bases loaded walk to make it 8-3.

As Brockton slowly crawled back, Sacred Heart’s Ryan Donnelly stormed the Rox back into the ballgame with a three RBI triple. Dyersburg’s Andy Martin would later drive in Donnelly as fans started to get anxious with Nashua only holding a one run lead.

Going into the bottom of the eighth, Nashua provided more breathing room before heading to the ninth. Northeastern’s Carmelo Musacchia doubled to left field to make the lead 9-7 with Vandy’s Ray Velazquez bringing Melo home on a sacrifice fly. After the two runs came in, James Powers got aboard on a four pitch walk with Kyle Wolff staying hot with an RBI single to bring him home. Knights fans could start to breathe a bit easier with the team now holding a 11-7 lead.

SNHU’s George Welch got the duties in the ninth to close out the victory for Nashua. Besides one walk, Welch pitched a no nonsense ninth inning that included two strikeouts as the Knights dugout lit up in excitement for the victory.

After breaking a tough losing skid, Nashua will look to start a win streak as they travel back down to New Britain to face the Bees for the third time this week. First pitch is slated for 6:35 PM Friday. For Brockton, the Rox will head back home to face the Pittsfield Suns at 7:00 PM Friday night.