Knights

Photo: Kailey Lane/Nashua Silver Knights

For the first time since 2001, Historic Holman Stadium opened its gates on Independence Day. A special Fourth of July 11 AM first pitch set up the Silver Knights and the Worcester Bravehearts with Nashua looking for their seventh in a row. With annual fireworks slated for Holman’s nightcap, the Silver Knights lineup brought the fire power earlier than scheduled.

A quick 1-2-3 inning by starter Shea Ryan brought up the Nashua bats quickly. Amherst’s Jack McDermott got the hitting started for the red and black, doubling to center. Coming off a day off, Boston College’s Kyle Wolff showed he wasn’t fazed by the rest day with a double to bring McDermott home. Wolff’s two-bagger was his fifth double in his last three games, bringing his batting average for his last four to a scorching .733.

Vanderbilt’s Ray Velazquez followed Wolff by reaching on an error, bringing up UMass’s Will MacLean. MacLean, surging back from a cold stretch, singled to right field to allow Wolff to score. Will’s single marked his third straight game with a hit and an RBI.

After an RBI sacrifice fly by Wake Forest’s Chris Katz, Siena’s Richie Paltridge tallied the third Nashua double of the inning to bring home the fourth Nashua run. After just one, the Silver Knights were out to a 4-0 lead.

While the Silver Knights would not add another run in the seven-inning contest, the Nashua pitching staff never put the lead in danger. Assumption’s Ryan went a strong four and ⅓, earning the W with only one earned run and another coming across unearned. URI’s Brandon Hsu and Wake Forest’s Will Andrews bridged the gap to Nashua’s closer in SNHU’s George Welch with one and ⅔ innings of no-hit ball. For Welch, the Derry native secured his fourth save of the season. With now three saves in his last three appearances, Welch is starting to truly cement himself as the Silver Knights ninth inning arm.

Nashua closed out a 4-2 Independence Day victory that was never in doubt, now moving their winning streak to lucky number seven. After a Tuesday off day, the Knights will open a huge stretch with three straight games against the first place Vermont Lake Monsters. Now sitting at 17-17, Nashua will look to get over .500 with game one against Vermont taking place in Burlington at 6:35 PM Wednesday.