Knights

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

By: Dan Allison | Silver Knights media relations

On Wednesday night, the Nashua Silver Knights took the field for the first time since earning their sixth championship last August. Nashua looks to start another title campaign this season, but the Pittsfield Suns soiled their start by handing them a 13-3 mercy rule loss on opening night.

Manager Kyle Jackson and the Knights headed 150 miles west to Pittsfield, MA to open their season on a three-game road trip. Pittsfield, who lost the season series to the Knights in 2022, looked to enact their revenge on the champions in 2023. 

 One Sun who wasted little time getting even with the red and black is Pittsfield native Ryan LaPierre, the Westfield State righty returning to the Sun roster this season. LaPierre got the opening day nod for his hometown team and did not disappoint—only one earned run in six innings of work, on four hits and six strikeouts.

Nashua’s pitching staff could not find similar luck, giving up 13 runs in a shortened seven-inning contest. Colby’s Thomas Rioux got the start for the Knights, posting two quick innings before meeting a speed bump in the third.

A couple of Knight errors opened the door to a four-run Pittsfield third, ending Rioux’s night. As the Silver Knights turned to the bullpen, the tough night continued. Nashua’s next three arms gave up a combined seven earned runs in what quickly turned into a no-contest. Mass College of Liberal Arts’s Austin Rachiele, another Pittsfield kid returning to the team, highlighted the Sun lineup with four RBIs on the night.

2022 Champion Shane McNamara helped the Knights avoid a shutout, being responsible for all three of Nashua’s runs. Eastern Nazarene’s lefty bat recorded a two-RBI double along with an RBI groundout as he looks to pick up right where he left off. 

Siena’s Nolan Puglisi closed out the night for the Suns, giving Pittsfield their first win of the season and moving the Knights to 0-1. Nashua will continue their opening road trip Thursday night in Brockton, with a 6:30 meeting against the Rox.