Knights

Sunday, May 26, 2024

By: Dan Allison | Silver Knights media relations

In an afternoon of lead changes and late-game drama, the Nashua Silver Knights captured their first victory of 2024 in a thrilling 8-7 extra-inning finish. 

Nashua fought back after letting up a six spot in the seventh, adding two in the bottom of the frame to tie it 7-7. Following a scoreless eighth and ninth, New Britain started the tenth with a ghost runner on second with Wake Forest’s Andrew Koshy on the bump.

Koshy would get in trouble early, walking the first batter he faced. With runners on first and second, New Britain would try to drop down a bunt to move the runners. The bunt caught some air, allowing Siena’s Jeff Valdez to make a diving catch and double up the runner on second. 

Nashua opened the tenth with a single for Keene State’s Tommy Ahlers, giving the Knights the bases loaded after an intentional walk to Northeastern’s Will Fosberg.

Following his defensive heroics, Valdez stepped into the box with a chance to finish it. On a 1-1 pitch, Valdez would wear one on the back for a walk-off hit by pitch and the first win for the red and black.

Despite the onslaught of runs on the scoreboard, Sunday’s matchup began as a pitchers' duel. Saint Anselm’s Andrew Chenevert and RIT’s Alexander Slotter would dominate in the first five frames. Through the first half of the game, the two arms would combine for eight scoreless.

Both teams were deadlocked at one entering the sixth until Nashua finally cracked Slotter’s code. Husson’s Kevin Connolly would lead off with a single followed by a double from Keene State’s Tommy Ahler. Runners on second and third, Albany’s Derek Finlay would cash in with a two-RBI single.

Slotter was knocked out of the game, with the Bees turning to Babson’s Triston Pearl to take over. On the first batter he saw, UMass Lowell’s River Hart would crush a ball to deep left for a two-run shot. With the Holman faithful on their feet, it was quickly 5-1 Knights.

After a dream of a sixth, the seventh would turn into a nightmare. Chenevert ran into trouble after six strong innings, giving up a base knock and hitting two batters to load the bases with no outs.

UCONN’s Brett Davino stepped into the box and, in the blink of an eye, scorched a ball on the first pitch that rattled off the right field foul pole. Nashua’s vibes turned in a matter of seconds, and it was a tied-ball game once again. 

New Britain tacked on two more in that inning to take a 7-5 lead, sucking the air out of Holman Stadium. On the brink of getting swept on the homestand, the Knights' offense looked to make one last push.

In the bottom of the seventh, Clark’s Ryan Caulfield would lead off with a double to swing some momentum. After two quick outs, Ahlers would work a two-out walk to keep the inning alive. Ahlers, with dangerous speed, would cause the Bees to throw down to second and overthrow the bag. Caulfield came home as a result, making it 7-6.

Down by one, Ahlers continued to cause chaos on the base path as he took third on a passed ball. Stony Brook’s Scott Gell gathered himself to try and catch Ahlers, but the throw would get away and Ahlers would dart home. The energy was back in the building as the two teams were back at even.

Ahlers was part of a Nashua top-of-the-order that made the difference for the Knights, posting six hits and four RBI between Ahlers, Finlay, Hart, and Fosberg. Some great pitching from Brown’s Stiles Begnaud would set the table for Koshy in the ninth and tenth, letting Valdez put the exclamation point on the dramatic victory.

Heading on the road for the first time in 2024, the Knights will take on the reigning champions in the Norwich Sea Unicorns on Monday. First pitch at 4:00 PM. Visit https://nashuasilverknights.com/home/ or call the office at 603-718-8883 for tickets to any future home games. Can’t make it out to the stadium? Watch the Silver Knights at home or on the go at https://fcblnetwork.com/NashuaSK/ and follow us on social media to track scores and updates.