Knights

Friday, July 19, 2024

By: Dan Allison | Silver Knights media relations

A short week ago, the Silver Knights found themselves in the dumps while caught in a five-game losing streak and losing road trip in Vermont. Now, after a home win against Worcester on Thursday, Nashua blew off more of last week’s pent-up steam with two dominating wins in Brockton 15-1 and 7-0. 

A successful Friday afternoon that included the Knights outscoring the Rox 22-1 pushed Nashua to a three-game winning streak, coming at a much-needed time as the Futures League inches closer to the All-Star Break.

In game one, the Knights lineup wasted no time getting to work. A five spot in the second catapulted them to an early lead, while a six-run fifth inning clinched a mercy rule win as the game was shortened to five innings in the already shortened seven-inning contest.

Eight of the nine Silver Knight hitters recorded an RBI in the matinee, with the 1-4 hitters contributing nine of the 14. SNHU’s Shane McNamara had another massive game, posting a three-RBI performance that included a two-RBI triple in the final frame. 

Keene State’s Tommy Ahlers, Richmond’s Brady O’Brien, Central Michigan’s Drew Loikits, and Endicott’s James Benestad all posted two RBIs as well with O’Brien and Benestad supplying three-hit games.

Southern Maine’s Jason Libby, with a lead in hand, delivered just what the Knights needed to get to the finish line. Despite seven hits, Libby only allowed one run in five innings. 

With a monster game one win in hand, the Knights headed into game two looking for their first doubleheader sweep of the season.

Game Two

It was a case of “Deja Vu” early in game two, with Nashua teeing off for a crooked number in the second inning once again. Six runs in the second allowed the Knights to cruise behind some stellar pitching in the eventual 7-0 win.

Tommy Ahlers sketched his name in the RBI column once again, delivering a two-RBI double in the big second frame. Ahlers now sits in second in the league for RBIs with 29, leading the Silver Knights. 

Loikits and McNamara rejoined the party as well with RBI knocks, as SNHU’s Nater Wachter and Northeastern’s Will Fosberg brought in their first runs of the day. 

On the hill, Assumption’s Alex Meesig started things off for Nashua. The Silver Knight returnee from the past two seasons was great in his first outing of 2024, shutting out Brockton for three innings with four strikeouts on just one hit. Matt Pappalardo, a sophomore from Endicott, followed Meesig out of the bullpen to make his season debut as well. 

Pappalrado picked up right where Meesig left off as he matched his box score, tossing three scoreless frames on just one hit also. Following two dominant performances, UMass Lowell’s Andres Hulfachor entered the seventh to cap off the successful day in Massachusetts.

Hulfachor struck out two in the stress-free inning, giving the Knights another big win. On a three-game tear now, the Knights will enjoy an off-day on Saturday before heading back to Brockton on Sunday for another afternoon matchup.

Nashua and the Rox are set for a 1:30 PM first pitch on Sunday.