Nighthawks fall short in a messy Opening Day Game
By: Patrick McCaw
Photo Credit: Riley Bergstrom
KEENE, NH - The Upper Valley Nighthawks' comeback attempt fell short against the Keene Swamp Bats on Wednesday night. The NECBL Opening Day game ended with a final score of 6-4.
The starting pitching battle between Upper Valley's Jacob Lapham and Keene's Cole Stallings saw many highs and lows. Lapham started his season on a shaky note by walking three of his first four batters. The bases were loaded in the bottom of the the first, and Swamp Bat second baseman Garrett Rice swung for the fences. Rice's first at bat of the season put the Swamp Bats up 4-0.
Keene only recorded three hits throughout the game, but with six pitcher errors and multiple players hit by pitches the Swamp Bats saw many scoring opportunities throughout the contest.
After a nightmarish way to start the season, Lapham found his rhythm. Upper Valley Pitching Coach Chad Sturgeon is not worried about Lapham's slow start. "There is always an adjustment period at the beginning of summer baseball with both hitters and pitchers. Jacob threw a fantastic three innings after the grand slam. We can fully expect that Jacob for the rest of the summer." Sturgeon said.
Upper Valley's offense also fell victim to a slow start. After only one hit through five innings the Nighthawks' bats started connecting. With two runners on at the top of the sixth, Stephen Harrington's powerful swing sent the ball over the right field fence, scoring Upper Valley's second and third runs of the season.
"Home runs don't come around often and I can't say I was expecting to get one in the first game, but it can help get the ball rolling." Harrington said. "Early in the season is always tough to hit. With a new environment, and a new team this was expected, a low scoring game." After a big confidence boost in the sixth, the Nighthawks only found themselves down one run.
The rust was evident on both sides during Opening Day. Late in the game both teams saw error after error. Keene's scored in the bottom of the eighth due to a balk from pitcher Luis Misla. "We need to throw more strikes," Sturgeon said. "Our guys have excellent stuff, even with the high walks we had 11 strike outs and only gave up three hits. I have full confidence In our guys and to throw them out there again when they are ready."
The Upper Valley Nighthawks will travel to Ocean State tomorrow to take on the Waves at 6:30 PM.
