All-Star Break Recap
By: Brendan Bowlin
White River Junction, Vt. – Before the stars shine bright at one of the brightest fields in all of the NECBL, we must reflect on the season at a glance so far. Through the wins and losses, one trait that has been consistently defined among this ever-changing roster is grit.
The Nighthawks currently sit in fourth place in the North Division standings with a 15-19 record, just a game ahead of the fifth-place North Shore Navigators. They’ve won five of their last ten games, including the 11-4 win over the red-hot Sanford Mainers that saw the Nighthawks reach their season high 13 hits in a single game.
In June, it looked to be a promising start for the Nighthawks, which started with a 5-0 win over the North Shore Navigators on Opening Day. While the Nighthawks did drop their next game to the Keene Swamp Bats, the Nighthawks would win their next three games until the Swamp Bats would snap the early streak on a walkoff hit by pitch. They started a “3 game series” with the Mainers after which they went 1-2 with their only win being the 11-1 rout that sparked the second time in a week the Nighthawks had scored ten or more runs in a game. The next challenge was the first doubleheader of the season against the first place Keene Swamp Bats. Although the Swamp Bats took game one of the doubleheader, the boys split the series with an 8-7 victory in game two. What followed was a win against North Adams and a loss versus North Shore before the next landmark of the season came in taking on southern division opponents. The Nighthawks’ first opponent in the Ocean State Waves although had some late power hitting, was no match for the early bird offense as the ‘Hawks won a decisive 7-4 game. June 26th saw a doubleheader with the Mystic Schooners which was split, followed by a 3-0 loss to the Bristol Blues. After a Saturday loss at North Shore, it was another South Division doubleheader that saw the defending champion Newport Gulls. Game one saw the craziest extra inning game in franchise history, despite the loss. In game two, a forty-five minute fog delay saw the Nighthawks having to wait for the clearance and despite the late seventh inning spark, would fall and be swept for the first time this season. The Nighthawks started off the season with a 9-11 record in June.
July saw four games in the first ten days against the Mountaineers in search of the Governors Cup. Vermont would win the first three including a July 4th doubleheader sweep to secure the Governors Cup for the first time since 2022. Game four proved to be the revenge tour as the Nighthawks pummeled the Mountaineers 11-2. On top of that game four win, the Nighthawks rallied of two late-game comebacks to secure wins against the Valley Blue Sox and a second win over the Ocean State Waves, in front of the home crowd in the Max. Heading into mid July and the fight for the playoffs inching ever so closely, the grind started as the boys started things off with a three run shutout over the Danbury Westerners. And while the next loss against the Swamp Bats certainly hurt, the Nighthawks took their fight (and patience) to Vineyard and secured a doubleheader split against the Sharks, thanks in part to the firework show in both games. The Nighthawks carried the high-powered offense back with them as they pummeled the Mainers 11-4. And while the Nighthawks dropped their last three before the break, the Nighthawks managed to squeak out a run in each of the three games against some of the top arms in the league. The Nighthawks sit 6-8 in the Month of July, with 9 games and one finishing game left to play on the season.
The roster ever so changing will be primed and ready to get back and playing.The pitching staff led by All-Star Aaron Potter and his mix of Baylor Hicks, newcomer Drew Koenen, Nick Tamburro, Tyler Hemmesch, Will Harrigan, and Baylor Hicks. The bullpen included a mix of newcomers like Tadan Bell and Matt Direnzo, along with mainstays like All-Star Mateo Wells, Michael Bradshaw, Charlie Jones and Jack Ruditzky who looked to flash his potential in a phenomenal outing against Bristol. The infield sees plenty of talent which includes All-Star AJ Brotz and veteran Michael Trommer, has seen some talent new and old in the faces of Ryan Preisano, Joe Terranova, and Jake Elbeery, with the occasional appearance from Anthony Greco. The catching is also bolstered very deep with Cam Boardman and All-Star Nick Shuhet. Santiago Ordonez has been a solid newcomer who plays a phenomenal defense. The outfield led by outfielder and two-time All-Star Cole Fellows has seen plenty of change, but Greco remains his counterpart in the corner outfield. Nick Monile has been a solid staple in centerfield this season, but Luca Reyes should add to the outfield nicely as well.
The Nighthawks will start out of the All-Star break hungry for a playoff spot, and eager to get back above .500 as they start off with a doubleheader against the third-place North Adams Steeplecats for the final time at Joe Wolfe Field. Tadan Bell will get his first start of the season in game one against the Steeplecats at 4:00 PM. Nick Tamburro will get the ball in game two which starts at approximately 6:30 PM (or 30-45 minutes after the conclusion of game one.) If you can’t make it to the ballpark, be sure to tune in on NECBL+ where you can watch live and past games around the NECBL!
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