Nighthawks Travel to Historic Cardines Field to take on Newport Gulls

By Thaddeus Sawyer

The Nighthawks (0-1) will travel to historic Cardines Field on Friday to take on the Newport Gulls (0-0-1) in their home opener.

Both teams will be taking a second crack at win No. 1 on the season. The Nighthawks fell victim to a late comeback from the Sanford Mainers on Thursday in a 5-4 loss, while the Gulls scored two runs in the ninth against the Valley Blue Sox to force extras in a game that remained tied at two after the maximum 12 innings.

Offensively, the Nighthawks received production throughout the lineup, with eight of nine Upper Valley starters getting on base at least once. The only one who didn’t, San Diego State outfielder Levi Jones, instead picked up a big RBI in the third inning that ended up being crucial in sending the game into extra innings.

St. Joseph’s University outfielder Alex Kelsey picked up right where he left off for the Hawks, reaching base three times and swiping a bag in the first inning that turned into a run.

Eastern Illinois University infielder James Love also collected three hits, including a triple.

Over in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the Blue Sox held the Gulls to just four hits on the day, with three coming during the ninth inning rally.

It will be up to Dartmouth College right-hander Trey Sejnoha to shut down the Gulls’ lineup for a second straight day, as the upcoming senior is expected to get the start on the mound for the Nighthawks.

Pitching in the heart of the Upper Valley this spring, the 22-year-old worked as a reliever but went three or more innings five times. In 37.1 innings, Sejnoha posted a 4.34 ERA. Friday’s start will be his first since 2023, when he started one game for the Minnesota Mud Puppies in the Northwoods League.

The Gulls lineup features an abundance of talent from the Power Four conferences, including Rutgers University teammates Ryan Jaros and Tristan Salinas. Both posted OPS marks over .800 as members of the starting lineup for the Scarlet Knights.

University of Pittsburgh outfielder Mason Ligenza was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and slashed .292/.393/.667 with a 1.060 OPS in 56 at-bats as a freshman after opting to honor his commitment to the Panthers.

Newport returner Ryan Novak smacked 13 home runs and 14 doubles for Miami (Ohio), while both Patrick Walsh and Chris Klug performed well for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Cardines Field, the home of the Gulls, dates back to at least 1908 and has hosted baseball legends from Satchel Paige to Larry Doby. Babe Ruth is even rumored to have both pitched and hit at the ballpark during his barnstorming days, according to the Newport Gulls website.

Cardines Field’s quirks include the lack of foul territory and the side-by-side dugouts on the first base line.

The Nighthawks’ last victory against the Gulls came on July 2, 2018, a 6-5 victory at Cardines Field. Upper Valley will have two opportunities to snap that losing streak this season, as the Gulls will visit the Maxfield Sports Complex on Tuesday, June 30.

First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Nighthawks fans can stream the game live on ESPN+.