James Love Named NECBL Player of the Week for Opening Week
Love led the league with a .615 batting average through the first weekend of the season.
By Thaddeus Sawyer
Nighthawks third baseman James Love has been named NECBL Player of the Week for opening week.
Love has been on a tear in his first three games of NECBL action, slashing .615/.643/.923 in 13 at-bats and leading qualified hitters in batting average. He also leads the league in hits (8) and total bases (12).
“Just kind of trying to get acclimated here, it's been a pretty easy transition for me,” Love said. “Just being up here has been really cool. I think the environment's a lot different than the Midwest and the Chicago area, but it's a good little change that I've enjoyed.”
The Illinois native earned All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team honors in his second season at Eastern Illinois University in 2026, posting a .976 OPS and leading the Panthers with a .444 on-base percentage.
Love has led the Nighthawks in hits in each of their first three contests, including a three-hit performance in Sunday's home opener against the Valley Blue Sox.
“Being in front of fans yesterday [at home] was pretty cool,” Love said. “Obviously, it didn't go the way we wanted to, but just getting acclimated up here has been honestly pretty easy for me.”
Love and the Nighthawks will return to action on Tuesday on the road against the Keene Swamp Bats at 6:35 p.m.
Upper Valley fans can follow Love on Instagram at @james.love27.