Nighthawks Overcome Late Keene Comeback Attempt to Win Third Straight

By Thaddeus Sawyer

After nearly four hours, a lightning delay and 12 Nighthawks (14-13-1) runs, Upper Valley’s Tuesday night contest against the Keene SwampBats (15-12-1) finally entered the bottom of the ninth inning with the Nighthawks holding a ten-run lead.

The only problem? Aaron Robinson, who had already pitched two-plus innings going into the final frame, was quickly nearing his pitch limit for the day. The left-hander had also been the last arm available as the team played a fourth-straight game.

A Chris Polemeni home run and a pair of walks ended Robinson’s day with just one out away in the ninth, meaning that manager Chase Allen would have to make some sort of move to the bullpen. However, instead of a traditional reliever, the call to the bullpen instead came in for third baseman James Love, who had been practicing throwing out the stretch during his warm up throws at the start of the inning.

“I pitched a little bit freshman year in the scrimmages and stuff, and I threw pretty hard, but other than that, I haven't really pitched in a while,” Love said. “It was good to step out there and still light up the radar gun a little bit.”

Working with a high 80s fastball and slider, Love recorded a strikeout but also walked three and surrendered an RBI single. With the bases loaded and two outs, in came first baseman Anthony Greco to close out the contest.

Greco, who hadn’t played since the Nighthawks’ July 4 contest against the Mountaineers, said that he had always been a good strike thrower in high school and still retained that ability.

Unfortunately, second baseman Gavin Speirs sent Greco’s first strike over the center field wall for a grand slam that cut the Nighthawks’ lead from six to two. 

The next batter, Polemeni, did the same, sending a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence for his second home run of the inning.

“At that rate, I was giving up a home run every at-bat,” Greco said. “I was probably in my head, if this continues, probably going to give up another home run. It's not going to be good. 
But, at the same time, you just gotta believe in yourself, no matter matter what situation you're in."

Ultimately, that belief helped Greco get the job done. Though third baseman Micah Kendrick gave a 2-1 pitch a ride in the next at-bat, the drive traveled straight into the glove of center fielder Alex Kelsey to finally end a 12-11 Nighthawks victory against the SwampBats over four hours after the game's first pitch had been thrown.

"I just want to say that that's not my best outing," Greco said. "
I know that for a fact. Going in there, I just thought to throw strikes, have fun. This was my first time pitching college, definitely never going to do it again after that outing, but just had fun."

Guiding Love and Greco through their impromptu outings was catcher Nick Quagliato, who earlier in the day had launched a 370 foot laser off the roof of the barn in right field for a three-run homer. The ball left the bat at 100 mph.

“I'm feeling pretty good right now," Quagliato said. "The season's full of ups and downs, just trying to stay in the middle. Trying to stay consistent, fighting for the boys. Just pass the baton over to the next guy, staying simple.”

Quagliato also notched an RBI groundout in the third inning to make it four RBIs on the day. "Sarge" has driven in 10 runs over the Nighthawks last three games, all victories.

Second baseman Tim Dickinson also recorded an RBI for the third straight contest, singling to left in the fifth inning to spark a four-run frame that also saw Jonathan Holt and Frank Kelly force runs across with RBI walks. That was Holt’s second RBI walk of the day after the first baseman also drew a free pass with the bases loaded in the second.

Kyle Langley stayed hot with his fourth RBI in three games on a groundout in the second, while Love led the Nighthawks with three hits and chipped in a pair of RBIs.

The third baseman now has 10 hits in four games since returning to the lineup on Monday after a three-game absence.

"Honestly, just hit the ball and hit the ball," Love said. "Just trying to keep it really simple. Ever since I came back, I've just been seeing it really well and 
it's been working, so just trying to keep the same approach every at-bat and not really change anything."

Anthony Bubba made the start for the Nighthawks and came just one out shy of making it five innings to qualify for a win. Instead, the right-hander tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs while punching out six SwampBats.

The only damage against the Quinnipiac pitcher came in the fourth, when left fielder Dylan Fitzsimmons launched a home run to dead center field that traveled just over 350 feet for a two-run home run.

Nico Senese, Tanner Beliveau and Avery Smith all picked up RBIs in the ninth for Keene.

After sweeping a three-game road trip to get back over .500, the Nighthawks will return home on Friday to host the Vermont Mountaineers in a rematch of Wednesday’s victory.

The Nighthawks will need another win to keep their Governor’s Cup hopes alive, as the series is currently tied at 2-2. The Mountaineers retain the cup in the event of a tie, meaning that a Vermont win would clinch them the cup.

First pitch at the Maxfield Sports Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m. The contest will stream live on NECBL+.

"The season's full ups and downs," Quagliato said. 
"That's just part of the game. As long as we have that trust and confidence in each other and pick each other up each and every single day, we're going to be a really good team for playoffs, for sure."