Nighthawks Take Down SwampBats for First Series Lead of the Season

By Thaddeus Sawyer

It might have taken nine extra innings, but the Nighthawks (2-3-1) have finally taken the first lead in their season series against the Keene SwampBats (4-1-1).

For the first time since 2021, the Nighthawks took the first win in the season series, 6-2, on Thursday night to hand the SwampBats their first loss of 2026. The six runs are the most the Nighthawks have scored against the SwampBats since June 19, 2025, when they scored eight runs in game two of a doubleheader that also marked the last time the Nighthawks had beaten Keene prior to Thursday.

Though the SwampBats struck first on a hard RBI single from designated hitter Griffin Enis in center field in the top of the second, the Nighthawks responded with a five-run third inning, their biggest scoring inning of the season to this point.

After Cam Boardman singled and William Hurt walked to put a pair of runners on, James Love worked a four-pitch free pass to leave SwampBats starter Ryan Bailey on the ropes. With Bailey struggling to find the zone, the Nighthawks’ hottest hitter, first baseman Charley Magoulick, stepped up to the plate.

While Bailey found the zone for strike one, the right-hander found a little too much of the plate on the second pitch of the at-bat as Magoulick roped a hard liner toward the right-center field gap. Though center fielder Luke Boykin got to the ball in time to keep it from rolling to the wall, the Samford University outfielder overran the ball and gave Magoulick the chance to stretch his single into a two-RBI double.

That was just the start, as the next batter, shortstop Tim Dickinson clobbered a double of his own that one-hopped the wall in left to clear the other two runners and chase Bailey from the ballgame. That didn't stop the bleeding, as Middle Tennessee State left fielder Brooks Craigue sent a seeing eye single back up the middle against reliever Brayden Gilson to tack one more run on for good measure.

Somehow, that trio of run-scoring hits paled in comparison to what was about to take place the next inning. After reaching on another single and being forced over to second on a walk, Boardman tagged up and went to third to leave runners on the corners in the bottom of the fourth.

That’s when the baserunning game began. Hurt, who had walked, took off for second and drew a throw from catcher Nolan Belcher. That gave Boardman the green light to go home. With the throw coming in offline and short of home plate, Boardman dove headfirst, swimming over the outstretched arm of Belcher and flying into home plate to steal home.

Boardman then had to scramble back home to make sure he touched the plate, while Hurt was trying for third. While Hurt was thrown out with feet to spare, the distraction ensured Boardman got back safely and the run counted to push the Nighthawks’ lead to five. 

Though the SwampBats got one back from an RBI single from right fielder Eli Stephens and the Nighthawks notched just one hit after the fourth, the Nighthawks pitching staff essentially silenced Keene all evening.

Getting his revenge after being walked-off in the NECBL postseason last year, High Point pitcher Mateo Wells went five strong innings, allowing just one run and striking out five to become the first Nighthawks starter to earn a victory this season.

“I feel good,” Wells said. “
Just getting back used to seeing hitters again. Just trusting my stuff and attacking hitters. Allowing my defense to be great, because I love these guys behind me. They’re doing a great job, so I trust them with everything.”

Virginia Tech reliever Danny Lazaro also gave the Nighthawks two innings of one-run relief, while fellow High Point pitcher Charlie Jones spun two perfect innings to close out the game, punching out three SwampBats.

Catchers Boardman and A.J. DeMastrie led the Nighthawks with two hits apiece on the day. Boardman and Love both extended their on-base streaks to six games to start the year.

Up next, the Nighthawks will spend the weekend on the road, starting Friday night in North Adams as they take on the SteepleCats (0-4). First pitch at Joe Wolfe Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game will stream live on NECBL+.

“Obviously, we've had some games where we haven't shown our best stuff, but just having that confidence again of we just played the reigning champions, got a win,” Wells said. “We also played Newport, got a win. Just continuing this momentum, stacking more days and allowing our guys to be our guys,”