Nighthawks Win Second Straight Contest Over Keene

By Thaddeus Sawyer

By the time Upper Valley shortstop Frank Kelly stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with the bases loaded and facing a one-run deficit, the Nighthawks (4-5-1) had just three hits to their name.

At the end of the inning, they had only one more, the fourth hit that would be their final of the game.

Fortunately, that hit, an RBI single off the bat of Kelly that fell into center field, would be enough to even the score. 

“Bases loaded, I was just trying to put it in the air, score the guy and tie the game,” Kelly said. “It wasn't on the barrel, but it did the job, so that's all I was trying to do.”

Five pitches later, right fielder William Hurt took the Nighthawks’ league-leading 18th hit by pitch of the season to keep the carousel moving and force in what would end up being the game-winning run in the Nighthawks’ 2-1 victory over the Keene SwampBats (5-3-1) on Monday night.

“I think [the team] took the day yesterday and got their feet underneath them,” Nighthawks Manager Chase Allen said. “Guys were hungry, came out, took some early work. Then, it was just about weathering that game. I mean, it wasn't going to be high scoring. 
The pitchers were throwing well on both sides. We capitalized on that iffy inning that they had. … We were able to get two, and I’m just proud of the guys.”

After holding Keene to 2 1/3 scoreless innings in last Tuesday’s 3-3 tie, Nighthawks starter Chase Chamberlain showed improved control on Monday, using his fastball to get ahead in counts. The right-hander punched out three batters in 3 2/3 innings of work, allowing just one run.

“I faced some of the same batters, so I knew where their weak spots [were] at,” Chamberlain said. “But the new guys, just trust your stuff and get them out.”

The SwampBats’ only run on the day came off of a throwing error from Kelly on a potential double play, allowing right fielder Chris Polemeni to adavnce from second to home.

Though Samford University right-hander Noah Berry gave the SwampBats five scoreless frames on five strikeouts and departed his start in line for the win, it was the Nighthawks’ bullpen that excelled after their starter was done for the evening.

Vincent Luther, Joey Young and Julian Rondon combined for 5 ⅓ innings of shutout relief, each setting a SwampBat down on strikes. Luther and Young each went multiple innings. 

After giving up the equalizing run in the 11th inning in Tuesday’s tie, Young was credited with the win. Rondon picked up his first save of the season.

At the plate, Kelly finished the day with a pair of knocks to lead the Nighthawks. Catcher Nick Quagliato and first baseman Charley Magoulick also each had a hit.

In his return to the Nighthawks lineup after a week away visiting schools, center fielder Alex Kelsey walked once and swiped a bag.

For the first time all season, third baseman James Love didn’t reach base, snapping a nine-game on-base streak.

With the win, the Nighthawks move to .500 at home for the first time this season.

The Nighthawks’ 2-0-1 start against the SwampBats in 2026 is their best since 2021. That season, Upper Valley won the first two contests of the series before dropping the final five.

“It's funny because you have all the different teams in history and whatnot, and we really don't talk much about it with the guys,” Allen said. “
It's really just keep playing the game, no matter who's on the other side, home or away. I think they've done a really good job with that. You’ve seen in the games, Keene's a really good ball club, so we've been fortunate to come out on top and to run into the 11 innings and pull a tie when we went to their place. Good ball club, we're obviously going to play them more, so look forward to those.”

The Nighthawks and SwampBats will next meet on July 9 at Alumni Field in Keene.

However, before that, the Nighthawks will turn their attention to renewing a different rivalry as they get ready to face off against the Vermont Mountaineers in game one of a six-game season series for a chance at the Governors’ Cup.

First pitch for Wednesday’s contest at Montpelier Recreation Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The contest will stream live on NECBL+ and Unbeaten.