Nighthawks Hit the Road for In-State Matchup Against Mountaineers

By Thaddeus Sawyer

New England is no stranger to legendary sports rivalries.

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. The UConn Huskies and Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

On Wednesday, a smaller rivalry, tucked within the Green Mountains and started in the shadow of the state’s capital, will be reignited for the 10th time as the Nighthawks (4-5-1) hit the highway and head to Montpelier to face the Vermont Mountaineers (5-6) for the beginning of the 2026 Governor’s Cup series.

Upper Valley currently holds a 3-6 record all-time in the Governor’s Cup series. The Nighthawks have gotten close in recent years, as the series has ended in either a 3-3 or 4-4 tie in each of the past three seasons. Still, with the Mountaineers winning the series outright in 2022, they have retained the cup in each of the past three years.

The Nighthawks haven’t taken the cup home since 2021.

As such, in game one of a six-game series this season, the Nighthawks will be looking to take the first step toward reclaiming the cup for the first time in nearly half a decade.

Quinnipiac starter Anthony Bubba will get the ball for Upper Valley as it looks to start the series on a strong note. The right-hander will be making his first start since June 10 against the Sanford Mainers, in which he went three innings and struck out three while allowing only one run.

Nick Falla, Nighthawks outfielder Levi Jones’ teammate at San Diego State, will get the start for the Mountaineers. In six innings so far this summer, the right-hander has given up two runs while striking out five batters.

The Mountaineers have been the league’s most active team on the base paths, leading the NECBL with 39 stolen bases, though they are the only team in the league with a caught stealing mark in the double digits.

Four different Mountaineers have swiped at least six bags, with middle infielders Brayden Leonard and Matthew Minckler tied for second in the league with seven apiece.

With top offensive contributor Kevin Hagar getting the night off on Wednesday, it will be up to Leonard and left fielder David Alvarez, who is slashing .467/.529/.667 through his first 17 plate appearances, to carry the load.

With a 1.089 OPS, third baseman James Love continues to be the Nighthawks’ top threat, while fellow infielder Frank Kelly has posted a .989 OPS mark in 11 plate appearances since arriving last week.

Beyond taking an early lead in the Governor’s Cup series, a win tonight would move Upper Valley ahead of Vermont and into third place in the North Division standings. 

First pitch at Montpelier Recreation Field, which features one of only four grandstands in the state of Vermont, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on NECBL+ and Unbeaten.