Nighthawks Host Waves With Chance at Winning Record

By Thaddeus Sawyer

After taking down the North Division-leading Sanford Mainers (9-4) for the first time this season on Friday, the Nighthawks (6-6-1) will see some South Division competition with a chance to once again move over .500 for the first time this season.

The Nighthawks will host the Ocean State Waves (5-8) on Saturday in the teams’ first matchup of the season with a key chance to claim their first winning record of 2026.

The team has already faced this position three times this season but has come up short each time, most recently against the North Shore Navigators (6-7) on Thursday.

With a win, the Nighthawks would become just the sixth out of thirteen teams in the league to hold a winning record over a quarter of the way through the season. Only Sanford and the Keene SwampBats(7-4-1) currently hold a winning record in the North.

Looking to finally get the job done on the mound for the Nighthawks will be Rider University right-hander Kyle Batt.

Batt, who was the Broncs’ Saturday starter this past spring, also started game No. 2 of last Saturday’s double header against the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks (10-2). Though the sophomore gave up seven runs across 2 2/3 innings, only three were earned.

Batt said that the familiarity of pitching on Saturdays has helped him to keep his routine through the start of summer.

“It’s the same routine,” Batt said. “I just want to stick to my stuff, be confident in my stuff. I know I can get these guys out.”

Vernon College infielder Jack LaRose poses the biggest threat in the Waves lineup. The former UConn Husky is slashing .419/.500/.452 in 38 plate appearances.

Indiana University outfielder Brodey Bitove is slugging .724, the second-highest mark in the league.

Samuel Fernandez, Thomas Meluskey and Max Farrell are all reaching base at over a .400 clip.

For the Nighthawks, Frank Kelly and James Love continue to be the top two offensive threats, with each driving in a run on Friday.

Levi Jones also looks to be heating up at the plate after a cold start, getting on base three times and notching his first hit of the season on Friday.

First pitch at the Maxfield Sports Complex is scheduled for 6 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on NECBL+.