Wells, Nighthawks Hit the Road for Rematch with Waves

By Thaddeus Sawyer

Mateo Wells has been one of the top pitchers in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this season.

Tied for eighth with 14 1/3 innings pitched with a 1-0 record, the right-hander has dominated to the tune of a 1.26 ERA while punching out 10.67 batters per nine innings and maintaining a WHIP under one.

“I’m just trusting my stuff, trusting my catcher and the defense behind me,” Wells said. 
”Knowing that I got a lot of really good guys, talented people behind me. Knowing that if the ball's put in play, they can go do something about it. That's really it, just trusting my stuff and having a good time out there.”

Wells will make his fourth start of the summer Thursday as the Nighthawks travel to South Kingstown, Rhode Island to take on the Ocean State Waves (6-10).

The Nighthawks have been on a tear as of late. After being swept in both games of a doubleheader in Martha’s Vineyard (12-4) on June 13, Upper Valley has ripped off five wins in seven contests. That includes a 5-4 comeback victory over the Waves last Saturday.

Wells, who is in his second year with the Nighthawks and was a member of the first Upper Valley team to make the NECBL playoffs since 2021 last summer, said that this team is as close as any that he has been a part of with the organization.

“Team chemistry is probably at an all-time high,” Wells said. “We're all just having fun, … just starting to have a real team, family-esque bond. I think it's really special to see it grow, especially from being here from day one, just seeing how everyone has been getting along.”

The pitching staff showed plenty of chemistry on Thursday, blanking the North Shore Navigators (6-9) 8-0 while holding the Navs hitless over the final eight innings.

A myriad of Nighthawks bats also produced in the victory. Usual contributors Willie Hurt and James Love tied for the team lead with three RBIs apiece, while shortstop Frank Kelly chipped in three stolen bases to move into a tie for the league lead at 11.

The bottom of the lineup also applied pressure, with second baseman Tim Dickinson producing a team-leading two hits.

Catcher and designated hitter Cam Boardman also returned to the lineup for the first time in nearly a week after missing time with an injury, collecting a hit.

The Nighthawks worked 12 walks as a team.

Pitching opposite Wells and looking to slow down the Nighthawks’ surging lineup is expected to be Waves pitcher Kayden Faulcon. The right-hander, who is currently in the transfer portal, has made three starts in his second summer with Ocean State. 

Faulcon was solid through his first two appearances, giving up two earned runs in a combined eight innings, but surrendered three earned runs in as many innings in his last start against the Newport Gulls (9-7-1) on June 18.

At the plate, Indiana University right fielder Brodey Bitove leads the Waves with a 1.040 OPS and seven extra-base hits. University of Rhode Island infielder Jack LaRose and New Mexico State outfielder Tommy Meluskey have each posted OPS marks of .900 or better as well.

Bryant University outfielder Charlie Saul has struggled overall at the dish with a .298 on-base percentage but does lead the team with three home runs. The right-handed hitter is the only player on the roster with more than one this summer.

First pitch at Old Mountain Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The game is expected to stream live on NECBL+.