Nighthawks Head to Holyoke for Rematch with Blue Sox

By Thaddeus Sawyer

The Nighthawks (9-9-1) will trade in the Upper Valley for the Pioneer Valley on Monday as they travel to Holyoke, Massachusetts, to take on the Valley Blue Sox (8-9-1).

The meeting comes just over three weeks after the Nighthawks hosted the Blue Sox in their home opener, a disappointing 14-6 loss.

In that contest, the Nighthawks committed four errors and surrendered five unearned runs. Sunday night was a similar story, as the Nighthawks made another four errors, leading to two unearned runs in the Mountaineers’ 9-0 blowout victory.

The Nighthawks have made the third-most errors in the league this season with 31 miscues in the field, translating to 28 unearned runs off errors across 19 games.

The Upper Valley defense looked to be turning a corner over the last week-plus, as the team made it five straight games without allowing an unearned run, beginning with a 6-4 win over the Mainers on June 19 and ending when the North Adams SteepleCats scored an unearned run on Friday. 

On the season, the Nighthawks are 8-1 when they do not allow an unearned run and 1-8-1 when they do.

Improved defense will be paramount in stopping a Valley offense that ranks in the bottom half of the league in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage from receiving extra opportunities.

Nighthawks pitcher Karl Ralamb will be tasked with keeping the Blue Sox at bay. It’s been a tale of two summers for the right-hander, as the Bellarmine University swingman looked strong out of the bullpen to begin June before allowing four earned runs in just three innings in his first start of the season against the SteepleCats on June 21.   

Valley's top threat is Fordham University infielder Anthony Grabau, who has posted a .879 OPS and is tied with Danbury Westerners’ catcher Collin Mowry for the league lead with four home runs.

Jack Myers and Lucas Alberti have each posted OPS marks above .800 as well, with Myers leading the team with a .457 on-base percentage and 20 hits.

Maddex LaBuda will get the start for the Blue Sox. Similar to Ralamb, LaBuda has worked effectively out of the bullpen in three appearances but struggled in his lone start thus far. The right-hander has posted a 3.55 ERA in 12 2/3 innings overall.

The Nighthawks offense will be looking to bounce back against LaBuda after being blanked by the Mountaineers on Sunday, the first shutout loss suffered by Upper Valley this season.

For just the second time all summer on Sunday, James Love did not reach base before being pinch hit for in the sixth inning. Still, the third baseman has reached base in 16 of his 18 games played and has posted a 1.040 OPS.

First basemen Charley Magoulick and Anthony Greco have offered some pop at the plate as of late, and each recorded one of the Nighthawks’ four hits on Sunday.

Cam Boardman also picked up a hit and has hit safely in four straight games since returning from injury.

All four players were key contributors to an offense that scored 23 runs in 27 innings before Sunday’s setback.

First pitch at Mackenzie Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on ESPN+.