Five Nighthawks Selected to the 2026 NECBL All-Star Game

By Thaddeus Sawyer

Though the Nighthawks made their final regular season trip to Goodall Park on Friday, five Upper Valley players will be returning to Sanford, Maine on Sunday, July 26. 

James Love, Frank Kelly, Charlie Jones, Brendan Walker and Nick Quagliato have been selected to represent the Nighthawks in the 2026 NECBL All-Star Game.

Both Love and Kelly will appear in the starting nine of Mainers Manager Nic Lops’ lineup card, as Love will get the start at designated hitter and Kelly will line up at third base.

Love has been one of the top performers in the NECBL this summer. The Eastern Illinois infielder leads the league with 42 hits and nine doubles. The third baseman is also top five in batting average, extra-base hits and runs batted in.

“Trying not to think about that stuff, just trying to take it day by day, because you don't want to get too full of yourself and you're trying to be just a humble player," Love said. "Just being able to come out here every day with all the glory that God's given me, it's been pretty cool to see and just meet everyone throughout the league. Just [knowing] that, being one of the better guys here, it's something you can be really proud of. I'm happy with how my summer's gone.”

Love will be joined by his partner on the left side of the infield, Kelly, who will be starting in Love’s natural position. After spending most of the spring as High Point University’s starting second baseman, Kelly has excelled both offensively and defensively as the Nighthawks’ starting shortstop.

The 21-year-old has slashed .311/.430/.398 in 128 plate appearances for the Nighthawks this summer.

Kelly is also top five in the NECBL with 20 stolen bases after stealing four against the Mainers on Friday.

Fellow High Point Panther Charlie Jones will also be making the trip to Sanford after not surrendering an earned run through 15 innings so far this summer. The right-hander has earned three saves.

Jones, who said throwing strikes was a main focus for him this summer, has walked just five batters against 19 strikeouts.

"Just appreciating for the last summer, just taking it all in," Jones said. "Kinda being a little selfish and playing for myself a little bit, because I know that's what young Charlie Jones always dreamed about. 
It's just been a blessing to be up here."

Kelly and Jones join former Nighthawks pitcher Mateo Wells as Nighthawks players from High Point who have made the NECBL All-Star Game in the last two seasons.

“We called our coach today and said, 'maybe if Mateo stayed, we would've probably had three Panthers going there,'" Kelly said. 
"We're just really pumped up. Our coach is excited and he just said, 'keep it going, stay consistent, bring it back to school and keep that rolling.'"

Walker will join Jones in representing a Nighthawks’ bullpen that is tied for the second most saves in the league this summer with nine.

Walker has also yet to allow an earned run this summer in 10 innings across seven appearances, accruing a pair of saves and a win in the process. The right-hander has struck out 15 opposing batters.

“I'm definitely excited to experience it and just gonna try to go and have fun,” Walker said.

Jones and Walker are both returning Nighthawks, as Jones spent 2025 with the Nighthawks while Walker pitched for the club in both 2023 and 2024.

Another returning Nighthawk, Quagliato makes his second NECBL all-star team after previously making the team in 2024.

The catcher has slashed .267/.392/.406 while also helping guide the pitching staff to a 4.14 ERA, the third best in the league. The newly minted Boston College Eagle has notched 15 RBI through 14 games in July thus far.

“It's a great feeling,” Quagliato said. “I love the Upper Valley. This is my home.”

Quagliato also would've played for the Nighthawks in 2025 had an early season shoulder injury not wiped out the rest of his spring and summer.

“This time last year, I was PTing, I wasn't even throwing yet,” Quagliato said. 
”So, just all the hard work, it’s paying off. But, like I said, just not satisfied with anything. Got to keep working, keep chopping wood.”

First pitch for the 2026 All-Star Game is scheduled for 5:10 p.m. The Home Run Derby is scheduled to begin at 2:40 p.m. Gates at Goodall Park will open at 11 a.m.

General admission tickets can be purchased for $10 each. Children five and under may attend free of charge.

Nighthawks fans can also help one more Upper Valley player make the trip to Sanford through NECBL All-Star Fan Vote. Nighthawks starter Trey Sejnoha and five additional players from the North Division are eligible for the vote. A separate vote is also being held for the South Division.

Fans can help Sejnoha reach the 2026 All-Star Game by going to the Instagram post on the official NECBL account and commenting “Trey Sejnoha.”