Nighthawks Sweep Season Series at Home Against Navigators

By Thaddeus Sawyer

With a chance at earning a spot in the 2026 NECBL All-Star Game on the line, Upper Valley Nighthawks starter Trey Sejnoha gave fans an efficient demonstration on why he deserves to be the North Division’s fan vote winner.

Facing 18 batters and using just 59 pitches across four scoreless innings of work, the Dartmouth College right-hander struck out four to move inside the top five in the NECBL with 34 strikeouts on the summer.

“Just trusting the process, trying to put a whole season together,” Sejnoha said. “Playing summerball, [I] haven't got to do that in the past. Getting to be here for a whole summer is nice. It’s nice to finally put a whole year together, especially starting.”

The Nighthawks likely would’ve shut out the North Shore Navigators for a second time this season had it not been for an errant fly ball in the eighth inning that center fielder Alex Kelsey lost in the lights, allowing Navigators catcher Danny Leikus to cruise into second with a two-RBI two-base error.

Still, all-star closer Brendan Walker came in for the ninth inning to slam the door shut on a game that was already well decided as the Nighthawks (20-15-1) downed the Navigators (18-19), 10-2.

Though Kelsey’s defensive miscue gifted the Navigators their only two runs, the University of Kentucky outfielder largely made up for the error earlier in the game with a pair of RBI singles.

The first came in the opening frame after shortstop Frank Kelly led off the inning with a triple. The second brought Kelly around in the third after a single and stolen base from the spark plug infielder.

Kelsey said that he was looking to be aggressive early with a runner in scoring position.

“I know I can hit whatever pitch I want, so I just try and make contact early in the count,” Kelsey said. “That's just what I did.”

Kelsey also added a double in a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. The 20-year-old has now notched six hits in his last 10 plate appearances across his last two games, posting three extra-base hits and three RBIs.

“Honestly, I've just been going up there with a kind of screw it mentality,” Kelsey said. “It's been kind of working, so just keep doing it.”

After catching a first pitch from his father, Arnaldo, prior to the game, third baseman Alejandro Puig produced a three-hit, two-RBI performance en route to being awarded the lineup card by Nighthawks Manager Chase Allen. The Dartmouth infielder lended a helping hand to his school teammate Sejnoha with a bases loaded hit by pitch in the seventh and a run-scoring single in the eighth.

Making his first start in two weeks follwing an injury and his debut at first base, fellow Dartmouth infielder AJ DeMastrie followed up Puig’s bases loaded hit by pitch with one of his own a batter later.

Not only did Kelly give the Nighthawks three hits as a consummate table setter, but the High Point University middle infielder remained within the top five of the NECBL’s stolen base leaderboard with his third inning swipe to reach 21 on the season.

Right fielder Levi Jones drove in a team-high three RBIs, including a two-run triple in the sixth that marked the San Diego State outfielder’s second extra-base hit in July.

Second baseman Tim Dickinson took sole possession of the NECBL lead for doubles at 10 with a lofty fly ball over the head of Navigators right fielder Grant Hunter in the eighth.

In addition to Walker’s shutout inning, George Creighton also worked a scoreless frame while Nick Tamburro sat down the Navigators in order in both the fifth and sixth. Julian Rondon struck out a pair in one inning of work, with the only damage against the Liberty University left-hander being the two unearned runs.

In three trips to the Maxfield Sports Complex this season, the Navigators managed just three runs, only one of which was earned. The Nighthawks are 3-2 against North Shore so far this season and will travel to Fraser Field one final time on Tuesday, July 28.

Before then, the Nighthawks will prepare for what may be their final trip to Connecticut this season. After an off day on Tuesday, the Nighthawks will face the Bristol Blues (18-19) on Wednesday. The Blues previously defeated the Nighthawks on July 6, 9-5.

First pitch at Muzzy Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans can stream the contest live on ESPN+.