The Upper Valley Nighthawks wasted no time getting back to over .500 this season, powered by an offense that has finally illustrated its potential.
Upper Valley answered an early deficit with 10 straight runs en route to 13-4 win over the Newport Gulls on Wednesday night at Cardines Field in Newport, R.I.
Second baseman Brian Mims, of North Carolina-Wilmington, and shortstop Al Molina (Seton Hall) led the way offensively with a combined two home runs, six hits, seven RBIs and four runs scored in only their first week in Nighthawks uniforms.
“It’s been great,” Nighthawks manager Nick Cenatiempo said in a phone interview. “They’ve been swinging the bat very well, they’ve been aggressive early in the counts. They’re also allowing us to give guys some rest and get their legs under them.”
Upper Valley (6-5) has combined for 34 hits and 24 runs in two games after just 19 hits and six runs in its three-game skid this past weekend.
“We’ve been doing a lot of bat-speed drills, making the bat feel light, staying inside the ball, not breaking our wrists,” Nighthawks assistant coach Matt Lynch said, also in a phone interview. “Just back to the basics, talking about approaches at the plates, counts, what to look for. Kind of slowing the game down, being prepared early.”
For Lynch, the offensive adjustment has started to finally pay off.
“Not anymore,” Lynch said when asked if the Nighthawks are still getting used to the wooden bats. “Not after what they’ve shown. They’re adjusted.”
Cordes Baker, from University of South Carolina Lancaster, earned his second win of the season with one earned run, five hits allowed, two walks and three recorded strikeouts. Mike Coss, from Marist, threw three innings and recorded four strikeouts, one earned run and two hits.
Alex Hanson, moved to the No. 2 spot in the Nighthawks lineup, was 2-for-4 with three runs, two hits, two RBIs and two walks. A speedy center fielder, Hanson has appeared in every game for Upper Valley this season, and is batting .333 with 10 runs and five doubles.
“I like anywhere I hit. I just like hitting in general,” Hanson said after the game. “Wherever I am, I’m just going to do my job. It doesn’t really matter where I hit, but it’s nice to be at the top of the lineup again.”
Saint Louis University catcher James Morisano had a breakout game against Newport, amassing three hits, including a double, three hits, two RBIs and a sacrifice fly.
Morisano hasn’t played since Sunday’s 2-0 loss to the Valley Blue Sox, when he was 0-for-4. But with the Nighthawks lineup starting to come alive, Morisano, who has switched off between designated hitter and catcher this season, seems to be heating up.
Joey Denison (Troy) and Grayson Padgett (Houston) stayed hot, combining for three hits and three runs on Wednesday. Upper Valley left seven on base.
Relief pitchers Joe Levasseur (St. Anselm) and Ryan Takacs (Manhattan) sealed the deal with an inning pitched each and a combined four strikeouts.
The Nighthawks have a rare mid-week day off today before traveling to Holyoke, Mass., on Friday for a rematch with the Valley Blue Sox. Upper Valley returns home Saturday to take on Keene and Sunday for a doubleheader against the Danbury Westerners.
Lebanon
Lebanon rebounded after losing to Keene, 4-2, in the first championship game of the double-elimination tournament on Monday at Logan Field.
On Tuesday, Keene took the lead on a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, but Lebanon scored three in both the third and fourth innings, and that was all it would need, as Dominic Petkus pitched a hitless final three innings, striking out five of the 10 batters he faced to seal the win.
Sam Bates (two runs), Cayden Van Dolah (two), Aiden Smith and Ben Achmoody scored for Lebanon, while Dawson Bates (two), Dom Petkus, and Zach Gaudet all had RBIs.
Prior to the championship games, Lebanon defeated Keene, Kearsarge Valley and Swanzey to reach the final through the winner’s bracket.
Lebanon will face District III champion Berlin-Gorham Currier Field in Exeter on July 2 in its first game of the state tournament.