South Kingstown, r.i. — The Upper Valley Nighthawks jumped to a quick two-run lead on Thursday night and rode the combined efforts of three pitchers for an important 3-2 win over the Ocean State Waves at Old Mountain Field to remain in the heat of the New England Collegiate Baseball League picture.

Upper Valley’s win, combined with Vermont’s 5-3 loss to Valley, leaves the Nighthawks a half-game behind the Mountaineers and Winnipesaukee Muskrats for the final Northern Division playoff spot. Add last-place Keene, and the Hawks (17-23) sit in the middle of a standings logjam of four teams within one game of each other.

Cordes Baker threw five innings of six-hit ball to get the win. Dakota Edwards slowed the Waves (19-21), holding the hosts to a run over three innings to keep Upper Valley in front. Brian Lau, the Hawks’ starting catcher, then came on and struck out the side in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Austin Embler singled and Al Molina reached on an error as the Hawks put their first two batters of the game on base. Trent Leimkuehler drove in Embler with a single, and Molina came home for a 2-0 lead on another Ocean State error. When the Waves scored in the third to halve its deficit, Upper Valley’s Charlie Concannon returned order with a solo homer in the fourth. Aside from scoring a run in the eighth, Ocean State didn’t get a runner past first base the rest of the night.

Avery Fliger is expected to get the start when the Hawks host Valley at the Maxfield Sports Complex tonight at 6:30 p.m., the first of four straight home games to close the regular season.

Legion Baseball Post 84 Places TwoOn All-Tourney Team

Castleton, Vt. — A pair of White River Junction Post 84 American Legion baseball players were named to the all-tournament team at the recent state championship at Castleton University.

Jordy Allard made the squad at shortstop, and Hunter Perkins earned a spot as a utility player. Post 84 was eliminated a step short of the title game, won by Brattleboro Post 5 over Rutland Post 31, 7-6 in 11 innings, on Wednesday. Those teams combined for all but three of the other 10 choices on the all-tournament team.

Golf Choukas ThroughAt N.H. Open

Campton, n.h. — Hanover High junior Phin Choukas shot a 3-over-par 75 to make the cut by one stroke at the New Hampshire Open golf championship at Owl’s Nest Resort and Golf Club on Thursday.

Choukas, an amateur, shot 74-75—149 for the tournament’s first two days to be the only Upper Valley competitor in the field of 40 survivors who will complete the tourney today. Choukas was one of 10 amateurs to advance.

Lebanon’s Pat Pelletier (74-83—157) missed the cut, while Nate Choukas, Phin’s older brother, withdrew after a first-round 74. Arizona’s Andrew Rauscher, New York’s Jeffrey Kellen and Massachusetts’ Kevin Fay share the lead at 6-under 138.