SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Jordan DiValerio threw six shutout innings, delivering the strongest outing by an Upper Valley Nighthawks pitcher this season in a 9-5 win over the Ocean State Waves on Saturday at Old Mountain Field.
The win was the Nighthawks’ third straight, putting Upper Valley back at .500 after starting the season 1-4.
DiValerio (St. Joseph’s) allowed two hits and struck out five batters with no walks on 75 pitches.
Adam Smith (UNC-Wilmington) led the offense with three hits, two runs scored and an RBI. Cole Frederick (Jacksonville State) was 2-for-5 with three RBIs. Gehrig Anglin (Wright State) scored three runs and walked twice for the Nighthawks.
Upper Valley did its damage in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring three runs in each to build a 7-0 lead. The Nighthawks added insurance runs in the seventh and ninth.
Upper Valley relievers Jason Hudak (UNC-Wilmington) and Davis Mikell (Castleton) closed out the game; Mikell struggled in the ninth, giving up four runs on five hits but ultimately staved off the Waves’ comeback attempt.
The Nighthawks (4-4) host the Sanford Mainers on Sunday at the Maxfield Sports Complex. First pitch is at 5 p.m.