White River Junction
Crane’s foresight proved to be spot-on, as the Nighthawks played their most complete game of the season in a 10-3 victory over their Northern Division foe, snapping a six-game losing streak.
Upper Valley amassed 12 hits, five doubles, loaded the bases three times and hit two sacrifice flies into the outfield to score Nighthawk runners, showing a knack for situational hitting that has hurt the team during the skid. The Nighthawks also committed only one error defensively behind an eight-inning effort from Iona pitcher Bill Maier.
“We played a lot cleaner tonight,” Nighthawks manager Nick Cenatiempo said. “I thought the off-day (Thursday’s scheduled game was rained out) was good, it gave us some rest. It gave guys a chance to get somewhat healthier. We did a nice job. We played really well tonight.”
The Nighthawks were aided by their newly acquired talent, namely second baseman Austin Embler (UNC Greensboro) who was inserted into Upper Valley’s infield two days after arriving in the region. Newcomers Lukas Ray, a catcher from South Carolina-Upstate, and right-handed sidearmer Avery Fliger, from Kansas City Community College, also made it on the field late in Friday’s game.
“At first, coming in I just got comfortable with the teammates,” Embler said. “Once I got along with all of them, I got my first at-bat, got back onto the field, it all came back naturally. I haven’t seen a live at-bat in a couple of months.
“It’s a lot different. I come from down south, from the city. This is very country. But this is fun. My host family is great.”
Upper Valley’s offense jumped on North Adams early and often, chasing five different SteepleCat pitchers from the mound. Trent Leimkuehler (Saint Louis) hit a sacrifice fly to center field with one out in the bottom of the first inning, allowing Walker Grisanti (Vanderbilt) to score from third with the bases loaded to give Upper Valley the early lead.
The Nighthawks added another in the third before breaking through in the fourth inning. SteepleCats pitcher Robby Buffis loaded the bases with one out before being pulled for Patrick Ryan. On Ryan’s fourth pitch, Nighthawks shortstop Matt Maul (Saint Joseph’s) popped a sacrifice to bring home college teammate Charlie Concannon from third. Joey Denison (Troy), the next batter, hit a two-run double to clear the bases. A single by Grayson Padgett (Houston) gave Upper Valley a 6-1 lead.
“We’ve been hitting the ball that well recently. Against Plymouth (a 9-8 loss on Wednesday), we hit the ball well,” Cenatiempo said. “We did really well with situational hitting. Trent (Leimkuehler) had two sac flies. Maul had a sac fly. … We are able to plate runners and keep the pressure on.”
Maier gave his team plenty of help on the mound, keeping Upper Valley’s bullpen fresh by going eight innings. He gave up five hits, three earned runs, two walks and recorded a strikeout in the victory. He retired the first six batters he faced, giving his defense plenty of easy ground balls and popups to keep North Adams’ offense at bay.
“It was definitely good,” Maier said. “The defense played great tonight.”
The Nighthawks added four insurance runs in the seventh inning off four hits and an error by the SteepleCats’ defense. Maul hit a bases-loaded, two-run double that brought home Embler and Concannon. James Morisano, taking Padgett’s cleanup spot in the lineup after Padgett was taken out, added with a two-run double that cleared the bases.
Fliger shut the door in the ninth inning, throwing two strikeouts in the final inning.
“I guess it’s a relief to get another win,” Cenatiempo said. “I’m happy for a guy like Bill Maier. I’m proud of how he bounced back after his last two starts and the way he competed.”
Denison led the way offensively again for Upper Valley with two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Concannon was 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. Embler, in his debut, was 2-for-3.
For Cenatiempo, the Nighthawks new additions give the team more depth. Zack Canada (UNCW) was given the night off after playing 15 straight games. With Embler shining in his first game, Cenatiempo now has some decisions to make when it comes to his infield.
“He’s got a little grit to him, he’s a grinder,” Cenatiempo said of his new second baseman. “I like the way he plays. He makes our infield a little bit more athletic. Not that Zack is not athletic. … Zack’s going to play a little bit more first now.”
The Nighthawks take on the Northern Division-leading Keene Swamp Bats on the road at 6:30 tonight. Upper Valley returns home Sunday to take on the Southern Division-leading Ocean State Waves. Game time for Sunday’s matchup is 5 p.m. at Maxfield Sports Complex.
Notes: Padgett finished the game 2-for-three with a walk and an RBI Friday night before being pulled in the bottom of the sixth inning. The University of Houston product hit a two-out double, but ran gingerly to second base. Padgett has been dealing with a lower back injury. … Alex Hanson missed Friday’s game after twisting his ankle Wednesday in a 9-8 loss to the Plymouth Pilgrims. He expects to return Sunday. … Maier, who started the summer with flowing black hair, was sporting a new, shorter haircut for Friday’s start.