Knights

Silver Knights split doubleheader

Mark Colley

The Nashua Silver Knights split their seven-inning doubleheader against the Pittsfield Suns on Thursday, winning the first game 6-3 and losing the second game 4-0.

In game one, Nashua was led by Nick Guarino, who pitched six innings of two-run ball. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.

It was an improvement from Guarino’s first start against the Worcester Bravehearts in the season opener on May 27. In that outing, Guarino pitched 4.1 innings and earned the no decision while allowing two runs. He also struck out six but walked two.

After Nashua’s bullpen pitched 6.1 innings in Wednesday’s 8-4 loss to the Norwich Sea Unicorns, Guarino’s long start helped give the Silver Knights the rest they needed — especially as they enter a gruelling stretch of four games in two days.

Noah Wachter closed out the game out of the bullpen, allowing one unearned run.

Offensively, the Silver Knights struck early, scoring two in the first inning. The biggest blow came in the seventh, when Nashua put up a four-spot with a Patrick Casserly double and Lucas Carmichael single.

Noah Lucier, in the leadoff spot, had a single and two walks to lead the Nashua lineup. He came around to score twice.

The offense wasn’t clicking in game two, when the team was shutout and only managed one hit. Lucier collected a single in the third inning and stole second, but Nashua’s best scoring opportunity came in the second inning, when it had the bases loaded with two outs.

Nick Remy started the second game for the Silver Knights, going three innings and giving up two runs. He struggled with command, walking four and striking out five, but improved upon his previous outing, when he pitched only 1.1 innings.

Gabe Driscoll, appearing in relief in game two, continues to be a pivotal piece of Nashua’s bullpen. In four appearances and 5.2 innings pitched, Driscoll has allowed 10 baserunners but hasn’t given up a single run.

The Silver Knights will travel to Bullens Field in Westfield, MA to play the Starfires in another seven-inning doubleheader on Friday. They return home Saturday to play the Sea Unicorns with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm.