Nighthawks Head to Massachusetts for Matchup Against SteepleCats

By Thaddeus Sawyer

When vacationers from around the country arrive in New England to go leaf peeping or enjoy ski season, their trip is hardly complete without a visit to Massachusetts. The quintessential New England state to some, Massachusetts is what many picture when talking about the region with its rich history, thick accents and clam chowder.

The Nighthawks (2-3-1) will spend the weekend in the Bay State, starting off with a road contest against the North Adams SteepleCats (0-4) on Friday for their first game in Massachusetts this summer.

The SteepleCats are off to an extremely slow start in 2026, evidenced by the zero at the front of their record.

SteepleCats batters have posted a collective .160/.276/.200 slash line through 145 plate appearances. They rank at the bottom of the league in each triple slash category and have yet to hit a home run this year.

On the mound, the results haven’t been much better. While they’re no longer last in ERA as they were earlier this week, their 7.94 ERA in 34 innings is the second worst mark in the league, only beating out the Ocean State Waves (1-5). The SteepleCats’ 2.15 WHIP is a league worst.

Looking to improve those rates on the mound for the SteepleCats will be Rhode Island College reliever Jake Foster. The right-hander will have to out-pitch his current career stats to make a dent in bringing those marks down, as Foster has posted an ERA over six in each of the last two seasons.

Opponents hit for a .313 batting average against the junior this past season.

Across from Foster on the scorecard will be Dartmouth College right-hander Trey Sejnoha. The junior was solid in his first start almost a week ago in Newport, going four innings and striking out six while limiting the Gulls to one run in a game the Nighthawks won 7-1.

“[I] just stick to the routine,” Sejnoha said. “
Stay dedicated to it and stay on the same process.”

North Adams’ saving grace offensively and the biggest threat to Sejnoha is Mount St. Mary’s University center fielder Evan Meier. The right-handed hitter leads the SteepleCats in each triple slash category, posting a .385/.529/.538 slash line over 13 at-bats.

No other SteepleCats hitter has posted an on-base percentage over .333, where Rhode Island College second baseman Parker Camelo currently sits. The SteepleCats have five players with at least ten at-bats hitting under the Mendoza Line.

For the Nighthawks, Cam Boardman and James Love have each reached base at least once in each of the Nighthawks’ first six games. Love is tied for the league lead in hits with 10, while Boardman has produced three multi-hit performances.

Virginia Tech utilityman William Hurt and Maryland first baseman Charley Magoulick have also added a jolt to the lineup since arriving this week. Hurt is reaching base at a .444 clip through his first 18 plate appearances. Magoulick is already tied for the team lead in doubles with three alongside St. Joseph’s shortstop Tim Dickinson.

Dickinson also holds the team lead in RBIs with five.

Catcher A.J. DeMastrie also had a pair of knocks last night, creating a depth of talent at catcher with Boardman and Nick Quagliato.

After a day off Thursday, Quagliato will likely be back in the lineup Friday night as the Nighthawks look to build on a 6-2 victory on Thursday over the Keene SwampBats (4-1-1) in another North Division matchup.

First pitch at Joe Wolfe Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Fans can stream the game live on NECBL+ through the HomeTeam Network.