NASHUA, N.H. — For the second straight night, the North Shore Navigators were engaged in a back-and-forth battle that ended in a 5-4 loss to the Nashua Silver Knights at Holman Stadium, dropping their record to 0-2.
After a rocky start that saw starter Tommy Parsons only go a third of an inning, the Navigators pitchers settled down and give a solid performance, beginning when Nick Malatesta took the mound in the fourth inning. The rising senior from St. Joseph’s College of Maine threw five-plus innings of one-run baseball and struck out one batter.
Despite the solid pitching, the Navigators entered the ninth inning trailing 4-3. The Navs managed to come through in the clutch to score a game-tying run. After a leadoff hit by Beau Myers, Riley Herold hit a one-out single that advanced Myers to third. With two outs in the inning, Drew Delsignore singled in Myers to knot the game up at 4-4.
However, the Silver Knights rallied in the bottom of the ninth to get the run back and win the game. Luke Glancy hit a walk-off, bases loaded single to end the Navigators’ hopes. Malatesta took the loss, despite the running being unearned.
On offense, Navigators starting catcher Mike D’Acunti continued his red-hot start to the season. He went 1-for-3 and scored two runs over the course of the game. D’Acunti actually managed to reach base in all but one of his at bats, as he drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and reached on a fielder’s choice in addition to his hit. He is currently batting .500 through the first two games.
Lynn native Kyle Devin also managed to play well for the Navigators with two RBI to lead the team.
The Navigators open their home schedule tonight (6) against the Seacoast Mavericks. Gates at Fraser Field open at 5 p.m.
