Tom King

May Day(s)! And nights.

Yes, the month of May has arrived, and that is going to step up the local and regional sports calendar.

We are getting closer and closer to summer, but May will be a busy month that will take us right into a just as busy June:

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MONDAY MAY 3,

FRIDAY MAY 7

It’s the home-and-home Division I boys lacrosse match-up between Exeter and Bishop Guertin, looking like the two lacrosse powers with the rest not quite there yet. Monday is at Exeter at 4 p.m. and Friday’s game is at Stellos Stadium at 3 p.m. Can’t miss.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

If you missed this weekend’s home opener for the Nashua Eagles semi pro soccer team, go to Merrill Field at Rivier University for the Eagles vs. Mass. United at 7 p.m. The soccer won’t disappoint, we can guarantee you.

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TUESDAY-THURSDAY MAY 11-13

The Oakland Athletics come to Fenway Park to take on your Boston Red Sox. We mention this only because the A’s just won 13 in a row, and they’re likely the best team coming to town this month. In case you’re wondering, the Yankees and Red Sox don’t tangle until June 4 in New York.

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SATURDAY, MAY 15

Yes, the Preakness is back as scheduled. The Kentucky Derby is going on in its usual date, likely as you’re reading this. And in two weeks from this weekend, yes, the Preakness returns. A sense of normalcy, right?

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SUNDAY, MAY 16

This is the last day of the National Hockey League regular season, and you’d have to think that the Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin by mid-week. And yes, the Stanley Cup Finals won’t take place until sometime in July. It will be just like a year ago, with all four major sports in action as the NFL will likely start training camps sometime that month. Yikes. Did you get used to hockey in the summer last year? Well, then you’ll be fine. A summer cooler.

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MONDAY, MAY 18

Believe it or not, this will be the first day of the NBA’s brand-new play-in tournament, with the playoffs set to begin on May 22. Will the Celtics be part of it, and how far can they go in the Eastern Conference? Probably not too far, given the strength of Philadelphia and Milwaukee. Too bad, because they’re flawed teams. Oh, when is the last possible game of the finals? Thursday, July 22. Thanks, pandemic.

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THURSDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 20-23

The PGA Championship, golf’s second major, will be at Kiawah Island, S.C. Remember, it was moved a couple years ago from its August dates to avoid conflicts with other sports. Oh, well.

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SATURDAY, MAY 22

This will be a special treat at 11 a.m., the long-awaited renewal of the Nashua Hall of Fame Inductions. The ceremony will be virtual, and the interviews conducted with all the inductees that have been pre-recorded done by Hall of Fame committee member Jason Robie and Nate Mazerolle are incredible. They’ll be online and available, and so much credit goes to Nashua Athletic Director Lisa Gingras for reviving this, putting a committee together (of which yours truly is a member), and navigating the rough pandemic waters after two postponements to get this done.

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MONDAY, MAY 24

TO FRIDAY, MAY 28

Welcome to Nashua High School North-South week – two meetings each for boys and girls lacrosse, baseball and softball, and they all seem evenly matched as we have wrapped up April. This also is the week the NHIAA boys and girls tennis team tournament begin.

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THURSDAY, MAY 27

Word is this is when the Nashua Silver Knights will have their home opener, complete with championship ring ceremony. Yeah, it would be nicer if it were on a Friday, but that’s how it goes.

As for all the protocols, etc., we don’t know everything for sure yet. But the FCBL’s 11th season, which begins the night before, will be underway. That’s a good thing.

It’s also the date of the Divison I NHIAA Girls Track and Field Championship Meet at Winnacunnet of Hampton.

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MONDAY, MAY 31

Yes, it’s Memorial Day. But it’s also the beginning of numerous NHIAA playoffs, mainly the baseball and softball play-in games for some divisions. Then things really get busy.

Whew, what a month.

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com, or on twitter at @Telegraph _TomK.

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