Pittsfield's Jackson Appel reaches for a high throw as Nashua's Liam Little is about to crosse the plate during Sunday's FCBL doubleheader at Holman Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The way things have been going this season, a doubleheader split is almost a victory for the Nashua Silver Knights.

“It would’ve been nice to get a sweep, but I’ll take the split,” Nashua manager Kyle Jackson said after his team won Game 1 against Pittsfield, 6-4, but then saw a last inning rally fall short in a 7-5 loss in the nightcap. “It’s better than losing two.”

One theme was common throughout the twinbill in front of 781 Holman Stadium fans, many of whom left once the steady light rain arrived midway through the second game: the Silver Knights showed some fight.

“They battled,” Jackson said. “They’ve always battled at the end.”

In the opener, not only did the Knights (13-28) battle, they attacked with 11 hits, led by Kevin Skagerlind’s 3 for 4, two run game from the leadoff spot. Jackson mixed his lineup with some mainstays and reserves, playing newcomer Brady Desjardins (2 for 3, a run, two RBIs) at short and Liam Little (1 for 2, a run) and have ing third baseman Connor Hujsak (2 for 4, two RBIs) DH.

Leading 1-0, Nashua used a four-run second inning to help secure the win, the big blow being a two-run ground rule double by Hujsak.

“It was nice to see the guys who don’t play every day come out and put up what, nine,10, 11 hits,” Jackson said. “It just shows that they’re still wanting to play and still be here.”

Leading 6-0 after four, the Knights still had to hold on. Starter Nick Guarino, in getting his second win, had allowed just two infield hits until a three-run Suns fifth, courtesy of a three-run homer by Javier Rosales.

The Suns’ Nate Cormier doubled in a run off Nashua reliever Jake Thibault in the sixth, but Ryan Hohmann picked up the save with a scoreless (one hit) seventh.

The nightcap was just as entertaining, although it didn’t end as well. Hujsak’s third homer in the last two days gave Nashua a 1-0 lead in the second, but the Suns plated four in the third off Knights starter Aidan Crowley. The lowlights were a bases loaded walk for the go-ahead run issued to Jack Cooney after Crowley was ahead 1-2, and a two-run single to follow by Caleb Shpur.

However, the Knights got even with a big three-run rally in the sixth off Suns reliever Kyle Roche, a bases loaded walk to Nick Perkins and Skagerlind grounder bouncing off Suns second baseman Shpur for two more.

However, Pittsfield got those three back in the seventh off Knights reliever Timmy Kalantzakos, in his third inning of work. It started with a bad hop single past Hujsak at third, and error by shortstop Sam McNulty on a potential double play ball, followed by a killer double off the bat of Cole Wojtowski.

Nashua had chances for more runs, loading the bases with none out vs. Suns reliever Stephen Quigley. Greg Bozzo got a run in with a sac fly, but Quigley tossed a tough 3-2 curve to Desjardins for a called third strike, and Skagerlind hit into a force out to end it.

In all, Nashua left 10 men on.

“That’s been the story of the year,” Jackson said.

But Jackson saw progress. He saw Desjardins lay down a bunt in Game 1, and the fact that they had 10 singles in those 11 hits meant “They’re not swinging for the fences.”

And he saw his hitters go the other way, especially in the second game.

“I think they got a lot better today,” Jackson said. “I think it’s a big step in the right direction, so I’m kind of happy.”

That’s how a split always leaves you feeling.