Vermont's Cooper Kelly gets into second ahead of the tag by Silver Knights infielder Ray Velazquez during Wednesday night's game at Holman Stadium. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – The Nashua Silver Knights pitching is coming around.

Now, if the bats would join in, manager Kyle Jackson & Co. would really have something.

Wednesday night, Nashua wasted a second solid start by Brayden Clark in losing to the Vermont Lake Monsters in front of a chilled Holman Stadium crowd of 360.

Still, the last two games the Knights (2-4) have allowed just five runs after being shellacked three games in a row.

“I had a meeting and told the pitchers that someone needs to step up,” Jackson said as the team began a four-game homestand. “Like, set the tone for us. Put a zero up. They’ve been doing that the last two games. I love these types of games.”

But he’d love to have a different result. Down 3-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Knights got a run across on Jack McDermott’s RBI single, and had two on with the winning run at the plate with two out in Andrew Jemison vs. Vermont reliever George Goldstein. Jemison put a ball down the right field line just foul by perhaps a foot that would have likely tied things up, then struck out to end the game.

“We just didn’t get the hits (only four),” Jackson said. “We made it interesting at the end and five inches down the line it might have been a tied ball game. We didn’t make enough adjustments at the plate vs. their starter (winner Sean Matson), but they didn’t against ours.”

Nashua starter Clark gave up just one earned run over 5.2 innings, beaten only by an RBI double in the sixth by Colby Brouillette that snapped a scoreless tie. He has a 1.69 earned run average but no wins in two starts, with a no-decision on Opening Night.

“Yeah, it’s tough luck,” Jackson said. “It kind of reminds me of (former Knight Pat) Harrington a couple of years ago when he just threw gems but couldn’t get a ‘W’. He’s excited to have the opportunity to pitch here. He’s a good catalyst for this team.”

The shame was Vermont picked up two insurance runs in the eighth on RBI hits by Jimmy Evans and Jackson Curtis off Nashua lefty reliever Jarrett Morrill, a temp signed out of the tryout camp who was given a full contract yesterday. Morrill settled down to pitch a scoreless ninth, but the damage was done with the Lake Monsters (4-3) in control 3-0.

“It just didn’t work out,” Jackson said. “Especially vs. this (Vermont) team. Can’t give them too many opportunities.”

NEW ARRIVALS

The Knights roster is evolving. Potential starting pitcher Jonah Wachter arrived, while shortstop Ray Velazquez and catcher Boston Forbes also came and were in last night’s lineup. Others due in are infielder Jake Cooper, outfielder Matt D’Amato, catcher Greg Bozzo. “They’re all starting to come in, so you’re pretty much starting over again with the team trying to figure out who they are,” Jackson said. “And for the team to jell.”

RESCHEDULED

The washed out game last Saturday vs. Worcester will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, June 28 with start times of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., each game seven innings.

UPCOMING

Tonight the Brockton Rox visit Holman while Friday it’s New Britain for the Knights’ big “603 Night” celebration. Those nasty 7-0 Westfield Starfires (71 runs in seven games) return to Holman on Saturday.