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Silver Knights Notes: Lately the pen is mightier than the bat

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Jul 6, 2022

Nashua Silver Knights reliever George Welch is leading a bullpen resurgence. (Photo courtesy of Nashua Silver Knights)

NASHUA – If you’re trying to determine a reason for the Nashua Silver Knights sudden success that has become a seven-game winning streak, look no further than down the right field line:

The bullpen.

Once a source of difficulty, it’s been a resounding strength in the last week. Nashua has had six relievers record a 0.00 earned run average in the last week, including Monday’s holiday win over Worcester.

Pitchers Avery Mosseau, Zach Gitschier, Noah Wachter, Cole Glassburn and George Welch has allowed 10 hits, walked just four, and struck out a combined 30 hitters in the last week.

That’s a far cry by what had been happening in the time between Nashua’s five game winning streak last month and the current seven-game ride. Statistically, it’s the difference, as the Knights despite their success are last in the FCBL in hitting as a team at .240, but have risen from sixth to third in team pitching with a collective ERA of 4.40.

What’s happened? Accoring to Welch, there was a team meeting in which all grievances were aired.

“We all met as a team, and talked about how we’ve got to get better with the bats and the bullpen,” said Welch, the lefty fireballer out of SNHU who is 1-1 with four saves and hasn’t allowed an earned run (two unearned) in 10 appearances. “We had games where we were lights out and games where we couldn’t throw strikes or get hits.

“We all just said the main thing is staying within us, not getting in our heads, and just walking in and saying you’re better than them. That’s what we’ve been going by the rest of the second half.”

And it is the second half, as the Nashua has played 34 of its 64 game season – and would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

Perhaps the biggest – and most important – turnaround has been from Wachter, older brother of starter Jonah, whose ERA was in the stratosphere after a near disastrous couple of weeks. But during this streak he’s been a different pitcher and is now 2-3, 4.62 with three saves, saying last week he was bound and determined to turn things around.

Now everything will be tested because Nashua’s next three games, starting tonight, will be against the top team in the league, the Vermont Lake Monsters, whom Nashua stunningly beat back-to-back in Vermont last week. Tonight’s game is again at Burlington’s Centennial Field, and then the Lake Monsters come to Nashua for games Thursday and Friday nights.

HOWLING ABOUT WOLFF

Why is Silver Knight Kyle Wolff not among the FCBL leaders in hitting? It can’t be plate appearances, as he has 78 at-bat in 23 games, giving him 3.3 per game, well above the stipulated 2.7 listed on the league site. Wolff is hitting .385 and has more plate appearances (78) than league leading hitter Teddy Schoenfeld (.392) and has played in two more games (23-21).

STILL RIVALS

There’s still a special feeling for some of the Silver Knights veterans in facing Worcester, which is also owned by Knights owner John Creedon, Jr. Welch made a couple of waving gestures over toward the Worcester dugout after Monday’s win.

“It’s just like that’s always been our rival since we’re both owned by the same owner,” Welch said with a grin. “But all love at the end of the day.”

PROBABLES

Starting for Nashua tonight should be their newest addition to the rotation, lefty Gabe Van Emon, who got a no-decision in 4.1 innings last Wednesday but didn’t allow a run, striking out six.

Thursday at Holman it will likely be Brock Pare (0-3, 5.21), and Friday here look for Jonah Wachter (1-0, 1.16). Wachter can start suing for non-support as he has had four no-decisions in five starts.

GREATER NASHUA NAACP NIGHT

A reminder that Friday night is Greater Nashua NAACP Night, as a way of recognizing the 75th anniversary of Nashua’s role in breaking the U.S. baseball color barrier with Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe playing for the Nashua Dodgers in 1947.

A portion of Knights ticket proceeds will go to the GN NAACP and the Lake Monsters, owned by former Nashua Prid e owner Chris English, will match that figure.

For more info on this and other team promotional events, contact the Silver Knights.

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