The Nashua Silver Knights and walk-off hero Shane McNamara (center) of Londonderry celebrate their come-from-behind win over Pittsfield back on July 2 at Holman Stadium. (Telegraph file photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – A roller coaster at Canobie Lake.

That’s how Nashua Silver Knights manager Kyle Jackson described this topsy-turvy 2022 season for his ballclub, which started the season out 4-13 and 10-17 before turning things around in July to finish above .500 and qualify for the four-team FCBL playoffs that begin on Monday.

There have been monumental highs – how about that walk-off win televised live on NESN back on July 2? And tough lows, like a blown ninth innng lead vs. Vermont a week earlier.

“Every game they’ve been in it,” said Jackson, whose team bashed Pittsfield on Saturday night to stand at 33-29 and will close out the regular season today at 3 p.m. at Holman Stadium vs. Worcester. “Maybe there have been a couple that have gotten away, we had a tough road stretch after the All-Star break. But they come out and compete very day and that’s all I can ask of them.”

Jackson said in his third season at the helm he was true to himself. His goal was to win, but also to make sure each player had a role, if at all possible.

“I stuck to my guns and been true to making sure everybody got their at-bats,” he said, “to see where they can play. I’ll continue to do that as long as I’m here.

“So whoever shows up next year will know they’ll get their 70-80 at-bats, get an opportunity, and it becomes a team.”

Jackson said it was very satisfying to grab a playoff spot after last year’s tough season in which the Knights missed the postseason for the first time in their history.

“It was tough to not make the playoffs last year,” he said. “The way these kids have battled back to get that spot (with their 6-5 win at Holman Wednesday night over Westfield) and to do it at home which is nice, too.

“It’s nice. You get another week. A few more games and you gave yourself an opportunity to play for a ring.”

NASHUA 13,PITTSFIELD 2

An example of that roller coaster was Saturday night, when, after a stretch of losses vs. the Suns, Nashua bashed out 18 hits – half of them doubles – and mercy ruled Pittsfield at Wahconah Park after the Suns did the same to them the other night at Holman.

An offense that went missing in action in the last couple games returned to duty, with UMass’ Will MacLean taking center stage as his two homer, five RBI night accelerated the Knights to the finish line.

Shane McNamara also had a great night, going 4 for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Nashua pummeled Pittsfield starter Aric Berg (Fordham), who lasted just 2.1 innings.

A four-run fourth pushed Pittsfield into mercy rule territory, with Nashua’s hottest bats in McNamara and MacLean once again contributing. McNamara would post another RBI base knock, giving him three RBIs on a four-hit night. McNamara, now sitting at second on the team in RBIs with 25, would have taken player of the game honors but MacLean had other ideas. After McNamara’s single, MacLean deposited his second homer of the night over the Wahconah Park wall, making it 12-1.

Ray Velazquez went 3 for 4 with two RBIs while Pat McConnell went 2 for 3 and Brady O’Brien 2 for 4 with three runs scored.

The doubles: One by O’Brien, and then two each by McConnell, Velazquez, McNamara and Nico Galeazzi (3 for 4, two RBIs.).

As for pitching, it was a bullpen game for the Knights, as L.T. Pare tossed four innings of two-hit, one-run ball. He was followed by Jarret Morrill for two (one earned run, three strikeouts) and a one-two-three seventh to end it for North alum Alex Meesig.

Although they go to different colleges, Nashua North alums Alex Meesig, left, and Corey O’Day were reunited this summer, first on the Cortland (N.Y.) Crush and now the Nashua Silver Knights. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA NORTH TANDEM

Alex Meesig and Corey O’Day, two keys from the 2021 Nashua High School North team, have spent the summer reunited as teammates. Meesig was a freshman at Assumption while O’Day was a freshman at New England College.

They reunited on the Cortland Crush of the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL) earlier this summer before ending up as one of the late season mound reinforcements for the Knights.

“It’s great,” O’Day, who is in the books as the winning pitcher in the Knights playoff clincher the other night. “I love playing with (Meesig), I’ve played with him my whole life. It’s a fun time.”

“It’s a good opportunity to play with Corey again, it’s fun,” Meesig said. “Living in upstate New York was cool, the team played really well. It was fun.”

Besides last night, Meesig had two strikeouts in an inning and a third in the doubleheader loss to Pittsfield on Tuesday, while O’Day only faced two batters on Wednesday but got the win.

“Hey, a win’s a win, it was great to be out there,” O’Day said.

He got even more mound time on Friday, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and a walk while striking out three. One or both could be key components of the Knights’ playoff bullpen.

OTHER POTENTIAL PLAYOFF MOUND STARTERS

Who would go after Aiven Cabral takes the mound in Game 1 of the FCBL semis for Nashua?

According to Jackson, it’s likely Nolan Lincoln for Game 2 and perhaps Brock Pare for Game 3. The thing with Lincoln is he’s had a bicep issue. Jackson said if Lincoln is good to go he’d prob get a Game 2 start – likely at Holman – on Tuesday. But don’t rule out Liam Doyle getting a start if he returns this weekend, as was anticipated, and depending on whether he’s thrown much at all.

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE

The Silver Knights announced on Saturday they have put playoff tickets for Game 2 of the FCBL semis vs. New Britain on sale Tuesday at 6 p.m. Suite rentals are also available.

For tickets in the Holman bowl, go to https://gr1.glitnirticketing.com/grticket/mobile/stadiumgms.php?event_id=160&status_id=2&refresh=1659831088 .

For suite rentals, contact the Silver Knights at 603-718-8883

BEE STINGS

The Silver Knights are 2-5 against their semifinal opponents, and went 0-3 at Holman vs. the Bees. Games for New Britain were 5-0, 12-4, 7-6, 8-7 and 9-4; Nashua won in an HR Derby (2-1) and 5-4, both at New Britain Stadium.

The 9-4 Bees win was the last time the two teams played, July 15 at Holman.

NORWICH, WESTFIELD TIED

In case you’re wondering who gets to go to Vermont Monday as the No. 4 seed, Westfield lost again last night, 10-7 to New Britain, and Norwich beat Worcester 15-2. Both are 29-33; Norwich is at Pittsfield today while Westfield hosts New Britain.

(Silver Knights media relations staffer Dan Allison contributed to this report.)