Silver Knights players and campers take a break during the first day of Silver Knights Camp at Holman Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Nashua Silver Knights)

NASHUA – The situation for the postseason in the Futures Collegiate League is becoming a little more clear with just six teams and a month to go.

Four teams make the playoffs, and there are three groups you can divide the teams in as the Silver Knights prepare for home games tonight through Thursday:

DEFINITES

It’s pretty much a given the league’s top two teams, Worcester and Vermont, are in. The Bravehearts, led by former Pinkerton Academy standout Jackson Marshall’s powerful bat, are 24-10 and in first place. Vermont, which Nashua beat in Burlington on Saturday night, is in second in 22-13. Count these two in. Vermont is at Holman on Thursday.

NINETY-NINE PERCENT OUT

That would be the Westfield Starfires, languishing in last place at 8-27 after making the FCBL Finals for the first time last year. Ouch. The Starfires are back again at Holman on Wednesday night. You never know, if they get red hot, but it’s certainly not looking good.

TWO OUT OF THREE

And here is where you’re Nashua Silver Knights come in. It’s Nashua, New Britain and Norwich fighting for the No. 3 and 4 seeds. Right now, the Silver Knights are in third at 18-17 and New Britain, whom they split with over the holiday weekend (win here Friday, lost thee Sunday) are fourth at 16-17. Nashua will be at New Britain on Friday night and the Beez will buzz into Nashua this Sunday afternoon. Two big games.

But right on both teams’ heels are the two-time defending champion Norwich Sea Unicorns, tonight’s Silver Knights opponent at Holman at 6:03. Norwich is 15-19, but Nashua gave them added life – sure, there’s a long way to go – by losing a home-and-home set last week. The Sea Unicorns also come back to Holman next Tuesday.

One of the three teams won’t make it, and all three need to avoid long losing streaks. But for now, the two teams that played in the 2024 Finals, Norwich and Westfield, are on the outside looking in.

STATS AND SUCH

There’s no known update yet on Knight injured (back) infielder Ernie Little, who is still atop the FCBL in hitting at .418. But likely there will be some news today. Meanwhile, Patrick Shrake, player who has filled in at second and at the top of the lineup – and will no doubt keep a spot in the infield if and when Little returns – is hitting .375…

Meanwhile, it would be tough to top the week of Nashua’s Jake Haarde, who hit .571 with three extra base hits and six RBIs, although Joey Current was close as he was 2 for 4 Sunday and on Saturday night at Vermont had three hits, including a homer and five RBIs…

As for pitching, Nashua’s Andrew Chenevert is 5-0, leading the league in wins. His 2.17 earned run average is third, behind Norwich’s Matt Wooton (1.80) and leader Vermont’s John Delgado (0.93)….

Delgado leads the FCBL in strikeouts too with 37, but right behind him are Nashua’s Matt Fitzgibbon (32) and Tommy Flaherty (29)…

Team-wise, Nashua is third in hitting at .254 and second in pitching with a team ERA o 3.86. Fielding? Well, the Knights are fourth at .947, and have committed the third most errors in the league at 65. Westfield has 66 and Norwich has made 71.

ATTENDANCE

Take a bow, Nashua fans. The Knights right now are third in the league, averaging 1,833 per game, just behind Worcester at 1,865. Vermont, per usual, has a solid lead at 2,473….

TV STUFF

Thursday’s Knights game will be on Nashua ETV, as will the Friday, July 18 game which features Monkey Boy’s second appearance. NESN will be in town on July 24 to televise the game vs. Vermont, that game’s time changed to 7 p.m. from the usual 6:03 start.