Zach Gitschier, now the manager of the Norwich Sea Unicorns, was an emotional reliever for the Nashua Silver Knights three year ago. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – Former popular Nashua Silver Knights don’t just disappear.

Some become opposing team managers.

That’s the case with a team Nashua sorely needs to beat, the three-time FCBL defending champion Norwich Sea Unicorns who come to town tonight, weather permitting, in a key FCBL game.

Zach Gitschier was one of the most popular Silver Knights relievers, his emotion on the mound making him a fan favorite until his career ended in 2023.

“I think that’s everyone’s goal when you come into coaching, you want to be a head coach someday,” Gitschier said recently. “I think that’s everyone’s goal.”

Gitschier played his college ball at Clark and Southern New Hampshire University, and spent some time coaching at Saint Anslem and also in the FCBL on Westfield’s staff. Last year he was the Sea Unicorns pitching coach and this past year was his first year as the pitching coach for UMass Lowell, in his hometown where his father Erik Gitschier is the city’s mayor.

The Sea Unicorns promoted him when last year’s manager Kyle Dembrowski left the region.

As a first-year manager, Gitschier has been able to put a stamp on the Sea Unicorns, who are fighting the Silver Knights for a playoff spot, while learning what it’s like to run his own team.

“It’s just a lot of managing the team more than anything else,” he said. “It’s less of like what happens on the field, making sure guys are healthy, happy, and they’re bought in to what you’re trying to do as a coach. For me it’s just building relationships with those guys.”

Gitschier has used what he’s learned from a lot of the coaches he’s worked under, and it’s been a few in a short time.

“Honestly, I’ve been under a lot of good coaches,” Gitschier said. “Obviously, you get your bumps and bruises, but I feel that I’ve had a lot of experiences with other guys that have done it for awhile that I feel comfortable for the most part.”

Gitschier is happy in Norwich, even though Lowell now has a team in the league.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of being there,” he said of his Sea Unicorn experience. “And sometimes it’s good to get out of my hometown.”

Gitschier still has a flair for emotion. Early this month, he got tossed for arguing balls and strikes and then took off his uniform shirt and used it to clean off home plate.

“I’ve said it about our guys, we’ve got a really good group of guys, I love showing up to the ballpark every day rooting for those guys. There’s a point in the game where we had some tough losses, kind of gotten beat up, and I just wanted to show the guys I’ll have their back no matter what.”

How does it feel to return to Holman Stadium, a place he was emotional when he left it for the last time as a player?

“It’s good,” he said. “Nashua’s got a tough fan base, obviously they’ve always supported me and been good to me, but it’s a little bit different coming back as the enemy, more or less.”

Gitschier has learned to, as he said, “live and learn” with moves during games. Meanwhile, in the off-season, he works with Norwich player personnel man Kevin Murphy in putting the Unicorns roster together, but in limited way.

“I try to help out and give as much input as I can, but for the most part I think Kev does a real great job,” he said. “But we work together, though.”

How did it feel to take over a team that has won three straight titles? Norwich wasn’t exactly a world beater last year, going 28-33 in getting the last playoff spot, and are 1.5 games ahead of Nashua in the race fore

“We were in the same spot last year,” Gitschier said. “And it happens. Teams go into tailspins and that’s what I think is the most important thing as a manager – keep the team together, keep the group together, keep them wanting to show up every day.

“Sometimes when you do the crazy antics, sometimes you’ve got to put on a show for the fans and everyone else.”

Former Silver Knights reliever Zach Gitschier is enjoying his coaching caraeer, which includes a stint this summer as the manager of the Norwich Sea Unicorns. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

WEATHER WIPES OUT SCHEDULE

No games were played in the FCBL last night thanks to Mother Nature, and the Silver Knights rained out game at Lowell will not be made up. The two teams have no common off-days and don’t face each other again this season, so no chance for a doubleheader.

Nashua (22-28) has two other games vs. Norwich (23-26) besides tonight, this Monday and the final home game next Friday. Aug. 7. If the Knights win all three, they’d win the season series and have the tiebreaker edge.