Vermont Falls 13-6 in Offensive Battle to In-State Foe Upper Valley

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Despite a first-inning home run from Tyler Jones, the Upper Valley Nighthawks roared back with eleven straight runs to take Game 1 in the quest for the Governor's Cup.

Box Score

The Basics

Score: Upper Valley 13, Vermont 6

Records: Upper Valley 5-5-1, Vermont 5-7

Location: Montpelier Recreation Field

Rapid Recap

• Tyler Jones blasted a three-run homer into left-center field to put the Mountaineers up in the bottom of the 1st. Jones had not recorded a hit in 6 appearances. 

• Nick Quagliato hit a leadoff double in the top of the 2nd. Frank Kelly sent him and Alejandro Puig around on a single to cut the lead to one run.

• Upper Valley exploded on offense in the top of the 3rd with eight runs scoring on eight hits. Thirteen batters stepped up for the Nighthawks with Quagliato and Kelly sending runners home again. Alex Kelsey, Alejandro Puig and James Love also joined in on the scoring tear.

• Sam Franco recorded all three outs for the Mountaineers in the 3rd while allowing three of the runs in the frame.

• After letting two batters on in the top of 4th, Vermont reliever Brendon Miller was replaced by Luke Deschenes. One run scored off a wild pitch to inflate the lead to 11-3.

• The next run came in the bottom of the 6th off a throwing error from Upper Valley third baseman Jake Bell. Alex Benevento scored the run off Elliot Miles's swing. 

• Bryce Rudisill popped a sac fly to cut the lead to 11-5 after six innings.

• Nick Mullen scored in the 7th on a rundown of David Alvarez to tack on another run. 

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   Levi Jones reached home on a wild pitch to return the advantage to six runs.

•  The following inning saw Upper Valley add another tally with Jake Bell scoring from 3rd base on a throwdown to successfully pick off Cole Huett. 

  
  

  Vermont Game/Season Notes

  • WP: Anthony Bubba (1-0), LP: Nick Falla (1-1)

  • The Mountaineers tacked on three extra-base hits. Vermont leads the NECBL with 30 on the season. 

  • Alex Benevento scored two of the Mountaineers' six runs against the Nighthawks. The 2026 Ivy League 2nd-Teamer is tied for first in the league with 11 runs scored.

  • David Alvarez's 1-for-5 outing against Upper Valley makes him one of the seven in the league with 20+ at-bats and a .400 average or higher.

  • Kevin Hager is one of five NECBL batters with 13 or more hits. 

  • Nick Mullen hit a double in the 1st inning. He is now tied for the most in the league with five to his name.

  • Vermont stole one base against Upper Valley. They lead the league with 40 stolen bags to their credit.

  • Connor Jernigan finished the game for Vermont. His four strikeouts were the most by the William & Mary product in his three appearances.

  
  

  Next Up:

  Vermont is back in action on Friday, June 19 on the road in a divisional matchup against the Keene Swamp Field. ESPN+ will carry the contest at 6:30 p.m. from Alumni Field.

  For continuing coverage of the Vermont Mountaineers, bookmark thevermontmountaineers.com and follow the Mountaineers on X, Instagram, and Facebook