Nighthawks’ Viera MVP at NECBL All-Star Game

NEWPORT, R.I. — Upper Valley Nighthawks second baseman Max Viera (Northeastern) earned most valuable player honors during Sunday’s NECBL All-Star Game at Cardines Field.

Viera went 3-for-3 in the game with three singles, two RBIs and three stolen bases. He batted second for the Northern Divison, which won the game, 6-2.

Nighthawks manager Justin Devoid enjoyed watching Viera play well on the bigger stage.

“It was awesome,” Devoid said. “And the nice part about it was I was actually in the stands for a majority of the game, sitting with his dad. It was awesome to have that experience.”

Viera was one of seven Nighthawks to play in the All-Star Game, and he was one of Upper Valley’s four starters.

Gehrig Anglin (Wright State) started at third base and hit in the cleanup spot, going 0-for-2 with a walk. Right fielder Alan Roden (Creighton) batted sixth and was 0-for-1 with a hit by pitch. Catcher Parker Haskin (Elon) hit eighth and went 0-for-1, though he reached base on an error and scored a run.

Andrew Walker (Xavier) entered as a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning and played left field, doubling and scoring a run in his two trips to the plate. Will Sullivan (Troy) subbed in at first base in the sixth inning and struck out in his only at-bat.

Nick Cantone (Marist) pitched the seventh inning for the North. He gave up one earned run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

“I thought everyone did wonderful,” Devoid said. “To have four starters was awesome, and then Nick came in from the bullpen and Sully came in and Andrew came in. Guys got hits, scored runs, Parker threw out a couple guys, we stole a couple bases. We represented very well, and I was really proud of them for what they did yesterday.”

The Nighthawks, who sat a half-game behind the Keene Swamp Bats for the Northern Division lead entering Monday’s trip to Vermont, visit the Sanford Mainers on Tuesday and host Vermont for a Maxfield Sports Complex doubleheader on Wednesday, starting at 4 p.m.