A Strong Start for New Forest Baseball in 2026
The 2026 season is now fully underway for New Forest Baseball, and the opening month has already delivered plenty of memorable moments across both the Thunder and Knights. From debut appearances and first wins to dramatic innings and strong team performances, the club has continued to grow both on and off the field, with new players stepping into games, contributing immediately, and embracing the spirit of baseball in the New Forest. Opening Day Delayed by Weather The Thunder were due to begin their season on 12 April away at Yeovil Whirlwinds, but heavy rain forced the postponement of the fixture. While disappointing for players eager to get started, it only added to the anticipation ahead of the following weekend’s opening games. First Ever ThunderKnight Classic Baseball finally arrived on 19 April with the first ever ThunderKnight Classic, as the Thunder and Knights faced each other for the first time in league competition. While the Thunder came away with victories in both games, the day was a huge milestone for the club as a whole, with a large number of players making their debuts and taking their first steps into competitive baseball. In Game One, father and son Chad and Nath Tew both made their debuts for the Thunder and both recorded hits in a memorable family moment. Chad also impressed on the mound, pitching 2.2 innings with five strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Kieran Jewell delivered a strong offensive performance with five RBIs, while Shaun Barrett’s aggressive baserunning helped set the tone for the Thunder throughout the game. For the Knights, Darryn Stares, Leon Negus-Roman, Kevin Lau, Seb Chambers and Joe Wood all made their debuts, with Darryn and Leon both recording hits. Darryn also made his pitching debut and struck out three batters. Game Two brought even more debut appearances across the club. Chad Tew continued his excellent start to the season by going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, while Ben Martin made his pitching debut for the Thunder. Shaun Barrett continued to create opportunities at the top of the lineup with four walks and several stolen bases. The Knights welcomed another group of debut players, including Ben Weeks, Owen Hatch, Cameron Houghton, Peter McKnight, Taylor Symonds-Price and Jake Turner. Owen Hatch impressed with two hits and three runs scored, while Peter McKnight and Taylor Symonds-Price also collected hits in their first appearances for the club. Luke Callum also made his pitching debut for the Knights. Beyond the results, the day highlighted the continued growth of New Forest Baseball, with experienced players and newcomers sharing the field together in a positive and competitive atmosphere. Knights Record Their First Wins The Knights were due to return to action on 26 April against the Taunton Pistols. Unfortunately the game was cancelled, however the Knights pick up two wins by forfeit. Thunder Continue Strong Start in Taunton The Thunder travelled to Taunton on 10 May and produced another pair of strong offensive performances to secure a double-header sweep. In Game One, Thunder pulled away late with seven runs in the final inning to secure a 22-9 victory. Sam Williams collected four hits and scored four runs, while Kieran Jewell drove in six runs during another productive performance at the plate. Mitch Sullivan also contributed heavily, finishing with four RBIs and four runs scored. Game Two proved much closer, with the teams level at 12-12 after three innings. Thunder again finished strongly, scoring six runs in the final inning before holding Taunton’s response to secure an 18-15 win. Leigh Froud led the way offensively with three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored, while doubles from Shaun Barrett, Sam Williams and Mitch Sullivan helped keep the pressure on throughout the game. Froud also started on the mound, with Mitch Sullivan delivering an important relief outing to help close out the victory. Knights Earn Split Against Bristol The Knights travelled to Bristol Brunels on the same weekend and earned a well-deserved split across two competitive games. Game One featured another debut, with Kyle Flaherty recording his first RBI for the club alongside two walks. Ben Coxhill claimed his first pitching win, striking out three batters during a composed performance. One of the standout moments of the day came on a well-executed double play, as Joe Wood made a catch in centre field before combining with James Knight at first base to complete the play. Darryn Stares continued his impressive start to the season, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs as the Knights secured an 11-9 victory. Although the second game ended in a narrow defeat, there were still several positives for the Knights to take away. Darryn again contributed strongly offensively, while Leon Negus-Roman stepped up to make his pitching debut as starter before Darryn moved to the mound in relief and struck out three batters. The continued willingness of new players to take on different roles has been an important part of the Knights’ early-season development. Thunder Split with Bristol Brunels On 17 May, the Thunder hosted Bristol Brunels in another entertaining double-header. Game One saw Thunder secure a 10-5 win behind a complete game performance from Chad Tew, who struck out six batters across five innings. Simon Schwarz created constant pressure on the bases with six stolen bases, while Mitch Sullivan and Kieran Jewell both recorded two hits, including doubles. The second game remained closely contested through three innings before Bristol produced a big fourth inning to take control. Thunder continued battling throughout and added four late runs, but ultimately fell short in a 17-10 defeat as rain began to approach the field. Sam Williams and Doug Sutherland both drove in three runs during the game, while Ben Martin struck out four batters in his pitching start before several players combined in relief. Building Something Special One month into the season, there is already a strong sense of momentum around New Forest Baseball. Across both teams, experienced players and newcomers alike have contributed in important moments, while the club