Knights pick up first win in comeback against Yeovil

The Single-A Knights headed back to Yeovil for Game Week 2, technically a home game but being played at Bradford Abbas due to field availability. Mackenzie Wylde made his season debut on the mound, while there was also a competitive debut for Ian Tiffen.

Knights Battle Hard in Game Three but Fall Just Short Against Whirlwinds

The New Forest Knights put in a spirited performance against the Yeovil Whirlwinds but ultimately came up just shy in a 14–11 loss, despite a mid-game surge and standout efforts from several players.

The Knights got off to a strong defensive start with a quick first out, but a pair of fielding miscues and wild pitches allowed the Whirlwinds to settle in and push across the inning-ending fifth run with just two outs. In response, the Knights capitalized on walks and errors to load the bases, with Sam Williams delivering a sacrifice fly to bring home their first run of the day.

Pitcher Mack Wylde took command in the second, recording his first strikeout and combining with his defense for a scoreless frame. The Knights’ offense then roared to life with five hits in the bottom half—bookended by singles from Eddie Donald—as they batted around and posted a five-run inning to take a 6–5 lead.

Yeovil responded in the third, scoring four runs after going two down early. A string of walks and a key single from Jason Tew helped the visitors reclaim the lead. But the Knights showed resilience once more, drawing six walks, taking a hit-by-pitch, and adding a single from Wylde to plate another five runs and move ahead 11–9 heading into the final inning.

Mitch Sullivan moved from behind the plate to the mound to close out the game, and with the bases loaded and two outs, the pressure mounted. A costly error brought in two runs, and Tew continued his clutch day with a two-RBI single to push Yeovil ahead 14–11. Sullivan recovered to notch a strikeout and keep the deficit at three.

The Knights needed a late rally and nearly found one. After two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, Ian Tiffen reached base with a walk in his first-ever plate appearance. Wylde entered as a pinch runner and promptly stole second and third, but a soft contact grounder ended the game and sealed the Whirlwinds’ third win of the season.

Knights Walk It Off in Game Two Thriller for First Win of the Season

After coming up just short in Game One, the New Forest Knights responded in emphatic fashion in Game Two of their doubleheader against the Yeovil Whirlwinds, rallying from behind to seal a dramatic 15–14 walk-off win and notch their first victory of the season.

Things didn’t start smoothly for the Knights, who loaded the bases early with two hits and a walk, before a dropped fly ball looked set to extend the damage. But a slick double play from Ian Tiffen at second base helped limit the damage, and Eddie Donald capped the inning with his first strikeout, holding Yeovil to just one run.

Shaun Barrett led off for the Knights with a walk and a stolen base, but aggressive baserunning backfired when he was doubled off on a flyout. A quick strikeout ended the inning, keeping the score at 1–0.

The Whirlwinds opened up in the second, stringing together four hits and a couple of walks to post a five-run frame. The Knights hit back with singles from Lewis Kelly and Andy Bashforth, though Kelly was ruled out after being struck by a live ball. With two outs, Tiffen recorded his first career hit, and Mack Wylde followed with a 2-RBI single. Al Galpin then drove a sharp lineout that was well snagged to end the inning.

Yeovil tacked on a single run in the third thanks to 15-year-old catcher Barnabas Csicso, but the Knights responded with three of their own. Mitch Sullivan singled and Sam Williams reached on an error that brought in two runs before scoring on a sacrifice hit by Kelly, bringing the Knights within two.

A five-run fourth from the Whirlwinds looked like it might put the game out of reach, but the Knights refused to go quietly, responding with five of their own. Kelly, Barrett, and Tiffen all added hits as the hosts stayed within touching distance.

Yeovil edged further ahead in the fifth with two more runs, including another RBI for Jason Tew, who was eventually thrown out at the plate on a close play. The Knights were retired in order in their half of the inning, sending the game to an open sixth with a 14–10 deficit.

This time, the Knights’ defense came through, with two quick outs followed by Kelly notching his first career strikeout to hold Yeovil scoreless and set the stage for late-game heroics. That K was later deemed Play of the Day by manager Sam Williams.

Mitch Sullivan led off the bottom of the sixth by getting hit by a pitch, and Sam Williams followed with a single to bring him home. Kelly was also hit, and walks to Rozi Hathaway and Eddie Donald forced in a run. Wylde reached on an error to bring in another, before Galpin’s single tied the game. With the bases still loaded, Barrett showed patience at the plate and drew a walk-off walk to complete a thrilling comeback and hand the Knights a well-earned 15–14 win.

The team showed grit, resilience, and timely hitting throughout, with standout moments from Lewis Kelly, Ian Tiffen, and Player of the Day; Mitch Sullivan.

Manager Sam Williams said of Sullivan’s performance “After getting on base with a lead off hit by pitch in the bottom of the 6th, Mitch’s aggressive base running forced some mistakes from Yeovil to put him on 3rd, but more than that gave us a real shot at getting back in to the game. Our energy went up and that got us pumped up to win”.

The Knights will look to build on the momentum as their season continues with a trip to Weston Jets after the Easter break.