Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Valley Blue Sox

Valley Blue Sox lineups vs. Upper Valley Nighthawks (6/7/2026)

The Valley Blue Sox line up for the national anthem prior to a 6-5 win over the Ocean State Waves on June 6. Head coach John Raiola fields a similar lineup against the Upper Valley Nighthawks on June 7.
The Valley Blue Sox line up for the national anthem prior to a 6-5 win over the Ocean State Waves on June 6. Head coach John Raiola fields a similar lineup against the Upper Valley Nighthawks on June 7.
June 7, 2026

By Graham Goodman and Kate Endres

 

Following the Valley Blue Sox' walk-off win in game two of the 2026 season, head coach John Raiola has decided to go with a similar starting nine.

1. Anthony Tirado CF (UMass Amherst)

2. Anthony Grabau SS (Fordham)

3. Trevor Harmon 1B (San Francisco)

4. Chris Carson LF (Stony Brook)

5. Jack Myers 2B (Georgia Southern)

6. Eddison Esquivel RF (San Francisco)

7. Nick Tomasetto DH (Seton Hall)

8. Matt Wolfe 3B (Middle Tennessee)

9. Chris Cancel C (UConn)

Riley Williams SP (Mt. Saint Mary’s)

After a lefty-heavy lineup with six in last night’s win, Raiola pencils in only four left-handed bats, even with another right-handed starter getting the opposing nod. Nick Tomasetto and Jack Myers both return after sitting on Saturday. 

Tirado, the hero from the Blue Sox’ first win of 2026, starts for the third consecutive game, but is back in centerfield after a start at second base last night. Tirado has stayed in the leadoff spot since opening night and has the highest batting average on the Blue Sox (.375) among qualified hitters.

Riley Williams makes his first start for the Blue Sox after a spring season where he threw 21.0 innings and made four starts. His last appearance came on May 14 at Niagara University. Williams got the start but only lasted 3.1 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out two.

The top of the lineup has been generally consistent and remains untouched from the last game,  going into Sunday’s matchup in Vermont. Tirado has considerable experience in the leadoff spot, filling that role for UMass numerous times this Spring. Anthony Grabau currently sits as one of the most efficient hitters on Valley after two outings, logging two hits and an RBI with a .333 on base percentage. Trevor Harmon has racked up similar statistics with two hits and an RBI as well, sitting on a .250 average thus far. 

The Blue Sox came through late in Saturday’s win after struggling to get home RISP late on opening night. A shaky Ocean State bullpen gifted the Sox four free baserunners in the eighth inning, but solid situational hitting via two RBI groundouts and two RBI base hits strengthened the rally.

Where to watch:

ESPN+, 5:00 p.m.