NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — It took nearly three weeks and plenty of heartbreak, but the North Adams SteepleCats finally had their breakthrough moment at Joe Wolfe Field.

 

Behind six strong innings from starter Niklas Pavia and a game-changing three-run third inning, the SteepleCats earned their first home victory of the 2026 season Sunday afternoon, defeating the Upper Valley Nighthawks 4-1.

 

The SteepleCats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Chris Diaz opened the bottom of the first with a double into the gap and immediately put pressure on the Nighthawks by stealing third base. One batter later, Bobby Stang hit a ground ball that allowed Diaz to race home and give North Adams an early 1-0 advantage.

 

That was all the support Pavia needed to settle into a groove.

 

The right-hander was electric from the start, striking out the side in the second inning and consistently attacking hitters with confidence. Pavia struck out seven batters over six innings of work, allowing just one run while repeatedly pitching out of trouble.

 

Upper Valley’s lone run came in the third inning when Frank Kelly launched a solo home run to left field, knotting the game at one apiece.

 

The tie lasted only minutes.

 

Diaz once again ignited the offense, reaching on an error before stealing second base for his second stolen bag of the afternoon. Hunter Ray followed with a walk, and Evan Meier was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sebastian Rhoades then stepped in and regained the lead for North Adams when he was hit by a pitch, forcing home Diaz.

 

With the bases still loaded, Jake Butler came to the plate and delivered the game’s biggest swing. After battling through a lengthy at-bat, Butler lined a single into the outfield, scoring two more runs and stretching the SteepleCats’ lead to 4-1.

 

North Adams had opportunities to add on throughout the afternoon. Tony Woodie singled in the sixth and advanced into scoring position before Alex Barrist chopped a single up the middle. Woodie attempted to score from second, but a perfect relay throw cut him down at the plate to end the inning.

 

The pitching staff ensured the missed opportunity would not come back to haunt the SteepleCats.

 

After Pavia’s strong six innings, Jakob Foster entered in the seventh and erased a one-out single with an inning-ending double play. Brady Burgess followed with a scoreless eighth inning, and Parker Guthrie took the ball in the ninth looking to finish off the club’s first home victory.

 

The Nighthawks made one final push when James Love doubled with one out, but Guthrie never blinked. The right-hander struck out the next two batters, and moments later the SteepleCats spilled out of the dugout to celebrate.

 

For a team that had spent the first weeks of the season searching for a breakthrough at home, Sunday’s win felt bigger than just another mark in the standings. The SteepleCats finally gave the Joe Wolfe Field faithful something they had been waiting for all summer: a victory.

 

North Adams (2-12) is on the road Monday to face Newport, R.I.