Alves and Emerson no-hit Witches behind explosive Fishermen offense

If there were any questions about how Gloucester would follow up last year’s undefeated conference run, Nico Alves and Pip Emerson answered them in a hurry, spinning a combined no-hitter in the Fishermen’s 11-0, five-inning dismantling of Salem to open their season.

Alves, a 2-time NEC All-Conference selection in his first two seasons of play, struck out seven and allowed zero baserunners in his three-inning stint. Emerson followed with a strong performance of his own, striking out five and allowing just one walk.

Their offense answered the call, earning seven runs in the first inning to put the game away early.

Luke Salah led the offense, going 2 for 3 with two RBI and one run scored. Captain Lukas Albano went 1 for 2 with a run, with teammates Alves, Emerson, Captain Trey Marrone, Nash Marshall, and Mike Marino all having one hit. Austin Bouchie and Nolan Aiello both scored.

While the Fishermen did have some help from Salem’s three errors, a balk, and a lack of defensive prowess on the mound, the Fishermen definitely had a strong showing overall. It’s their pitching performance that really shone through, which was partially a surprise after Gloucester graduated aces Giacomo Martell and Brayden Francis last season.

The Fishermen now look towards their next pair of conference tests this week against the Falcons and Sachems at home.