The 9U Hawks battled hard during the New England Regional Tournament, held in New Canaan in mid July — hitting in big runs, coming back after being down multiple runs, waiting out rain and thunder delays, and playing six days straight. The Hawks went all the way to the championship game and earned a runner-up finish in their age group.

Coach Mark Skura’s motto “win the inning” was a common theme and as things unfolded it was proven multiple times that the game can be flipped in a single inning. Support from the town, parents, and players helped contribute to the success of the team. Members of the Hawks are Austin Rekos, Brayden Andrews, Chase Pacuk, Jack Briante, Jack Fregoe, Jacob Steeves, James Otis, Joseph Dogali, Joseph Skura, Luke Dobson, Maverick Levy, and Parker Esposito.

Game results are as follows:

Newtown 8, Rhode Island 3: In the first game of pool play, Newtown defeated the Rhode Island State Champion, Washington Park. The Hawks made the score 3-1 in the bottom of the first after Jacob Steeves lined out, scoring one run, and Jack Fregoe singled, scoring two runs. Brayden Andrews led the offense with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-4 on the day. Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Jacob Steeves each collected two hits and Joseph Dogali had one hit. Joseph Skura had three of his team’s six walks. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, Austin Rekos and Joseph Dogali each stole multiple bases as the Hawks piled up 13 steals. Jacob earned the win; the starting pitcher surrendered five hits and one run over five innings, striking out four, and walking one. Chase Pacuk appeared in relief.

Eastern Mass Champ Free-Lake MA 11, Newtown 6: Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, and Jacob Steeves each collected two hits. In the third inning, Newtown scored five runs on five hits to take a 5-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Austin Rekos that drove in two. Free-Lake tied the game at five in the top of the fourth and scored six runs on five hits to take a 11-5 lead in the sixth. Newtown accumulated ten hits in the game. Austin Rekos drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Hawks with a pair of runs batted in. Maverick Levy pitched four innings in relief. The righty surrendered one hit and one run while, striking out two, and walking six.

Newtown 9, New Hampshire Champ Quintown 6: Jacob Steeves drove in four runs on four hits. Jacob doubled in the fourth scoring two, singled in the first scoring one, and singled in the third scoring one. The Hawks jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after Austin Rekos doubled, scoring two runs, and Jacob Steeves drove in a run on a single. A single by Steeves extended the Newtown lead to 4-1 in the top of the third inning. Newtown scored five runs on five hits in the top of the fourth to take a 9-4 lead. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Steeves that drove in two. Newtown racked up 13 hits in the game. Jack Fregoe, Maverick Levy, and Austin Rekos each collected multiple hits. Brayden led Newtown with three of the team’s six walks. Jacob started the game for Newtown. He surrendered eight hits and four runs over two and two-thirds innings, striking out none, and walking one. Brayden Andrews threw two and one-third innings of scoreless ball in relief. The righty gave up two hits, striking out four, and walking one.

Newtown 10, Western Mass Champ Marlboro 0: In the first single-elimination game, the Hawks came up big. Newtown opened the scoring in the first after Maverick Levy grounded out to drive in one run. The Hawks added two runs in the second. Luke Dobson walked, making the score 3-0. A double by Jack Fregoe extended the lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning. The Hawks scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk all had RBI singles, and Jacob Steeves drove in two on a single. Newtown amassed 11 hits. Jack Fregoe went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in. Maverick Levy collected two hits in three at bats. Austin Rekos stole three bases. Newtown turned one double play in the game. Maverick Levy began the game for Newtown. The righty allowed two hits in three scoreless innings, striking out two and walking two. Chase Pacuk pitched one inning of shutout ball in relief. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit.

Newtown 14, New Canaan 10: In the single-elimination semifinals there were runs aplenty. Newtown and New Canaan both collected 14 hits. The Hawks came back to win despite trailing 8-2 in the second. A wild pitch gave Newtown a 2-1 lead in the top of the second before New Canaan scored seven in the bottom half of the frame. Newtown scored six runs on seven hits in the top of the fourth inning. Jack Fregoe tripled, scoring two runs, Parker Esposito and Joseph Skura each had RBI singles, and Maverick Levy drove in two more runs on a single. The Hawks scored six runs on five hits to take a 14-8 lead in the sixth. The biggest blow in the inning was a two-run double by Parker Esposito on a 0-2 count. Parker and Jack batted back-to-back in the lineup, and each drove in three runs. Maverick Levy went 3-for-4 at the plate. Brayden Andrews, Austin Rekos, and Joseph Skura each collected multiple hits. Joseph Dogali provided pinch running for the team, stealing multiple bases and scoring a run. Brayden Andrews threw one inning of scoreless ball in relief.

Free-Lake 13, Newtown 12: In the regional championship, Free-Lake was down 12-11 in the bottom of the sixth inning when a double scored the tying and winning runs. Newtown had 15 hits in the game. Free-Lake jumped out to the lead with four runs in the bottom of the first. In the top of the fourth inning, Newtown took the lead after Chase Pacuk scored on a tag up, Brayden Andrews singled, Austin Rekos grounded out, and Jacob Steeves singled, each scoring one run. Free-Lake answered to tie the score. In the top of the fifth, the Hawks broke up the tie when Maverick Levy doubled, scoring two runs. A groundout by Austin Rekos extended the lead to 10-7. Newtown added to the lead but Free-Lake scored six runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. Chase Pacuk and Joseph Skura each collected three hits. Joseph Skura led Newtown with four runs batted in as he went 3-for-4. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, and Maverick Levy each collected multiple hits. Newtown turned a double play. Chase Pacuk pitched three and one-third innings in relief. The right-handed pitcher gave up seven hits and five runs (four earned) while, striking out three, and walking four. Maverick Levy opened the game for Newtown. The righty allowed one hit and six runs over two innings, striking out two, and walking six.