Softball Team Strong, Already Thinking About Masuk

By Andy Hutchison

The biggest game of the season, or so it would seem, also happens to be the last.

There’s no doubt that the girls on the Newtown High School softball team are already looking ahead to their May 15 clash with South-West Conference rival Masuk. Sure it’s 20 games and a month and a half away, but it’s that big of a game.

After all, it was the Masuk Panthers who knocked the Nighthawks out of both the SWC Tournament (semifinals) and state tourney (quarterfinals) a year ago. And all but two of the players from last year’s Hawks’ squad, which also fell to Masuk in the regular season, are back on the playing field craving the rematch and a chance to avenge those losses.

Masuk was one of few teams to find a way to beat Newtown a year ago.

The Nighthawks went 16-4 during the regular season (19-6 including postseason play) in 2007 and with so much experience back on the team, the prospects are good for another solid season, but head coach Bob Guererra is cautiously optimistic as the new season gets underway.

“The potential doesn’t ensure success,” Guererra points out.

“I’m a little nervous going in because of our potential,” he added. “I don’t want them to fail.”

So, to keep the team from getting blindsided by its own likelihood of winning its share of games and again being one of the best in the SWC, the coach is striving to not let his team just go through the motions.

 “I’ve got to keep pushing them to keep getting better and not become complacent,” Guererra said.

The Nighthawks graduated their center fielder and a pitcher, but junior pitcher Jenna LeGros, an All-SWC selection a year ago, is back as the team’s top pitcher. The entire infield is back in place with sophomore Kate Bowen (second base) and junior Nora Lynn Shimko (short stop) solidifying the middle of the diamond. At the corners, All-SWC Honorable Mention honoree Joanna Barry, a senior, is back at third base and senior captain Kelly Tenney retains her spot at first. The catcher is sophomore Ashley Kuligowski. Bowen and senior Stacey Broughton provide depth in the pitcher’s circle.

Designated hitter and junior Kaitlin Cosgrove returns. Sophomore Rachel Ruiz will play left field; senior Katie Schmidt shifts from left to center; and senior right fielder and captain Melissa Fracker return as a weapon to throw out base runners.

Offensively, there don’t appear to be any holes in the lineup. While the top-of-the-order and middle-place hitters are the Hawks’ strongest, the bottom hitters are not easy outs, Guererra said.

“I think, hittingwise, we’re strong all the way through nine,” he added. “Everybody’s got experience.”

Perhaps that experience will transform into a win over Masuk. All three losses last year were close ones, Guererra notes. Masuk pitcher Rachelle Fico, although nearly unhittable on most days, can be overcome if Newtown’s pitching and defense are strong and the hitters put the ball in play in timely situations.

“We just couldn’t get the timely ground out, fly ball, or base hit,” Guererra said of last year’s encounters with Fico. “She can be beat. She’s been beaten before — not many times, but we came close.”

In addition to Class LL state champion Masuk, other SWC rivals who are always tough are Lauralton Hall, Bunnell, New Milford, and Pomperaug.

The Hawks were scheduled to begin the season Wednesday against Lauralton Hall and are slated to play their first home game Friday against Weston.