Last year’s trips to the semifinals in both the South-West Conference and Class LL State tournaments are in the rearview mirror but Newtown High School Baseball Coach Ian Thoesen is hopeful that playoff familiarity paves the way for his returners to take things a step farther this go around.

“I think we gained some valuable experience making a run in the SWC and State tournaments last year,” Thoesen said. “Our goal every year is to win the SWC and make a good run in the State Tournament, and hopefully win that.”

Having prepared well together during the offseason the Nighthawks have not only developed their skills but have also added to their level of cohesiveness. “We’re a very close-knit group,” the coach added.

Between the lines, Nighthawks are a well-rounded squad with strength on the mound, in the batter’s box, on the bases, and in the field.

“We’ve got the pitching, we’ve got the hitting, and we’ve got the speed — a lot of athletes this year,” Thoesen said.

Captains are junior pitcher/first baseman Jamie Piccuillo (committed to Fairfield University), senior pitcher/shortstop Danny Leyva (Dean College), and junior pitcher/outfielder Kieran Garrity. Other key players include junior pitchers/first basemen Jack Carta and Lucian Place, senior infielder/pitcher/utility player Jonathan Moseman, sophomore utility player Ryan Schmidt, junior outfielder Travis Rekos, senior outfielder Ayden Paulos, senior pitcher/outfielder Wes Keayes (Southern Connecticut State University), senior catcher Colin Gevry (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts), and junior middle infielders J.T. Walsh and Chris Moseman.

Tough teams in the conference include two-time champs Joel Barlow of Redding and two-time runners-up Brookfield, as well as New Fairfield, and Bethel, but on any given day it comes down to pitching.

The regular season begins Saturday, April 5, when Berlin visits at 2:30 pm. In other nonconference games, the Nighthawks will face Fairfield Ludlowe, Norwalk, Shepaug Valley, Ridgefield, and Nonnewaug.

“I’m very excited,” Thoesen said about the season getting underway.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.