Beginning with the Saturday, April 5, season-opener when Fairfield Warde comes to town for a 3 pm first pitch, the Newtown High School softball team will have its hands full with strong competition throughout the campaign.

“We have a very tough schedule this year but our hope, as always, is to return to the (South-West Conference) Championship game and compete for a title. We would also like to return back to State quarterfinals and continue through the postseason tournament,” said Coach Megan Goyda, whose team has several challenging nonconference games on the schedule.

“As always, Masuk will be a great contest. We lost to them last year in the championship game so we definitely have a chip on our shoulder with them. Brookfield and New Milford will also be tough games for us in the SWC. Out of conference we face Cheshire, who beat us in the state quarterfinals. We also have Trumbull, St Joseph (of Trumbull), and Warde of the FCIAC. And additionally we will face a strong Waterford crew who have given us some trouble the past few years and we will play La Salle Academy of Rhode Island,” Goyda said.

Captains are pitcher/shortstop Maddie Thoesen and catcher/third baseman Sophia Caruso. Other key players back with experience are a wealth of juniors: pitcher/shortstop Addy Cordova, first baseman Gabby Ansman, second baseman/outfielder Lila Accousti, third baseman Gillian Boughan, outfielders Elena Burdo and Olivia Doersch, and pitcher Rheya Litke. Freshman outfielder/catcher Reagan Schenzer also joins the lineup.

“We have a lot of returners who are excited to lead our team,” said Goyda, adding that the Nighthawks also have a good amount of newcomers who stand to benefit the team greatly. “We have a very tough schedule this year but we have three solid pitchers who we will look to utilize as well as we hope to tap into our strong offensive abilities like we are always able to do. We are going to have a full new outfield but they are rising to the occasion and will do really well.”

There will be a bit of an adjustment period for some of the players but the team’s cohesiveness should be an asset.

“With a whole new outfield and some players playing new positions it will take a little bit to get acclimated but I have hope that it won’t take too long, especially with how well this team gels off the field, it will be sure to follow onto the field as well,” Goyda said.

“This team is so incredibly talented. I cannot wait to see what they accomplish. They feel they have some redemption games on the schedule and are working hard to be prepared for those strong opponents,” the coach added. “We also have a very talented freshman group. I’m excited to see how they combine with our returners and step into some big shoes, especially being so young. As a program, the girls get along so well and supportively push one another to get better. The expectations are high and they’re biting at the bit to get the season underway to show what they can do.”

After four consecutive nonconference games to open things up the Hawks get into SWC play Monday, April 21, when Pomperaug of Southbury visits at 4 pm. Among the games to circle on the schedule is the Thursday, May 8, visit to Masuk, also at 4:15.

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