Another game. More last-inning dramatics.

Newtown High School’s softball team, early this campaign, has made sure to keep fans on the edges of their seats.

The Nighthawks followed up a 1-0 loss to Trumbull with a 7-6 walk-off win over St Joseph of Trumbull, then went on the road and edged Fairfield Warde 5-3 in yet another clash with an FCIAC team, on April 9. This game was even 3-3 in the seventh inning before the Nighthawks scored twice and held on.

Maddie Thoesen worked a walk and eventually scored the go-ahead run on a Warde miscue. Bri Pellicone had a key double, stolen base, and scored an insurance run on a wild pitch.

It was another lengthy contest. Much like the St Joes matchup that lasted about two hours and 20 minutes, this one took a while.

“It was another tough one. The girls continue to grind and I think they have proven again their determination to win,” Coach Megan Goyda said. “Our defense is really what won the game for us. Maddie on the mound really held us together and Julia Berry made some phenomenal plays in right field — but overall it was a solid defensive game. This game lasted two-and-a-half hours. To stay locked in for that long and earn a win is very tough but they did it.”

Warde struck first with a run in the second inning of this see-saw game. After Newtown tied things in the third the host Mustangs went ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth only to see the Hawks reclaim the lead, 3-2, with a pair in the top half of the next frame. Warde evened the score in the sixth setting the stage for the final-inning heroics.

Addy Cordova had two doubles as part of her three-hit performance, Pellicone and Sophia Caruso also had doubles. Berry, Thoesen, and Lila Accousti also had hits. Cordova and Thoesen each drove in runs and three of the Hawk runs were unearned thanks to a pair of Warde errors. Berry, Pellicone, and Thoesen all had stolen bases.

From the pitcher’s circle, Thoesen allowed seven hits, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out seven.

Newtown, following games against Shepaug Valley and Joel Barlow of Redding Wednesday and Thursday will host Waterford Saturday, April 13 at noon.

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