With South-West Conference play beginning this week, the first six games of the slate — including a pair against SWC rivals — only count in the state standings. Coach Joanna Closs views this the true start of the season.

The Nighthawks embarked on their conference schedule even at 3-3 but coming off a pair of losses to conference foes Joel Barlow of Redding and Masuk of Monore, whom the Hawks will see again.

In a 3-0 setback at Barlow on April 10, the Nighthawks managed only one hit — that off the bat of Jackie Moccio. Newtown, on April 16, fell 16-3 to Masuk in a game that ended in five innings because of the run rule. Newtown had been on the other side of the mercy rule effect in a 21-2 triumph over FCIAC team Darien in the opener.

“It’s a good test. It shows us where we really are because we’re playing the best. In order to improve, you’ve got to play the best,” Closs said after the loss to defending SWC and Class L state champion Masuk.

Newtown fell behind 5-0 but strung together three runs in the bottom of the third inning to get back into the game. Kim Buttery beat out an infield single to knock in the first run, after Sienna Cummings reached on a bunt single, stole second base, and tagged and went to third on a fly out. Kendra Saunders belted a two-run single to plate a pair.

“I was proud of the way my offense hung in there. We got three runs off the number one team in the state. We hit a lot of balls, hard which is what I’ve been emphasizing,” Closs said.

Masuk’s offense was too much, and a trio of Nighthawk pitchers and reinsertion of starter Shauna Tucker couldn’t do what only Barlow has accomplished against the Panthers this spring: Hold them to single digits. Masuk, on the way to a 6-0 start, outscored teams 70-7. Barlow defeated Masuk 3-1.

The Panthers bounced back from Newtown’s three-spot, as the Nighthawks matched the most runs the Panthers have surrendered in a game thus far, with a seven-run top of the fourth.

A defensive highlight for the Hawks was third baseman Angela Carriero snaring a hard liner to end the top of the fifth inning.

Moccio had two singles, Katie Goyda singled, Buttery had a hit and run scored, Carriero walked and scored, and Cummings and Saunders each had one hit, with Cummings scoring a run.

Newtown visits Pomperaug of Southbury on Wednesday, April 17 and hosts Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport the next day. NHS will visit Immaculate of Danbury on Monday, April 22, and has a rematch with Barlow, at home, on Wednesday, April 24. These games are slated to begin at 4:15 pm.