SOCCER

The Newtown boys’ U11 Crusaders opened the 2005 campaign with a 4-1 win over Danbury. Ryan Dunnigan scored a pair of goals while Colin Cooper and Chris McGowan knocked in one apiece.

Conrad Normann, Hank Helgren and Adam Ellison provided offensive support while Greg Campbell and Justin Brophy were tough on defense.

Meanwhile. the Newtown girls U12 Roadrunners nipped New Fairfield to open their spring season as Emma Kingsley (off a great cross from Kaitlin Brophy) and Jill Jagoe scored the goals.

Sara Murtha was solid in the midfield as Kelly O’Connor, Ali Pliszka, and KellyAnne Brophy shut New Fairfield down and only allowed a goal in the final five minutes.

BASEBALL

 

The Newtown Crusaders opened the 2005 season last Sunday, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Northwest Knights.

Ralph Sergiovanni put together two strong innings of pitching while Andrew Clements, Chris Beauvais, George Zaruba, Jordie Scheiner and Joe Fedak providing solid efforts. Spencer Gregoire paced the offense with a pair of hits as Joe Fedak and George Zaruba each hit run-scoring doubles. Andrew Clements also added a hit.

The Crusaders will be at home on Saturday for a 2:30 pm game.

Meanwhile, the Newtown 13s – playing in the Babe Ruth Leagues of Connecticut Spring Travel season – opened the season with a 5-1 win over Wilton last Sunday.

It was all pitching and defense as Jeff DiNicola, Mike Coates and Jeff Spencer combined on a three-hitter with 11 strikeouts. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, third baseman Keith McGrath went up high to backhand a line drive and step on the back for a double play, thwarting a Wilton comeback bid.

DiNicola banged out a couple of hits and drove in three runs as McGrath had two hits and two RBI. Tyler Edwards, Spencer and DiNicola each added stolen bases.

The 13s will participate in about a dozen Sunday games along with a game on May 6 at Cubeta Stadium in Stamford.