If it is not a blowout you can practically bet on some final-inning heroics when it comes to Newtown High School’s softball team. Coming off a 15-1 win at Kolbe Cathedral of Bridgeport on April 24 the Nighthawks came from behind for a 4-3 walk-off victory over visiting Immaculate of Danbury two days later.

With the Nighthawks trailing 3-2 and down to their final strike Maddie Thoesen smacked a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a clutch single to drive in two runs and send the Nighthawks to their second walk-off win of the season, and third victory decided in the final inning. What a week for Thoesen who reached the 100 strikeout plateau in Newtown's next game, at Brookfield.

It’s been feast or final-inning heroics for the Nighthawks this spring and the nail-biter versus Immaculate is the first of what Coach Megan Goyda anticipated would be a tough block of South-West Conference matchups in succession.

“Moving into this week it’s just the momentum we need to prove we’re still a top contender in the league,” said Goyda, whose defending SWC Champion Nighthawks had yet to be challenged by conference foes.

The Nighthawks visited Brookfield (only one loss in conference play, 4-3 to Masuk of Monroe) on April 29 and fell 7-1; then were to travel to face a competitive New Milford lineup on Wednesday and will host unbeaten Masuk on Friday at 4:15 pm.

“It’s the first SWC challenge we’ve faced. To be able to pull it out is going to help with confidence,” said Goyda, whose squad previously scored in the last inning to defeat FCIAC foes St Joseph of Trumbull and Fairfield Warde and easily toppled its five previous SWC opponents, winning by nine runs or more in each of those contests.

Goyda said it is nice to see game-deciding rallies come from different parts of the lineup. It was a nice at bat for Thoesen who took the approach of putting the bat on the ball and hitting it hard rather than swinging for the fences, even though she has home run power. Despite the outcome resting on her shoulders Thoesen, a junior who has already committed to Central Connecticut State University, was not overwhelmed by the moment.

“I like the pressure. It pumps me up,” she said.

The winning rally started with the old softball mantra coming to fruition: Put the ball in play and anything can happen. Newtown trailed the Mustangs 3-1 in the final frame. A one-out error, two-out Julia Berry had infield single, and single, and another error got one run home and set the stage for Thoesen to deliver with two base runners in scoring position.

The Mustangs chipped away to build a 3-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Thoesen worked a one-out walk and Bri Pellicone laced a run-scoring triple to center field.

Thoesen pitched well against the Mustangs, striking out seven. Errors and passed balls led to all three Immaculate runs.

Immaculate has a handful of Newtown players on the roster, and some of these girls are teammates of the Nighthawks in summer leagues: Norah Whitmore, Olivia Lugo, Kaylee Hall, Lela Libnen, and Caroline Murray.

In the win over Kolbe Berry singled and hit a home run; Thoesen singled twice, doubled, and tripled; Pelicone doubled, Sophia Caruso hit a triple; Gabby Ansman singled twice and homered; Lila Accousti homered; and Rachael Casagrande singled.

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