Newtown High School pitcher Sydney Adolfson followed up a one-hitter, her bid for a perfect game broken up only by a bunt single, with a perfect game — 21 batters up, 21 down; no hits, walks, errors, hit batters — when the Nighthawk softball team blanked visiting Fitch High of Groton 6-0 on May 5. Adolfson not only silenced the opposing bats but practically put the Nighthawk defense on sleep mode as only five balls were put into play; she recorded 16 of her 21 outs via the strikeout.

After weeks of mostly-dominant, slow pitch league-like scoring — including a half-dozen games with more than 20 runs — the Nighthawks have had some tests, including the 6-0 win over Fitch and, just before that, a 6-0 win (the one-hitter) over Brookfield. The day after Adolfson’s perfect performance, she threw a no-hitter, in by far the team’s toughest test yet, a 1-0 edging of visiting Shepaug Valley of Washington. Adolfson struck out the side to end it and fanned a total of 14 hitters. She worked around one error and, as has been the case throughout the spring, has been spot-on and did not walk anybody.

“She’s been absolutely lights out all year. I thought she was good last year — this is just ridiculous,” Newtown Coach Joanna Closs said of Adolfson’s work.

Consider this: Newtown, led by Adolfson with Maddie Thoesen and Caroline Gardner also picking up some innings in the pitcher’s circle, is 15-0 and has surrendered just nine runs all spring.

Adolfson, who is headed to Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md., credited her hitters for supplying so much run support putting her at ease and to her catcher, Bri Pellicone, for her success.

“She does a fantastic job analyzing the hitters,” Adolfson said of her battery-mate who calls the pitches, determining how to mix speeds and approach each batter.

“Our chemistry’s been great this year,” Adolfson said of not only the bond she and Pellicone have but also the unity on the entire team.

In the perfect game win, Julia Berry tripled and Pellicone, Rachel Casagrande, and Sophia Caruso all doubled. Berry and Pellicone, at the top of the order, both had three hits and drove in two runs. Gabby Anisman had a hit and walk, and knocked in a run.

The Shepaug Valley matchup was quite a pitching duel as Adolfson’s counterpart, Amelia Jacob surrendered just three hits — one was a first-inning single by Thoesen inside third base to drive in Berry who had reached on an error. Thoesen later ripped a double to deep left, and Casagrande had a bunt single for the only other hit.

“She worked the zone really well,” Closs said of Newtown’s opposing pitcher.

Newtown’s batters adjusted as best they could and worked the count to put some pressure on Shepaug Valley. In the fourth, Adolfson ran the count full before walking and Casagrande reached on her bunt single before Jacob got out of trouble. Thoesen doubled in the sixth but was left stranded as the Nighthawks, for the first time this spring, could not provide their pitcher any insurance run support.

This kind of test is something Closs and company need as the Nighthawks get ready for the postseason. At some point, the Nighthawks stand likely to encounter another pitcher similar to Shepaug Valley’s thrower.

“It’s going to prepare us,” said Closs, who pointed out the back end of the regular-season schedule features more potential playoff primers with the Hawks facing potentially tough pitching. Following a visit from Notre Dame-Fairfield on May 8, Newtown’s competition included New Milford, Masuk of Monroe, and Woodland, all formidable foes.

Newtown defeated Notre Dame 6-1. Adolfson allowed just two hits and one run, she struck out 18, and again did not issue a walk. Pellicone and Thoesen both hit triples. Pellicone and Adolfson each knocked in two runs, and Thoesen and Caruso both had an RBI.

The Nighthawks visited Immaculate of Danbury on May 9 and finally had its first loss of the campaign in a 9-6 outcome, although it is to be taken with a grain of salt. Immaculate is a solid team with nine wins, but Closs gave Adolfson a rest and the Mustangs capitalized; Adolfson came on in relief and surrendered only one run but it was too late even for Newtown’s hot bats. Berry and Ansman both went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in, Casagrande was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Adolfson was 2-for-3.

After looking to dethrone perennial South-West Conference powerhouse Masuk, the Nighthawks — tops in the Class LL state rankings through its 15-0 start — will also look to make a deep run in the state bracket. It generally comes down to stellar pitching, and the Shepaug Valley game is a perfect example of this. Ironically enough, Shepaug Valley is one of the smallest schools in the state, competing in Class S.

Newtown had plenty of confidence already. Scoring an average of more than a dozen runs per game and shutdown pitching to back it all up will do that. But now, with that 1-0 win under their belts, these Nighthawks know they can pull out a low-scoring, playoff-feel close one, too.

“It’s a little nerve-racking but it’s fun,” Adolfson said of being involved in an every-pitch-matters tight contest. “We get to see how we do under pressure — if we crack or not, and we didn’t crack.”

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