By Kim J. Harmon

SOUTHBURY – After getting off to such a nice start, the Newtown High School softball team seems to have fallen on some hard times.

It may have started a couple of weeks ago, when the Lady Nighthawks saw a two-out error open the door to a three-run seventh inning rally in a 5-4 loss to Masuk. That loss snapped a four-game winning streak and although the ‘Hawks rebounded with a 3-1 win over Brookfield, losses to Bunnell (1-0) and Pomperaug (7-5) have dropped the locals to 8-4 overall.

That muddies up the South-West Conference playoff picture a bit. Coach Jay Edwards said his team will need at least one win (and most likely more) to earn a spot in the quarterfinals … slated to begin on Tuesday, May 27.

Just like in the loss to Masuk, the culprit in the losses to Bunnell and Pomperaug was defense.

Against Bunnell, a couple of passed balls in the second inning (after Kate Carter singled to lead off the frame) allowed the only run of the game to cross the plate. Of course, it didn’t help that the ‘Hawks managed just two hits (singles by Ashley Ferris and Megan LaFlamme).

Lisa Morgan pitched well in the loss, allowing five hits while striking out nine.

Against Pomperaug, the ‘Hawks committed five errors (three of those in the first inning along) and allowed five unearned runs to cross the plate. A four-run explosion in the bottom of the fourth by Pomperaug broke open a close game.

For the ‘Hawks, Trina Ramsdell was 2-for-3 with three stolen bases and two runs scored in the contest. Ferris was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Christina Wolf and Morgan both singled in runs and Erin Murdoch drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Morgan scattered six hits, walking one and striking out five.

The ‘Hawks had a game with Foran rained out on Monday and will now be facing a brutal schedule with games against Weston and Kolbe-Cathedral this week and a possible doubleheader on Saturday. Then Stratford, Pomperaug and New Fairfield all lie in wait next week.