NHS Baseball—

Surprising Hawks Hope Winning Ways Carry Over Into Playoffs

By Andy Hutchison

The Newtown High School baseball team keeps finding different ways — and turning to different players — to win. The Nighthawks rode the first varsity start of freshman pitcher RJ Roman’s career and a scratch-out seventh-inning run to edge Brookfield 3-2 on Monday and a complete game effort tossed by Charlie Lobosco for his first win and four hits by PJ Cochrane in a 12-4 win at Immaculate on Tuesday. They erupted for six runs in the top of the eighth inning to win an extra-inning affair with Weston on May 8. The Hawks have won five one-run games. They’ve pulled out slugfests, including a 12-7 win over New Fairfield on April 21. They’ve won pitching duels, including a pair of 3-2 victories over Brookfield.

“We’ve found some ways to win some tight games,” Coach Carl Strait said. “Credit the kids — they never give up.”

The Hawks improved to 11-5 after Monday’s win over Brookfield, at Yale Field, before traveling to Immaculate and pushing their record to 12-5 on Tuesday. The Hawks were scheduled to take on Masuk on Thursday (after The Bee went to press) and conclude the season Monday against Morgan in a game that might not be played, depending on the start date of the South-West Conference Tournament. Win or lose in the final game(s), given the success they’ve had throughout the season, the Nighthawks can hold their heads high as they head into postseason.

“We’ve definitely surpassed everyone’s expectations,” pitcher/third baseman Nick Saviano said.

Including those of Strait, who saw rebuilding pains written all over his team following the graduation of six starters from last years’ 14-10 squad.

“It’s a fun team to be a part of,” said Strait, adding that there are no standout players.

Against Brookfield, the only runs Roman allowed were unearned. He allowed just four hits and a walk, and struck out two batters in five innings of work. Sophomore lefty Mike Tobin tossed two scoreless innings and struck out three batters to earn the win.

With the game tied 2-2 in the seventh, Saviano earned a leadoff walk. Jake Devellis singled to put runners on the corners and PJ Cochrane hustled to beat out a would-be double play ball to push the eventual winning run across.

Newtown had just returned from a weekend trip to visit the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. — which has become an annual event. The Hawks were disappointed in the result of their game at Cooperstown, a 12-4 loss to Pomperaug (they beat Pomperaug 3-1 in the first game of the year on April 2). But the excursion was a blast, as always, for the players and coaches.

“Every year it’s so much fun. It’s a weekend getaway for us to enjoy baseball,” Strait said.

The Hawks hope to be enjoying baseball on the field deep into the month of May as the playoffs unfold.

“When our heads are in the game we’re unstoppable,” Saviano said.