Newtown High School’s baseball team heads into the South-West Conference tournament with a 10-7 record and as the No. 7 seed. But, considering three of the setbacks were one-run battles, if the Nighthawks can get past No. 2 Masuk of Monroe in the Saturday, May 22, quarterfinals (at Masuk at noon) the Hawks have reason to believe they can compete with anybody and make some playoff noise.

“I’m very optimistic. I think we’re playing really well,” Coach Ian Thoesen said. “We’ve got a great team here. The guys just have to bring it and I know they will.”

Newtown fell 13-1 to Masuk of Monroe on May 12 and were shut out for the second time by Bethel two nights later, falling 4-0 to the Wildcats. Bethel and Joel Barlow had each edged NHS in 1-0 pitcher’s duels earlier this spring, and Weston nipped the Nighthawks 4-3 in extra innings.

In the Masuk game, Karl Miller and Tom Tavar hit doubles. In the 4-0 setback to Bethel, the Hawks were limited to a pair of hits, doubles by CJ Demers and Miller.

Newtown defeated New Milford 13-6 in the season opener, back on April 10, and concluded the regular season with a 3-2 win over visiting New Milford on May 18. David Braun pitched all seven innings, allowing two unearned runs, walking just one, and striking out 11. Jack Peterson had a hit and run batted in, Dylan Goyette had a hit and run scored, Patrick Boyle delivered a hit, RBI, and run scored, and Miller added a hit, walk, and run scored.

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