Sure, runs and wins have been aplenty for Newtown High School’s softball team — including nine double-digit outbursts heading into a May 12 showdown with Masuk of Monroe at Treadwell Park. But even though the Nighthawks left the field on a losing end of a 1-0 pitcher’s duel with the Panthers, they came away with perhaps the biggest dose of optimism they have had this spring.

“That game, even though we lost, should give you all the confidence in the world,” Coach Joanna Closs told her Nighthawks after Masuk celebrated remaining unbeaten and the top team in the Class L state standings. “If things go the way they should we’ll see them again the (South-West Conference tournament) final.”

The SWC playoffs begin with quarterfinal round action on Saturday, May 22. Closs and the Nighthawks are hoping to have a chance to defeat two teams they lost to a couple of times during the regular slate. The Hawks fell to Notre Dame-Fairfield in an 8-7 extra-inning contest at home and a wild 15-14 road game that featured a late Notre Dame comeback in the final inning; both setbacks resulted from several Newtown errors. Newtown lost to Masuk 5-0 earlier this spring.

Closs was thrilled with her team’s sparkling defense in the rematch with Masuk. Rachel Casagrande in center field and Katie Goyda in right, Ashley Hubner with a diving play at second base, shortstop Bri Pellicone, and catcher Morgan Melillo all stood out. NHS had an infield effort to make an out on a rundown as well.

“We went toe to toe and were one hit away from beating the number one team in the state,” Closs said.

Masuk pitcher and Holy Cross-bound Kathryn Gallant held Newtown to just a pair of hits, narrowly outdueling Sydney Adolfson. Masuk center fielder Natalie Lieto made a diving catch to rob Caroline Gardner of what would have been a homer if the game had been played at NHS where there is an outfield fence, according to Closs.

Masuk was held to its lowest run total of the season, and the lone run came across during a rundown.

The Nighthawks defeated Bethel 6-1 at Treadwell Park on May 14. Nicole Fisher had ten strikeouts to earn the win. Hubner went 3-for-4. Pellicone and Cam Powers both had RBIs, and Goyda and Gina Lewis played great games in the outfield.

NHS capped off the regular season against New Milford on May 18 in what could be a preview of the SWC playoff quarterfinals. It was a thriller with Newtown prevailing 4-3 in ten innings. The SWC playoffs begin with the quarterfinals on Saturday, May 22. Seedings had not been announced as of press time, but Newtown appeared in line to earn the No. 3 seed and could host No. 6 New Milford or Joel Barlow of Redding depending on results of late-season games.

In the win over New Milford on May 18, Sarah Kick delivered the walk-off hit to score courtesy runner Julia Berry (running for Adolfson). Pellicone had a clutch two-run hit. Adolfson struck out 15 and pitched beautifully, Closs said. The coach added that Melillo continues to be “an absolute leader calling pitches behind the plate.” Pellicone, Goyda, and Melillo played strong defense.

“Very confident going in. The sky’s the limit,” Closs said.

“I’m pretty confident — if we play like we did today,” said Hubner after the Masuk game, adding that the pitching of Adolfson which has kept Newtown in every game is key.

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