Update: Game time for Thursday's contest versus Naugatuck has been changed to 2:30 pm.

Highlighted by a pair of fifth-inning homeruns, the second-seeded Newtown High School baseball team posted a 9-1 victory over visiting and No. 31 Middletown in the first round of the Class LL state tournament, at home on May 29.

Luke Melillo hit a solo homer, and Sammy Smith cracked a three-run bomb over the scoreboard in left field as the Nighthawks opened some breathing room and took an 8-1 lead into the sixth. Melillo recorded two hits, walked twice, and scored a pair of runs. Smith had two hits, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Matt Bradbury had an RBI double and two singles, and a run scored. Todd Petersen logged three hits with a double, RBI, and run scored. Connor Haywood doubled, drove in a run, and scored. Shane Demers had a hit, RBI, and two runs scored. Tyler Stroili had a hit. Newtown accumulated a baker's dozen hits.

Starting pitcher Connor Haywood fanned seven batters in six innings of work, and Smith pitched the final frame, striking out one.

Newtown advanced to Thursday's second-round matchup with No. 15 Naugatuck at 2:30 pm.