Newtown High School's softball team won its Class LL State Tournament opener. Newtown earned the No. 9 seed and defeated visiting and No. 24 Staples of Westport 13-10 in the first round, on May 28. With the win, the Nighthawks advanced to the second round and earned a trip to No. 8 E.O. Smith up in Storrs on Wednesday, May 29, at 3:45 p.m.

Against Staples the Hawks racked up 17 hits. After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first the Hawks scored five in the bottom of the frame. Bri Pellicone had four hits, including a triple, two RBI, and three runs scored. Addy Cordova had two hits, including a double, drove in three, and scored twice. Maddie Thoesen had two hits, including a double, and drove in a pair. Thoesen collected her 100th career base hit in the win. Gilly Boughan tripled and drove in two runs. Gabby Ansman had two hits, including a double, drove in a run, and scored twice.

Thoesen, Cordova, and Rheya Litke combined efforts in the pitcher’s circle with Cordova allowing just one earned run in four innings of work. Litke came off the bench and finished off the game. She battled hard and shook off a late Staples rally as the Wreckers plated four in the final frame.

“I think it’s a good way to bounce back after last Wednesday,” said Goyda, referring to the SWC title game. “I think it puts us back in that mindset that we’re going to have to grind — nothing’s easy in the State Tournament,” Goyda said.

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