Knights Win Memorial Day Tourney

Newtown’s 10-year-old baseball team, the Knights, won four games to win the inaugural double-elimination Memorial Day Travel A Tournament at Glander Field last week.

Under the strategic guidance of manager Lou Blanco and coaches Dave Gerics and John Moulder, the team of 12 showed their might at bat and in the field against formidable opponents from Danbury, Bethel and Brookfield. Game highlights are as follows:

Newtown 9, Brookfield 3: Newtown opened the tournament Friday night against Brookfield with strong pitching performances from Matt Gerics (4 strikeouts), Patrick Conte, and lefty Austin Kasbarian.  Newtown’s scoring was powered by Jake Oliger (2-for-3), Matt Gerics (2-for-3) and Matt Davis (2-for-2, 2 RBIs). Other key hits in Newtown rallies came from Jamie Cochrane, Bobby Haskins and Mitchell Savoca.

Newtown 7, Danbury 4: Down 4-2 in the sixth inning, Chris Blanco doubled, Matt Gerics hit a single, Matt Davis doubled in a run and Jack Moulder put the Knights in front with a two-run double. A single to left by Sam Duffy drove in 2 insurance runs. Mitchell Savoca, Jack Moulder and Matt Gerics pitched well in the win.

Newtown 5, Bethel 4: Jake Oliger and Chris Blanco both had two hits. Jack Moulder pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings and Matt Gerics closed out the win.

Newtown 4, Danbury 2 (championship): Fierce pitching from Matt Gerics (4 innings with one unearned run) and Mitch Savoca (2 scoreless innings), kept the Danbury bats in check all game long. A bases-clearing double by Matt Gerics in the third, along with strong bats from Blanco (2-for-2) and Conte (2-for-2 with a double) put Newtown in the driver’s seat. Second baseman Justin Dunn made the final out.

The Newtown Knights kick off their summer season at the annual Jimmy Fund Tournament in Bethel against West Norwalk on Monday June 8 at 7:30 pm.