BETHEL – The two-time defending state champions – now the 12-year-old Newtown All-Stars – opened defense of their Bethel Tournament Championship with a 13-2 win over Redding on Monday night.

Because of in-town playoff games, Newtown had just 10 players at its disposal.

The offensive attack was led by Ryan McGrath (3-for-3, three RBI, two runs scored), Steve Marks (2-for-2, two RBI, two runs scored) and Brian Conroy (1-for-2, 1 RBI, two runs scored). Kevin Cahalane, Scott Suhoza and Sean Ryan also drove in runs while JoeDeVellis and Joe Rahtelli scored two runs apiece, each stealing home on a passed ball.

Sean Ryan pitched well, allowing two hits and two unearned runs in three innings of work. He whiffed four batters. Billy Spencer closed out the game in the fourth, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Newtown also turned a double play with a Rahtelli-McGrath-Marks combo.

The 12-year-olds will play their next game at the Bethel Tournament on Saturday morning against the winner of the New Canaan-Brookfield game.