The Newtown Hawks Blue 11U district team was runner-up in the Al Leonard Tournament played in Bethel in mid June. The team is led by coaches Jeff Pacuk, Andy Milkovic, and Steve Platt. Players are Shea Platt, Antonio Puebla, Jake Coscia, Luke Laufer, James Gulalo, Dalton Albert, Zach Milkovic, Charlie Magnano, Noah Blair, Gavin Leonard, Bryce Pacuk, Shane Rekos, and Christian Nault.

The tournament is single elimination after pool play. Eight teams from around the state battled for the title (Pomperaug of Southbury, New Fairfield, Danbury, Newtown, New Canaan, Brookfield, Bethel, and Norwalk). The Hawks won their first four games to reach the championship round.

In game one, Newtown defeated the Bethel Wildcats 5-4. Albert got the start for Hawks Blue and went 3.2 innings. Blair, Albert, Rekos, Pacuk, Magnano, Milkovic, and Leonard all collected hits as the Hawks had ten base hits overall. Albert led the way with two runs batted in. The defense was strong and the Hawks did not commit an error. Plays resulting in outs were made by Milkovic, Pacuk, Puebla, Blair, Leonard, Platt, and Rekos. Milkovic ended the game on the mound and struck out three batters. Nault helped out the pitchers with strong work behind the plate.

The Hawks crushed the Danbury Hatters 21-0 in game two. Platt pitched the entire three innings and led the team with six runs batted in. Albert and Puebla had four RBI each. Blair, Magnano, Milkovic, and Leonard also drove in runs.

The Hawks went into single elimination as the top seed and met the Danbury Hatters again, and won 16-6. Leonard started on the mound and was followed by Puebla and Rekos. Defense was strong with plays by Puebla, Albert, Platt, Milkovic, and Pacuk. Milkovic and Laufer turned a double play in the top of the third and again in the fourth to end the game. Magnano was bad news for opposing pitchers, driving in four runs. Blair, Milkovic, Albert, and Rekos had key hits. Pacuk, Puebla, Platt, and Leonard contributed runs.

In game four, the Hawks took a late lead for a 15-12 victory over Brookfield. Albert, Pacuk, Platt, and Milkovic all made appearances on the mound. The Hawks racked up 13 hits, and Puebla, Pacuk, Albert, and Leonard all managed multiple hits. Pacuk led with four stolen bases as the Hawks ran wild on the base paths with 15 total steals.

The Hawks went into the bottom of the fifth trailing 12-7. Puebla and Leonard both had hits that brought in two runs. Laufer, Blair, and Albert also had hits resulting in runs. Milkovic scored the eighth run of the inning by stealing home. The Hawks held the lead behind plays by Puebla, Milkovic, and Rekos. With the win, Newtown advanced to the title matchup.

In the championship tilt, the Hawks fell 14-4 to Norwalk. Platt was on the pitcher’s mound to start and Puebla and Leonard entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning each. The Hawks had five hits. Milkovic and Albert each had multiple hits. The Hawks walked away with their heads high and a second-place finish.