The Newtown Hawks Blue 10U baseball team heated up in district play in late June and, with three consecutive wins, has earned the top seed going into the State Tournament.

Newtown’s team entered regional pool play on a mission to make it to states. In their first game, the Hawks were defeated by the New Fairfield Rebels but that did not stop them. They went on to defeat Danbury, New Milford, and New Fairfield in a rematch to secure their spot at the top of the upcoming state bracket.

Of the 15 teams participating in the 10U district pool play, the Hawks had the lowest number of runs scored against them, allowing a total of only nine runners to cross home plate.

Coaches Nick Veneziano, Sean Sterner, Chris Berich, and Johnathan Flores led a group of players that includes Derrick Reuther, Harley Attonito, Camron Veneziano, Alex Flores, Devin Santacroce, Marty Amidon, Max Williams, Aiden Berich, Cole Boyajian, Daniel Dogali, Andrew Adams, Cy Sterner, Landon Katz, and Reid Keil.

Regional tourney game highlights are as follows:

Rebels 5, Hawks 3: Newtown stayed in it until the end, but Rebels pulled away late. The game was tied 2-2 when an error scored one run for Rebels in the fifth. Camron Veneziano started the game for the Hawks. The righty surrendered three runs on four hits over four and a third innings, striking out five. Cy Sterner and Cole Boyajian entered the game from the bullpen, throwing one inning and two-thirds of an inning respectively. Devin Santacroce led Newtown with two hits in three at bats.

Hawks 6, Danbury 3: The Hawks took the lead late to earn the victory over the Hat City Bombers. The game was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth when Andrew Adams singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run. Earlier in the inning, Alex Flores drove in a run on a ground out. After falling behind early, the Hawks battled back. Landon Katz drew a walk to force in a run as Newtown rallied.

Cy Sterner was on the hill and allowed ten hits and three runs over five innings, striking out five.

Hawks 2, New Milford 0: Camron Veneziano threw a gem, striking out three and allowing five hits New Milford Green Wave pitchers sat down 12 but the Hawks scratched out a pair of runs. Reid Keil, Daniel Dogali, Landon Katz, and Alex Flores all had one hit. Newtown did not commit an error in the field. Veneziano had the most chances in the field with four plays.

Hawks 13, Rebels 1: The game was tied 1-1 in the top of the third when Reid Keil drew a walk, scoring one run. Devin Santacroce led the Hawks by driving in four runs; he went 3-for-4. Santacroce drove in runs on a double in the fourth and a single in the fourth as Newtown batted around and scored 11 runs in the frame. Newtown’s big bats in the inning were led by singles by Landon Katz, Aiden Berich, Alex Flores, and Santacroce, error balls put in play by Andrew Adams and Cy Sterner, and a double by Santacroce. Sterner started on the mound and lasted four innings, allowing one hit and one run while striking out eight and walking one.