After a tough loss to first-place Watertown (a 2-1 loss), the Newtown Hawks 14-and-under travel softball team took out its frustrations on New Milford, Stratford and Bethel and took over second place in the Central Valley Fastpitch League with a 5-1 record.

Strong pitching, excellent defense and timely hitting continue to lead the way for the Hawks.

In a 14-1 win over New Milford, the Hawks banged out 12 hits – two apiece for Rachel Nicolosi, Katie Schmidt and Jaclyn Van Waalwijk. Schmidt blasted a home run to deep left center field. Val Nezvesky, Kelly Tenney and Nicole Alberico all contributed with key RBIs. Nicole Cunningham and Ashlee Ross played solid defense while pitchers Stacy Broughton and Jen Blauvelt combined on a no hitter and only allowed 5 New Milford runs to reach base.

In a narrow 12-10 win over the Stratford Breakers, the Hawks scored all of their runs in the first two innings and held on for the win. Joanna Barry, Blauvelt and Sarah Greenfield led the offense, with Barry reaching base three times, scoring twice, stealing a base and driving in a run. Greenfield ripped a double down the left field line, scoring two key runs for the Hawks and Blauvelt contributed with two hits. Van Waalwijk made a spectacular game saving catch in right field in the seventh inning.

And in an 8-6 win over Bethel, Broughton singled, doubled, walked, scored three runs and drove in two more. Melissa Fracker also contributed offensively with a key single, RBI and run scored. Ashlee Ross, Barry and Nicole Alberico drove in late-inning runs to give Newtown the lead for good. Solid defense by Barry at third base, Nicolosi at second, Nezvesky at short and Schmidt behind the plate was instrumental in the win. Blauvelt, Broughton and Mariale Renna pitched well and combined for the win.

U10 –

 

Oh, so close.

After a 15-1 loss to the Stratford Breakers (a team that has won 37 of its last 41 games), the Newtown 10-and-under travel team suffered a pair of one-run defeats last week to New Fairfield (20-19) and Watertown (8-7).

In the loss to Stratford, the locals scored their only run in the sixth inning. Taylor Johnson led off with a bunt base hit. Rachel Camejo followed with a single and Natalie Dunn plated Johnson by roping a single to right field.

Erin Begg put good wood on the ball throughout the game.

On defense, the Hawks put forth their best effort of the year by making 13 defensive put outs – three of those by the Brittany Soucar. Dunn made an unassisted double play, Kendall Svanda made a nice play from behind the plate and Colleen Cunningham and Johnson caught fly balls.

In the loss to New Fairfield, a rally in the bottom of the final inning fell just short. With two outs, the Hawks loaded the bases but could only push one run across the plate. Johnson went 5-for-5 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Cunningham went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. Camejo and Shannon Barra displayed patience at the plate by walking four times apiece.

Katelyn Dandrea put good wood on the ball throughout the game. The defense was led by Soucar, who made a spectacular leaping catch in center field, and Natalie Dunn, who made an unassisted double play for the second straight game at first base.

In the loss to Watertown, the locals scored four times in the first inning on a two-run single by Svanda and bases-loaded walked to Marissa Cascella and Emma Herring. But over the next two innings, Watertown scored seven times to take the lead.

The Hawks played valiantly and tied the score in the fourth with two runs of their own. But as darkness approached, Watertown was able to score a run in their top half of the last inning to take an 8-7 lead. In the bottom of the last inning, Newtown rallied with two outs to load the bases, but could not push a run across.

Offensively, Jackie Kissack led the way by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Johnson contributed two hits and two runs scored and Cunningham added a hit. On the defensive side of the ball, Newtown played another great game in the field as Barra caught a scorching line drive in left field, Cunningham made two put outs, Camejo and Svanda each had a put out, and Begg nearly threw out two batters at first base from right field.

Cunningham pitched well by striking out 10 Watertown batters.