The U14 Newtown Hawks softball team reached the finals of the Connecticut Babe Ruth Softball State Tournament during the first weekend of July.

The Hawks scored 34 runs on Saturday by defeating the Danbury Storm 19-7 and the Greenwich Cardinals 15-6. The march to the finals started with a two-out comeback in the final inning against Greenwich, with the Hawks scoring eight runs to get the win.

Third baseman Dani Lewis hit the only home run, and Shauna Tucker hit a triple. Grace Howgego had the hottest bat of the tournament with numerous singles, two doubles, and one triple, while also making great plays as the second baseman. Clutch tournament hits came from Eileen McCleary, Kiersten Fallon, and Emma Gotschlich, which kept the rallies alive.

But it was the solid defensive play that kept opposing teams in check with great catches by Kiersten Fallon, Eileen McCleary, and Emma Gotschlich (each with three singles), and Molly McCleary (two singles). Shortstops Cameron Powers (two singles) and Shannon Jackman (four singles) led the team in steals.

Catching duties were split between the Hawks' three very talented catchers: Ally Daoust (five singles), Isabella Wakeman (four singles), and Shauna Tucker (three singles and a triple). The Hawks have three outstanding pitchers in Virginia Hepp (who also came up with four singles), Shannon Jackman, and Shauna Tucker. Virginia Hepp recorded 24 strikeouts in the 19 innings she pitched.

The Hawks made it to the championship game on Sunday, but in the end fell to a very talented New Milford team.