U14

Newtown 11, Norwalk 0

Newtown 11, Norwalk 9

 

For the first time in the history of Babe Ruth Softball, a Newtown team will be playing in a national tournament but there was quite a bit of nail-biting going on before the 14-and-under Hawks could begin making their reservations.

The Hawks defeated the Norwalk Riptide, 11-9, on Saturday to capture the Babe Ruth state championship. The win not only propels the Hawks into the New England Regional Tournament in Stamford (beginning July 28), but secures a spot in the U14 National Tournament in Varina, Virginia (beginning on August 14).

Ashley Kuligowski and Ally Modzelewski roped two-run singles in the seventh inning to help the Hawks put the state championship away. On the mound, Kate Bowen went the distance, scattering four hits while whiffing seven batters.

The locals scored five times in the fourth as Caitlin Cosgrove smoked a single to left, Marley Koschel reached base on an error, Laura Newberry was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Christine Beck, Nicole Elias (who added a hit in the third inning) and Modzelewski reached base on fielder’s choice grounders to score three consecutive runs.

Bowen and Rachael Ruiz  followed with clutch singles to score Beck and Elias to complete the inning.

The Hawks added one more run in the sixth as Beck smashed a double, advanced on a ground out by Kaitlin Marsden, and scored when Nicole Elias who hustled out an infield ball and allowing Beck to score the run.

In the seventh, Kuligowski lined a two-run shot up the middle to score Ruiz and Koschel, who had reached base on errors to start the inning. Modzelewski later followed with a two-run jolt Newberry (who had reached on a walk) and Kuligowski.

Beck, who reached base on an infield error, later scored on an fielder’s choice grounder by Emily Krewson to close out the scoring for Newtown.

That result was a night-and-day difference from the day before when the two squads met in the second round.

The locals drew a bye in the first round and hosted the Riptide on Friday afternoon, swamping the host team, 11-0. And as Bowen fired a two-hitter, striking out 10 without issuing a walk, the offense scored early and often.

In the second, Koschel led off with a walk and was followed by timely hits by Newberry, Kuligowski and Beck. Krewson drove in Koschel with an RBI groundout. In the third, Modzelewski, Bowen and Ruiz collected back-to-back-to-back hits and later scored on a fly ball by Cosgrove and an infield hit by Koschel.

In the fourth, Beck led of with a single and Alex Caracciolo followed her to the basepaths after being struck by a pitch. Bowen reached on a walk and Ruiz was also hit by the pitch. That set the stage for Cosgrove, who smashed a three-run double to left.

The locals added a pair of runs in the sixth as Modzelewski and Bowen were issued walks and were driven in by Ruiz and Cosgrove, who ripped RBI singles for the cause.

The Hawk’s defense was superb in this contest as Newberry (SS) and Modzelewski (2B) played errorless ball, making six strong plays in the field to shut down any Norwalk hopes of scoring. Marsden also made a great catch in left field on a hard hit line drive.

Now the Hawks will prepare for the New England Regionals and the U14 Nationals. Anyone wishing to make donations to help defray the cost of the trip to Virginia can mail a check (made out to Newtown Babe Ruth Softball) to Nancy Bowen, 139 Hanover Road, Newtown.

The Hawks are coached by Nancy Bowen, Tom Bowen, Kevin Kuligowski and Ed Beck.

U12

Newtown 7, Norwalk 5

Natalie Dunn and Colleen Cunningham clubbed RBI doubles as the Newtown 12-and-under travel softball team nipped Norwalk, 7-5. Megan Gibbons and Jessica Jowdy scored two runs apiece as Hannah Koch, Rachel Camejo and Kate Siroky also played well.

The Hawks also smashed Wilton, 13-0, at Liberty Field as Cunningham, Emma Herring, Erin Begg and Ashley Cirone combined on a no-hitter. Jowdy collected three hits while Taylor Johnson and Dunn chipped in with two runs a piece. Kendall Svanda and Madison Hauck preserved the shut out with stellar play behind the plate.

The Hawks improved to 4-1.

U10

Newtown 16, Bethel 8

Rebels 21, Newtown 15

Tigers 8, Newtown 7

Newtown 8, New Canaan 7

It was an up and down week for the 10-and-under Hawks. The locals defeated Bethel (16-8) and New Canaan (8-7), but suffered losses to the Ridgefield Rebels (21-15) and Ridgefield Tigers (8-7).

In the win over Bethel, the offense barrage was led by Alexa Powell, Morgan Macchiarulo and Kelly Brassard, each of whom reached base safely three times. Sheila Smith and Melanie Rotante played well in the field.

In the loss to the Rebels, Natalie Galante pounded three hits (including a double) as Powell collected three singles and Kelly Brassard singled and doubled.

In the loss to the Tigers, pitcher Maggie Kennedy whiffed 14 batters. Melanie Rotante and Kelly O’Sullivan each had RBI hits as Monica Macchiarulo made a sparkling play at first base.

And in the win over New Canaan, the locals rallied with two runs in extra innings to capture the win. Taylor Brady and Maggie Kennedy each walked to start the bottom of the inning and then pulled off a double steal, forcing an errant throw that allowed the tying run to score. Jessica Gibbons then drove home the winning run.