STAMFORD – After making a couple of long rides to Cove Island Park in Stamford, it would have been nice to come away with a Connecticut Babe Ruth State Championship.

But the Newtown U12 Hawks will have to settle for runner-up. A 9-0 loss to Stamford in the tournament final last weekend decided that.

The locals defeated New Milford (11-1) and Norwalk (15-5) to open the tournament, then dropped a tough decision to Stamford (5-4) to fall into the loser’s bracket. Another win over Norwalk (10-4) gave the Hawks another opportunity against Stamford.

The Hawks were limited to just four hits. Katie Schmidt singled in the first inning, Kaila Harrington singled in the second, Kelley Tenney singled in the third, and Joanna Barry doubled in the fourth – but that was it.

Stacey Broughton, Nora Lynn Shimko and Laura Newberry played well in the field and Jenna Legros pitched well.

The Hawks did get off to a great start with the win over New Milford. Megan Sajovic and Legros combined on a one-hitter with seven strikeouts while Shimko doubled and singled to spark the offense. Tenney, Schmidt, Broughton, Harrington and Barry all singled.

Elissa Robertson, Melissa Fracker and Nicole Alberico played well.

In the win over Norwalk, there were great defensive plays made by Legros, Tenney, Robertson, Alberico and Katie Kirrane. Newberry banged out a pair of doubles and drove in two runs while Tenney singled in three runs. Broughton and Sajovic each singled to bring in two runs while Robertson had two singles and Fracker, Kirrane, Harrington and Shimko contributed singles.

In the Saturday loss to Stamford, Sajovic and Legos pitched a tight game. Offensively, Broughton and Newberrry both hit doubles, Tenney and Shimko each hit two singles and Fracker had one single.  Stamford was able to capitalize on some of Newtown’s errors in the field but the team still played strong with unassisted outs from Tenney (2), Schmidt (2), Broughton (1), Barry (1) and Newberry (1). Jax Van Waalwijk also played well.

In their first game in the loser’s bracket, Tenney had three hits and Fracker had one in the win over Norwalk. Those were the only hits the Hawks managed, but they took advantage of some 15 bases on balls. Legros was walked four times while Robertson and Shimko each earned three walks.

But the Hawks’ good fortune ended there.

Regular Season

The Hawks opened their 2003 regular season recently with three wins in its first four games.

The locals defeated Bethel (12-6), Fairfield Blaze (6-3) and Southington (15-2) whole falling to the Stratford Seahawks (12-4).

In the win against Bethel, Broughton and Sajovic combined on a two-hitter while whiffing 15 batters. Schmidt, Newberry, Fracker, Harrington, Broughton, and Sajovic all hit singles. Fracker and Van Waalwijk played well defensively.

Against the Seahawks in Stratford, Schmidt and Broughton each hit doubles while Harrington banged out a pair of singles. Robertson and Kirrane also had singles. Barry, Kirrane and Fracker played well in the outfield getting two outs apiece.

In the win over the Blaze, Broughton and Sajovic combined for a one-hitter. Alberico had a great defensive game at second base and Shimko played well behind the plate. Harrington doubled and Schmidt went 3-for-3 with three singles to spark the offense.

In the win in Southington, Broughton and LeGros pitched well, striking out seven batters apiece while allowing only two hits and four walks in the game. Shimko had another great day behind the plate, throwing out two runners.

Robertson played well at third and collected three singles to lead the offense. Kirrane blasted a double as Newberry, Broughton and Katie Schmidt each hit two singles.

Tenney, LeGros, Barry, Fracker and Sajovic all hit singles.