With three more wins in the Central Valley Fastpitch League (CVFL) coming on the heels of a state title, the Newtown Hawks 12-and-under travel softball team seems poised to make some noise in the New England Regionals this weekend in Stamford.

The Hawks defeated Watertown (5-1), Cheshire (6-3) and Prospect (9-1).

The game with Watertown was a tight one, a scoreless tie until the fifth inning. Then the Hawks came up with the big hits in the fifth and sixth innings to score the five runs. With two runners on, Laura Newberry reached on a bunt and Caitlyn Cosgrove drove two home with a single to highlight the scoring.

Rachel Ruiz was on base all three at bats with two walks and a base hit, scoring once. Kate Bowen pitched seven strong innings and Nora Lynn Shimko chipped in by throwing out two Watertown runners at second base in the first inning.

Also on defense, Newberry made five put outs from third while and Christine Beck, Allie Modzelewski and Megan Sajovic all had strong games in the field.

Now, the Cheshire Wildcats – a strong ASA tournament squad – posed a tough challenge, but Shimko had an incredible offensive performance by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, two singles and three runs scored. Caitlyn Cosgrove hit well with two singles and three RBIs. Bowen also delivered with a single, a double, and two RBIs, reaching base all three at bats.

For the defense, Sajovic pitched the entire game and registered five strikeouts without walking a batter. The outfield did a great job with Modzelewski catching three flies in right and Anne Marie Davis catching two in center field.

In the win over Prospect, Sajovic banged out three singles and scored twice. Davis collected two singles and two RBIs as Monique Samuelson helped out by tripling over the left fielder’s head. Newberry doubled, singled, drove in two runs, and scored twice. Cosgrove, Beck, Bowen and Modzelewski all delivered singles.

For the defense, Bowen pitched five innings with two strikeouts and nine putouts in the field. Sajovic finished the game with four strikeouts. Ruiz had a nice game behind the plate, throwing out one runner attempting to steal and then laying down a key sacrifice bunt for an RBI.

The Hawks have one more regular season game before starting Regional action on Friday.

Hawks U14 –

With three wins in their last four games, the Newtown Hawks 14-and-under travel softball team secured second-place in the Central Valley Fastpitch League (CVFL) and prepared itself for the league tournament this weekend.

Solid pitching from all three hurlers, excellent defense and timely hitting were the key ingredients for the Hawks during this impressive run.

The Hawks began their solid run by defeating Watertown, the top team in the CVFL, 3-2. Stacy Broughton and Mariale Renna combined for the win, allowing just three hits while fanning six batters. The offense was led by Val Nezvesky, who smacked three singles and scored a run. Other offensive contributions came from Kelly Tenney with two hits and Jaclyn Van Waalwijk and Stacy Broughton with singles.

Joanna Barry, Jen Blauvelt and Melissa Fracker played well defensively for the Hawks.

The Hawks followed with a key 2-0 win against a very strong Cheshire team. Renna went the distance on the mound, giving up just three hits and striking out six Wildcats. Katie Schmidt, Rachel Nicolosi, Broughton and Barry all contributed with base hits as Barry smacked a key double in the fifth and later scored on Fracker’s sacrifice fly to right field.

Sarah Greenfield and Nicole Alberico played well defensively for the Hawks.

The Hawks continued their roll, winning for the third straight time with an 11-3 defeat of Naugatuck. Broughton went the distance, allowing just three Naugatuck hits. Fracker put in a solid performance behind the plate as she gunned down two Naugatuck runners trying to steal.

The Hawks offense was in high gear as they scored in every inning except the first. Nezvesky, Tenney, Barry and Fracker had two hits apiece as Schmidt, Nicolosi, Blauvelt, Broughton and Greenfield all contributed with hits. Barry and Schmidt had two RBIs each while Alberico had one.

The Hawks’ only loss during the run came against Fairfield, 6-5, despite a strong pitching performance from Blauvelt. The hurler went 41/3 innings, allowing just three hits while fanning three Fairfield batters. Defensive lapses early on proved to be the difference as Fairfield took advantage, scoring three times in the second inning.

Renna was solid in relief of Blauvelt and helped herself at the plate with three singles. Nezvesky, Schmidt and Barry had two hits apiece.

Schmidt was solid behind the plate for the Hawks, catching three foul tips for strike outs and gunning down a Fairfield runner trying to steal second base.

Fall Ball

Newtown Babe Ruth Softball will sponsor a Fall League and finals registrations will be held this weekend and next week.

Registrations will be at in the old court room at the Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, July 31 (9 am to 12 noon); Wednesday, August 4 (7 to 9 pm); and Monday, August 9 (7 to 9 pm).

There will be no late registrations accepted.

Sponsors and coaches can contact Shari Burton at 426-5977.