Hawk Softball Team Second In Central Valley Tourney

The Newtown Hawks U12 softball team capped off a successful season with a runner-up finish in the Central Valley Fastpitch League Tournament July 30 and 31.

In the first game, the Hawks beat the Southington 99s 13-3 in a mercy rule contest. Lauren Wilcox and Emily Bell shared the pitching duties. The offense was led by Wilcox who had a single and triple, and Haley Ryan who had two bunt base hits, scored three times, and had an RBI. Bella Luciano had a double, Riley Mulligan scored twice, and Shannon Lynch singled, drove in a run and scored. Bell had a bunt single, an RBI, and scored.

The Hawks then mercy-ruled Waterbury PAL 12-2. Emily Bell and Tegan Doherty pitched two innings each. Caitlyn Linden had two singles, an RBI, and scored twice. Luciano doubled and drove in two runs, Katie Reilly had a bunt single and scored, and Cassidy Keller had a single, and a sac bunt for an RBI. The defense was very tight with excellent plays from Bell, Doherty, Linden, and Reilly.

The Hawks then beat the Cheshire Wildcats 9-3. Ryan had a double and single, and scored twice, Luciano had two singles and an RBI, and Linden had a triple, a single, two RBI, and scored three times. Wilcox had two doubles, two RBI, and scored twice, and Kelly Merrick had a double, single, three RBI, and run scored. Wilcox was dominant on the mound.

On day two, the tourney featured a single-elimination round to win the title and the Hawks played hard right to the end on a hot summer weekend. The Hawks beat the Connecticut Titans 5-2. Again, the pitching was the key. Wilcox was brilliant for four innings as was Bell for two. The only hit for the Hawks was from Linden who singled, walked, scored once, and had two RBI. Ryan scored twice,  and Lynch and Mulligan scored a run each. The defense again was very stingy with key plays from Linden, Lynch, and a highlight-film catch from Mulligan to stop the Titans’ momentum. Luciano also threw out a runner at second.

The Hawks then beat a tough Valley Fusion Gold team whom they had not yet beaten all year. Wilcox was masterful, pitching all seven innings and striking out nine in a 4-0 victory. Linden had three singles and scored, and Merrick doubled, singled, had two RBI, and scored. Ryan had a single and scored twice. Luciano and Keller singled and Reilly had two sac bunts. The defense was perfect with several key plays by Linden, Ryan, Merrick, Reilly, and Mulligan.

The victory put the Newtown Hawks in to the championship game with the Southington 98 team. The Hawks fought hard but game up short, 9-3. Linden had a single and scored. Wilcox had a triple, two RBI, and scored a run, Reilly had a double, and Doherty pinch ran and scored. Lynch had a single and Mulligan had a hit, a bunt single, a sac bunt for an RBI, and scored. Luciano threw out two runners attempting to steal. Lynch made two great catches in center field and Merrick made several unassisted plays at first.

The Hawks won the Babe Ruth state championship, were second in the New England regionals, and compiled 37-12-1 record this summer. The team was led by Head Coach Monica Mueller, and assistants Allan Linden, Fred Ryan, Tamara Doherty, and Brian Merrick.

The Hawks thank their sponsors who supported them throughout the season: The Ice Cream Shop, Cassio Kennels, The Meat House, Rings End, The Inn at Newtown, Your Healthy Pet, Ace Hardware, Home Quest Home Inspections, Chuck Hull Landscaping, and Hawleyville Wines and Liquors.