NHS Track Girls Complete Regular Season Undefeated

By Kim J. Harmon

The post season – for some Newtown High School teams their playoff fates were still hanging in the balance while for others those fates have already been decided as the 2005 regular season began wrapping up this week.

The baseball team was still on the bubble while the softball team saw its stock slip with four consecutive South-West Conference losses, but the girls’ lacrosse team earned itself a spot (thanks to Joel Barlow) in its Division I championship game.

While the girls’ tennis team has already secured a spot in the SWC team tournament, both the girls and boys were still working on getting as many players as they could into the SWC individual tournament.

There are still some issues to resolve and it all comes to a head this week.

GIRLS TRACK

Newtown 103, Joel Barlow 47; Newtown 126, New Milford 24; Newtown 110.5, N. Fairfield 39.5

If it was a secret before, it isn’t any longer.

The Newtown High School girls’ track team is at the top of South-West Conference mountain after pounding Joel Barlow (103-47), New Milford (126-24) and New Fairfield (110.5-39.5) on Tuesday to finish the regular season at 13-0.

For the Lady Falcons of Barlow, it was only their second loss of the season – yet it was by 56 points.

It was near total domination as the Lady Nighthawks won 14 of 18 events on the afternoon. Alex Konneker (100-, 200-, 400-meter dashes) was a triple winner and Sadie Ball (800, 1,600 meters), Siobhan Cooper (javelin, shot put) and Jacky Curran (high jump, triple jump) were all double winners.

Jess Cosgrove (discus) and Ciara Simek (long jump) also earned victories while the 4x800 relay (Darcy Fiscella, Whitney Allison, Kate Stickles and Remy Ball), the 4x100 relay (Leah Herity, Julie Landin, Kristi Nowak and Simek) and 4x400 relay (Remy Ball, Sadie Ball, Simek and Konneker) all won.

All the ‘Hawks have to do now is back up that 13-0 record and defend their South-West Conference championship on Tuesday in Brookfield.

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Track Events

4x800 relay – 1. Newtown (Darcy Fiscella, Whitney Allison, Kate Stickles, Remy Ball), 10:11.16; 2. Joel Barlow, 10:23.22; 3. New Fairfield, 10:23.9; 4x100 relay – 1. Newtown (Leah Herity, Julie Landin, Kristi Nowak, Ciara Simek), 53.3; 2. Joel Barlow, 55.2; 3. New Fairfield, 58.3; 100 high hurdles – 1. Amy Gould (JB), 17.4; 2. Alex Helmes (NF), 17.8; 3. Casey McKenna (NM), 18.8; 100 dash – 1. Alex Konneker (N), 13.2; 2. Schnabel (NF), 13.7; 3. Holly O’Day (N), 13.9; 1,600 meters – 1. Sadie Ball (N), 5:29.7; 2. Calla McNamara (JB), 5:34.16; 3. Kate Stickles (N), 5:42.57; 400 dash – 1. Alex Konneker (N), 59.7; 2. Kara Fisher (NM), 1:01.2; 3. Erica Celini (JB), 1:02.6; 300 intermediate hurdles – 1. Amy Gould (JB), 48.4; 2. Emily Ahlberg (JB), 52.1; 3. Kuhn (NF), 53.2; 800 meters – 1. Sadie Ball (N), 2:26.10; 2. Remy Ball (N), 2:31.01; 3. Calla McNamara (JB), 2:31.37; 200 dash – 1. Alex Konneker (N), 27.6; 2. Julie Landin (N), 28.0; 3. Schnabel (NF), 28.3; 3,200 meters – 1. Laura Simons (NF), 12:44.21; 2. Michelle Brennen (N), 12:58.36; 3. Laurette Hammil (JB), 13:00.97; 4x400 relay – 1. Newtown (Remy Ball, Sadie Ball, Ciara Simek, Alex Konneker), 4:20; 2. Joel Barlow, 4:29; 3. New Milford, 4:32.5.

Field Events

Javelin – 1. Siobhan Cooper (N), 95-9; 2. Brooke Nichols (JB), 94-8; 3. Calla McNamara (JB), 77-9; Shot put – 1. Siobhan Cooper (N), 29-9.5; 2. Brooke Nichols (JB), 29-1; 3. Malay (NF), 27-0; Discus – 1. Jess Cosgrove (N), 102-11; 2. Brooke Nichols (JB), 88-2; 3. Dana Taylor (N), 84-2; High jump – 1. Jacky Curran (N), 4-8; 2. (tie) Emily Ahlberg (JB), 4-6; Laura Simons (NF), 4-6; Alex Helmes (NF), 4-6; Quincey Blanchard (N), 4-6; Long jump – 1. Ciara Simek (N), 14-6; 2. (tie) Laura Czernik (JB), 14-0; Schnabel (NF), 14-0; Triple jump – 1. Jacky Curran (N), 31-2.5; 2. Liz LaMontagne (NM), 29-11; 3. Ciara Simek (N), 29-5.75; Pole vault – 1. Alexa Owen (JB), 8-6; 2. Leah Herity (N), 7-6; 3. Alex Helmes (NF), 6-6.

BOYS LACROSSE

Newtown 17, Bethel 0; Norwalk 10, Newtown 9

Sure, it was a loss. But may have been their best performance of the year.

Down 9-4 early in the fourth period, the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team rallied with four unanswered goals to pull within one of visiting Norwalk – meanwhile, electrifying a small, but enthusiastic crowd that had no doubt resigned itself to counting off the final 12 minutes of another loss.

It started with a goal by Jeff Bell and continued just moments later with a goal by Travis Speer (his third of the night). With 6:04 left, Brendan O’Connor scored off an assist from Grant Speer and just 38 seconds later Bell was back at it with his third goal of the night.

And just like that, the Nighthawks had narrowed the Norwalk lead to 9-8.

But the rally fell short. With 3:23 left to play, Norwalk scored a goal that gave it enough cushion to survive with the win and render Grant Speer’s goal (his first of the game to go along with three assists) at the final horn immaterial.

Oh, the ‘Hawks – suffering through a rash of injuries and a subsequently disappointing season – played extremely well at the start. A tough defensive effort led by Marc Ingerman, Alex Read, Bob Pattison and goaltender Drew Harmata (with a couple of key saves) had the game knotted at 0-0 until Colin Prescott put Norwalk on top, 1-0, with just 17.8 seconds left in the first period.

Travis Speer, on a feed from his brother Grant, knotted the scored early in the second period and while Norwalk took the lead back, the ‘Hawks quickly answered on a goal by Bell to tie the score at 2-2. But the locals suffered a lapse and Norwalk took advantage to score three consecutive goals and take a 5-2 lead late in the first half.

O’Connor notched a goal, though, with 1:19 left on a feed from Grant Speer to pull the ‘Hawks to within two.

It seemed, then, that the ‘Hawks had exhausted their strong effort and Norwalk three times in the third period and once early in the fourth to take a 9-4 lead. The locals’ fourth goal came with 1:26 left in the third when Zach D’Agostino intercepted a clearing pass and dumped the ball over the Norwalk goaltender to Travis Speer, who had an open cage for an easy goal.

As tough a time as the ‘Hawks have had scoring goals, a five-goal deficit seemed too much. But with a great rally the locals nearly pulled it off.

The ‘Hawks had a much easier time last Saturday when they blanked Bethel, 17-0. Grant Speer scored five goals and Travis Speer added three while Bell, John Collins and Ingerman scored two apiece. D’Agostino, O’Connor and Dan Gindraux scored one goal apiece. Travis Speer, Grant Speer, Gindraux, Ingerman and Read all registered assists and Harmata made four saves.

The ‘Hawks are 3-10 overall and will square off against a couple of brutal opponents – Brien McMahon on Thursday and Staples on Saturday. They will close out the regular season on May 17 against New Fairfield and then play Joel Barlow on Tuesday, May 31, in the South-West Conference Division I championship game.

Leading Scorers

Grant Speer (25-9-34), Jeff Bell (16-6-22), Zach D’Agostino (7-5-12), Travis Speer (7-2-9), Brendan O’Connor (5-2-7), Brendan Martin (3-2-5), Tyler Law (3-1-4), Dan Gindraux (4-0-4), Marc Ingerman (2-1-3), Will Mahony (2-0-2), John Collins (2-0-2), Kevin Regan (2-0-2), Scott Perry (0-2-2), Bob Pattison (1-0-1), Alex Read (0-1-1).

Newtown 17, Bethel 4

GOALS: Newtown – Grant Speer 5, Travis Speer 3, Jeff Bell 2, John Collins 2, Marc Ingerman 2, Zach D’Agostino, Brendan O’Connor, Dan Gindraux. ASSISTS: Newtown – Travis Speer, Grant Speer, Dan Gindraux, Marc Ingerman, Alex Read. SAVES: Newtown – Drew Harmata 4; Bethel – Maliswski 14.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Newtown 18, Pomperaug 7; Newtown 13, Brookfield 7

Did the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team qualify for the South-West Conference Division I championship game?

That question wasn’t answered in Brookfield, where the Lady Nighthawks pounded the Lady Bobcats 13-7.

It was answered about 11 miles in New Fairfield where Joel Barlow defeated the Lady Rebels, 11-8, and secured the No. 1 seed in the D-I title game. And with Newtown owning a tiebreaker over Masuk, the Lady Nighthawks moved into the No. 2 spot.

Barlow and Newtown will square off Tuesday, May 31, for the championship.

But while all of that was playing out, the ‘Hawks were busy cruising past the ‘Cats. Rachel Maley scored a career-high seven goals and dished off two assists while Casey Frobey and Kate Sudbey popped in two goals apiece while assisting on another.

Karli Beitel and Libby Feltch also scored with Beitel chipping in four assists.

Last Thursday, the locals pounded Pomperaug, 18-7, as Beitel, Maley and Frobey ran roughshod over the Lady Panthers’ defense. Beitel scored six goals, Maley added five and Frobey contributed four. Kim Solheim, Moira Collier and Erica Vacaro also scored while Jen Greenwood notched three assists.

Kerrie Canavan made eight saves for the win.

The ‘Hawks hosted Notre Dame on Thursday and will host New Milford on Saturday to close out the regular season.

Meanwhile, the junior varsity team improved to 9-1 with shutouts over New Fairfield (8-0) and Pomperaug (9-0). Goaltender Lisa Isabella recorded both shutouts.

Canavan On N.E. Team

Kerrie Canavan earned a spot on the New England girls’ lacrosse team participating in the National Tournament in Annapolis, Maryland during the Memorial Day weekend. Tryouts were held in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and two goalies were selected from Connecticut – one from Wilton and Newtown’s own KC.

Leading Scorers

Karli Beitel (39-20-59), Rachel Maley (30-11-41), Meg Regnery (27-7-34), Casey Frobey (14-7-21), Moira Collier (13-6-19), Kim Solheim (11-0-11), Kate Sudbey (6-4-10), Jen Greenwood (3-5-8), Libby Feltch (7-1-8), Brianna Berg (3-1-4), Erica Vacaro (3-0-3), Katie McNulty (3-0-3), Courtney Gleason (2-0-2), Lauren Clark (0-1-1).

Newtown 18, Pomperaug 7

GOALS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 6, Rachael Maley 5, Casey Frobey 4, Kimberly Solheim, Moira Collier, Erica Vacaro; Pomperaug – Jaime Orrico 4, Jackie Bivona 2, Kelsey Goode. ASSISTS: Newtown – Jen Greenwood 3, Frobey, Maley, Collier; Pomperaug – Jen Zukowski. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 8; Pomperaug – Amy Dunn 19.

Newtown 13, Brookfield 7

GOALS: Newtown – Rachel Maley 7, Casey Frobey 2, Kate Sudbey 2, Karli Beitel, Libby Feltch; Brookfield – Rodgers 4, Prizio, Kruczkiewicz, Wendel. ASSISTS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 4, Rachel Maley 2, Libby Feltch, Casey Frobey, Kate Sudbey, Jen Greenwood; Brookfield – Coyle 2, Prizio, Kruckiewicz. SAVES: Newtown – Kerrie Canavan 12; Brookfield – DeStefano 8.

GIRLS TENNIS

Joel Barlow 5, Newtown 2; Newtown 4, Pomperaug 3; Newtown 5, Lauralton Hall 2

It was the toughest stretch of the season and the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team survived it.

Oh, sure, the Lady Nighthawks dropped their first match of the season – a 5-2 decision to Joel Barlow – but with a tight finish over Pomperaug (4-3) and another tight finish over Lauralton Hall (5-2) on Monday the ‘Hawks improved to 13-1 overall, 11-1 in the South-West Conference.

“The girls are finishing this year strong against our toughest rivals,” said head coach Maureen Maher. “The doubles teams for Lauralton were very strong and they were very tough matches. Our No. 2 doubles beat a Hall team that had not been beaten this year and our No. 1, 2 and 3 singles played very tough matches but pulled through in the end.”

The ‘Hawks concluded the regular season on Wednesday against Weston.

In the win over Hall, Lauren Nemeth was pressed in the second set at No. 1 singles by Abby Barbour, but still swept 6-0, 6-4. Tara Ryan had an even tougher match at No. 2 singles against Kat Patrikios, but survived a 7-5, 6-1 battle. And Michelle Serock had a tougher battle still at No. 3 singles, easing past Megan O’Connor 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Ashley Gabor and Kristene Salbu earned a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 doubles over Jen Shrader and Lindsey Trapp while Christina Elsenhans and Jenna Moser had to work hard for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Katie O’Connell and Katherine Peck at No. 3 doubles.

Last week, in harsh winds, the ‘Hawks – missing two key players, Tanner and Gabor – had to restructure their lineup and managed to slip out of Southbury with a 4-3 win. The three doubles tandems took care of business as Serock earned the only singles win of the day, a 6-4, 6-4 decision over Caitlyn Walker.

Emily Fields and Sarah Salbu earned a 6-2, 6-3 decision over Julanne Rowland and Nicole Salerno at No. 1; Kristene Salbu and Moser earned a 6-4, 6-2 win over Liz Dunbar and Privanka Shetty at No. 2; and Katie Serock and Lauren DeFelice earned a 6-3, 7-5 win over Katelyn Cusano and Kris Huber at No. 3.

“The team needed this win and pulled together to get it,” said coach Maher. “I had to put my No. 4 singles player, Sarah Salbu, in my No. 1 doubles spot and she played great and Jenna Moser moved up to the No. 2 doubles spot and also played incredible. All our girls were very proud of themselves and had every reason to be.”

The ‘Hawks pulled out those two wins after finally being bested this season. After winning their first 11 matches, the locals dropped a 5-2 decision to power Joel Barlow last Wednesday. Tanner and Fields captured a 6-4, 6-1 win over Brittany Shea and Chelsea Edwards at No. 1 doubles while Gabor and Kristene Salbu earned a 1-6, 7-5, 7-5 win over Christine Shawah and Sara Russo at No. 2 doubles.

“I am so proud of my doubles players,” said coach Maher. “They had such long matches and hung in there. Our No. 2 battled it out and won in the end after a long three-hour match and our No. 1 played a great, exciting match and took Barlow down in two straight sets. These girls here about how great Barlow is all year and we played great against them.”

Newtown 5, Lauralton Hall 2

SINGLES: Lauren Nemeth (N) def Abby Barbour 6-0 6-4; Tara Ryan (N) def Kat Patrikios 7-5, 6-1; Michelle Serock (N) def Megan O’Connor 6-4, 7-6 (7-2); Catherine Hines (LH) def Sarah Salbu 1-6, 1-6. DOUBLES: Katherine Giambalvo/Tess Hanley (LH) def Jill Tanner/Emily Fields 1-6, 4-6; Ashley Gabor/Kristene Salbu (N) def Jen Shrader/Lindsey Trapp 6-3, 6-4; Christina Elsenhans/Jenna Moser (N) def Katie O’Connell/Katherine Peck 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Newtown 4, Pomperaug 3

SINGLES: Rachel Sepelak (P) def. Lauren Nemeth 5-7, 6-1, 6-2; Kaitlynn Cates (P) def. Tara Ryan 6-0, 6-1; Michelle Serock (N) def. Caitlyn Walker 6-4, 6-4; Emily Broderick (P) def. Veronica Parsloe 6-3, 6-2. DOUBLES: Emily Fields/Sarah Salbu (N) def. Julanne Rowland/ Nicole Salerno 6-2, 6-3; Kristene Salbu/Jenna Moser (N) def. Liz Dunbar/Priyanka Shetty 6-4, 6-2; Katie Serock/Lauren DeFelice (N) def. Katelyn Cusano/ Kris Huber 6-3, 7-5.

Joel Barlow 5, Newtown 2

SINGLES: Lauren Holzberg (B) def. Lauren Nemeth 6-0, 6-1, Jennifer Holzberg (B) def. Tara Ryan 6-2, 6-0, Meredith Earley (B) def. Michelle Serock 6-1, 6-0, Jill Mackey (B) def. Sarah Salbu 6-0, 6-2. DOUBLES: Jill Tanner/Emily Fields (N) def. Brittany Shea/Chelsea Edwards 6-4, 6-1, Ashley Gabor/Kristene Salbu (N) def. Christine Shawah/Sara Russo 1-6, 7-5, 7-5, Kristen Hanczor/Randa Dreznick (B) def. Jenna Moser/Katie Serock 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).

GOLF

Newtown 159, Bethel 171; Masuk 169, Newtown 185

There may be a mathematical possibility that the Newtown High School could qualify for the South-West Conference tournament as a team, but the odds are long.

After losing to Masuk last week at Whitney Farms in Monroe and defeating Bethel on Monday at the Newtown Country Club, the Nighthawks are 5-7 overall, 5-4 in the South-West Conference and absolutely need to finish strong against Stratford (on Thursday) and Pomperaug (next Tuesday).

In the loss to Masuk, Dave McLaughlin carded a 6-over par 42 to lead the Nighthawks but the Panthers received a 4-over 40 from Brett Jackson and rounds of 5-over 41 from Mike Stricoff and Nick Esposito to capture the win.

In the win over Bethel, McLaughlin fired a 4-over par 37 and narrowly edged Adam Cohen (38) and Brendan O’Grady (39) for medallist honors. JP McDade added a 7-over 40 as Jon Cain and Jake Maher chipped in with rounds of 8-over 41.

The SWC tournament will conclude the season on Wednesday, June 1, at the Ridgewood Country Club in Danbury.

Newtown 159, Bethel 171

NEWTOWN (159): Dave McLaughlin 37, JP McDade 40, Jon Cain 41, Jake Maher 41. BETHEL (171): Adam Cohen 38, Brendan O’Grady 39, Mike Laclamito 42, Jake Miner 52. MEDALLIST: McLauglin 37. COURSE: Newtown Country Club (par 33).

Masuk 169, Newtown 185

MASUK (16): Brett Jackson 40, Mike Stricoft 41, Nick Esposito 41, Kyle Mason 47. NEWTOWN (185): Dave McLaughin 42, Steve Oberstadt 46, Billy McCann 47, Nick Moser 50. MEDALLIST: Jackson 40. COURSE: Whitney Farms Golf Course (par 36).

SOFTBALL

Bunnell 1, Newtown 0; Lauralton Hall 5, Newtown 2; Brookfield 1, Newtown 0

They took a 15-1 Bunnell team to 11 innings. They scored the first runs Lauralton Hall allowed all season. They limited a 13-4 Brookfield team to two hits and one run.

But as well as they played this past week, the Newtown High School softball team still suffered three losses – extending its losing streak to four games and dropping its record to 10-8 overall and 8-4 in the South-West Conference.

In the loss to Bunnell, Katelyn Farrell singled in Mallory Nowack in the top of the 11th for the only run of the game. Carlie Minichino of Bunnell and Lisa Morgan of Newtown got locked up in a classic pitcher’s duel, walking just three batters between them and combining for 23 strikeouts.

Sam Ciaccia collected a pair of hits for the Lady Nighthawks.

In the loss to Lauralton Hall, the ‘Hawks scored their first run in the top of the second inning when Morgan ripped a triple through the hole at short and past the leftfielder. It was the first run the Lady Crusaders had allowed this season and it was followed by another run (driven in by Ashley Ferris) in the top of the third.

The Crusaders answered both of those runs with runs of their own and through four-and-a-half innings the score was tied at 2-2. The locals were playing tough defense and Morgan was sharp, but the ‘Hawks could hold off the undefeated Crusaders only so long.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Crusaders scored three times – thanks in large part to a three-run triple by Jessica Horvath (her second triple of the game) – to take a 5-2 lead. Lauralton Hall pitcher Kim Ovittore finished off the ‘Hawks, allowing only four hits while striking out 10 batters.

On Monday, the Bobcats collected just two hits off Morgan but they came back-to-back in the fourth inning – the first by Taylor Schockley and the second by Christina Preville – and produced the only run of the game.

The locals banged out six hits, one a double by Christina Wolf.

Morgan walked two and struck out eight, bringing her career strikeout total to 642. The senior pitcher was expected to surpass the school record of 647 (set by Cathy Byrne) on Wednesday afternoon in a South-West Conference matchup with Stratford.

More important is the ‘Hawks placement in the SWC and CIAC Class L state tournaments and so the locals are looking for a strong finish in their final two games. After Stratford, the ‘Hawks closed out the regular season on Thursday in Monroe against rival Masuk.

Bunnell 1, Newtown 0

BATTERIES: Bunnell – Carlie Minichino and Meghan Lance; Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris. WP: Minichino (13-1). LP: Morgan (10-6). SO: Minichino 12, Morgan 11. BB: Minichino; Morgan 2. 2B: Mallory Nowack (B). RBI: Bunnell – Katelyn Farrell.

Lauralton Hall 5, Newtown 2

BATTERIES: Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris; Lauralton Hall – Kim Ovittore and Tory Pennick. WP: Ovittore (17-0). LP: Morgan (10-7). SO: Morgan 4, Ovittore 10. BB: Morgan 2. 2B: Mary Rose Sheehy (LH). 3B: Jessica Horvath (LH) 2, Morgan (N). RBI: Newtown – Morgan, Ferris; Lauralton Hall – Horvath 3, Sheehy.

Brookfield 1, Newtown 0

BATTERIES: Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris; Brookfield – Ashley Castellano and Caitlin Smith. WP: Castellano (13-4). LP: Morgan (10-8). SO: Morgan 8, Castellano 8. BB: Morgan 2, Castellano 1. 2B: Christina Wolf (N). RBI: Brookfield – Christina Preville.

BOYS TENNIS

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 2; Joel Barlow 7, Newtown 0

If the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team had any hopes of qualifying for the South-West Conference team tournament, they were dashed this week in losses to Pomperaug and Joel Barlow.

“We improved considerably over our 7-0 loss to Pomperaug in a season-opening, non-league match,” said head coach Marty Margulies. “Indeed, we came close to pulling out the match and with our full complement of players – first doubles player Jim Wilkins was away on a field trip – might have done so.”

Chris Meier defeated Mike Beatty 7-5, 6-2 at No. 3 singles and Max Margulies defeated Jeff Pope 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles for the Nighthawks’ only wins of the afternoon against Pomperaug. But the No.1 and No. 2 doubles teams put together strong efforts as Mike Coster and Mario Roehrs dropped a 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-6) decision to Brian Ganjej and Matt Walker while Baj Ahtchi and Dave Wilkins dropped a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 decision to Alex Alfano and Ben Horn.

“Even without Jim,” said coach Margulies, “the first and second doubles contests were cliffhangers, and all four boys did very well considering that they were playing with unfamiliar partners. Chris played his best tennis of the year in winning his third singles match; Max dominated his opponent at fourth singles; and Drew Adamek made SWC stand-out Elie Bilmes work hard for every point.”

With just one match remaining – against undefeated Weston – the Nighthawks seem poised to finish 7-7 overall, 7-5 in the South-West Conference. It won’t be good enough to reach the team playoffs, but Adamek and the No. 1 doubles team of Mike Coster and Jim Wilkins seem certain to make the individual tournament.

Margulies, Chris Martin and Chris Meier also have a shot.

“Considering the youth and inexperience of the team,” said coach Margulies, “especially below the second doubles level, I think we have had a very successful season.”

In a 7-0 loss to Barlow last week, the sweep proved to be a little misleading. While the Falcons dominated the doubles portion of the match, the singles matches could have gone either way as Adamek dropped a 6-3, 6-4 decision to Charles Feldman at No. 1 singles; Chris Martin dropped a 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 decision to Luke Sproviero at No. 2 singles; Meier dropped a 7-5, 6-4 decision to Joe Muscolino at No. 3 singles; and Margulies dropped a 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 decision to Zack Rosenfeld at No. 4 singles.

Newtown 5, Pomperaug 2

SINGLES: Elie Bilmes (P) def Drew Adamek 6-1, 6-0; Connor McNeish (P) def Chris Martin 6-1, 6-1; Chris Meier (N) def Mike Beatty 7-5, 6-2; Max Margulies (N) def Jeff Pope 6-1, 6-1. DOUBLES: Brian Ganjej/Matt Walker (P) def Mike Coster/Mario Roehrs 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-6); Alex Alfano/Ben Horn (P) def Baj Ahtchi/Dave Wilkins 7-6 (7-4), 6-3; Ryan Suter/Pat Reagan (P) def Ben Wicki/Evan Ritzinger 6-2, 6-0.

Joel Barlow 7, Newtown 0

SINGLES: Charles Feldman (JB) def Drew Adamek 6-3, 6-4; Luke Sproviero (JB) def Chris Martin 6-1, 5-7, 6-1; Joe Muscolino (JB) def Chris Meier 7-5, 6-4; Zack Rosenfeld (JB) def Max Margulies 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. DOUBLES: Russell Frost/Dan Klufas (JB) def Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins 6-2, 6-1; Chris Summers/Luke Montgomery (JB) def Mario Roehrs/Baj Ahtchi 6-2, 6-0; Dan Burger/Will Broshes (JB) def Shane McCarthy/Kyle Kearney 6-2, 6-1.

BASEBALL

Bunnell 4, Newtown 3; Newtown 9, Joel Barlow 4; Pomperaug 12, Newtown 0; Brookfield 8, Newtown 7

While leaving Connecticut last Friday following a 9-4 win over Joel Barlow, the Newtown High School baseball team was right in the thick of the South-West Conference playoff race.

But after losses to Pomperaug (on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York) on Saturday and Brookfield (at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport) on Monday, the Nighthawks find themselves on the outside looking in.

Wins over Stratford on Monday and Masuk on Thursday could change things a lot, but right now it’s time to bite those nails.

The Nighthawks dropped a 4-3 decision to Bunnell last Wednesday – a far cry from the 7-0 loss the locals suffered back on April 28.

Despite giving up three runs in the first inning, junior pitcher Steve Marks toughed out a solid, complete game. With the Bulldogs on top 4-0, the ‘Hawks rallied for three runs in the bottom of the third on the strength of a two-run home run by Nick Magoulas and a run-scoring single by Steve Vichiola.

Pete Oggeri and Seth Hull both doubled in the game, but the ‘Hawks could do no further damage against Bunnell pitcher Brett Shulick.

The ‘Hawks rebounded from the loss with a 9-4 win over Joel Barlow last Friday. Mike Tibbetts was 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI and Joe DeVellis had three singles and three runs scored. Magoulas clubbed a grounds-rule double and knocked in a pair of runs while Oggeri doubled in a run.

Junior pitcher Alex Dolan put together his best performance of the year, scattering seven hits, walking two and striking out one in a complete-game effort. He raised his personal record to 2-2.

It was a good start to a weekend that saw Newtown and Pomperaug travel together to Cooperstown, New York, for a game at Doubleday Field. It did not work out so well for the locals, however, as they committed nine errors and dropped a 12-0 decision.

They played much better on Monday at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, but still suffered an 8-7 loss to Brookfield in extra innings.

Kade Treibt rapped a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth to lift the Bobcats to the win and drop the ‘Hawks to 10-8 overall and 4-6 in the SWC.

The ‘Hawks did well to force extra frames, rallying for four runs in the top of the seventh to tie the game at 7-7.

Oggeri and Brian Shimko drove in two runs apiece while Magoulas, Tibbetts and Matt Nicoll drove in one run apiece. Nicoll, Shimko and Oggeri all doubled while Vichiola belted a triple to lead a 15-hit, Newtown attack.

Bunnell 4, Newtown 3

BATTERIES: Bunnell – Brett Shulick and George Lisi; Newtown – Steve Marks and Pete Oggeri. WP: Shulick (7-0). LP: Marks (6-2). SO: Shulick 2, Marks 2. BB: Shulick 4, Marks 4. 2B: Lisi (B), Oggeri (N), Seth Hull (N). 3B: Lisi (B). HR: Nick Magoulas (N). RBI: Bunnell – Lisi 3, Steve Smith; Newtown – Magoulas 2, Steve Vichiola.

Newtown 9, Joel Barlow 4

BATTERIES: Newtown – Alex Dolan and Pete Oggeri; Joel Barlow - Jake Raiff, Dave Unger (3), Mario Westernberg (5) and Scott Heller. WP: Dolan (2-2). SO: Dolan 1, Raiff 1. BB: Dolan 2, Raiff 5, Unger 2, Westernberg 2. 2B: Mike Tibbetts (N) 2, Nick Magoulas (N), Pete Oggeri (N). RBI: Newtown – Tibbetts 4, Magoulas 2, Oggeri; Joel Barlow – Dave Shawah 2, Ricky Muir.

Brookfield 8, Newtown 7

BATTERIES: Newtown – Mike Tibbetts, Alex Dolan (4), Dave Marcucilli (5), Steve Marks (7) and Pete Oggeri; Brookfield – John McGuinness, Chris Val (5), Jack Mitten (7), Val (7) and Mike Palo. WP: Val (2-1). LP: Marks (6-4). SO: Val 4, Tibbetts 2, Dolan 2, McGuinness 1. BB: Val 3, Tibbetts 3, Dolan 2, McGuinness, Mitten, Marks. 2B: Matt Nicoll (N), Brian Shimko (N), Oggeri (N), Palo (B). 3B: Steve Vichiola (N), Oggeri (N). HR: Palo (B). RBI: Newtown – Oggeri 2, Shimko 2, Nick Magoulas, Tibbetts, Nicoll; Brookfield – Brett Balzi 2, Palo 2, Dan Volz, Kade Treibt, Billy Thompson.

BOYS TRACK

Newtown 107, Joel Barlow 43; Newtown 79.6, N. Fairfield 38.3; New Milford 79.3, Newtown 70.6

With the 4x100 relay team of Ryan Davis, Nick Mentesana, Adam Drummond and Marcus Tracy setting a new school record at 44.61, the Newtown High School boys’ track team made a claim to a share of the Colonial Division title and now moves on for a crack at that South-West Conference championship.

“I think it’s between us, Weston and New Milford,” said head coach Ed Obloj. “But Weston beat us a little better than New Milford did and New Milford matches up well against us.”

Despite the lopsidedness of the scores on Monday afternoon, Brian Miles ran a strong 52.9 in the 400-meter dash to capture the only individual first-place finish for Newtown.

Davis (100- and 200-meter dashes), Pete Dittmar (800 and 1,600 meters), Eric MacKnight (3,200 meters), Jeff Lipnick (triple jump), Ryan Peters (javelin) and Tyler von Oy (shot put all earned second-place finishes.

The locals took first in the 4x400 relay and finished second to New Milford in the 4x800 relay.

The Nighthawks finished the regular season at 10-2. Their only other loss came back on April 25, an 85.5-64.5 decision against Weston.

The SWC championship meet will be held next Monday, 4:30 pm, at Bunnell.

Leading Point Getters

Marcus Tracy (103.75), Pete Dittmar (97.75), Ryan Peters (80), Liam Cawley (77), Jeff Lipnick (76), Charlie Baldour (75), Tyler von Oy (67), Kevin Quinn (58.2), Nick Mentesana (53), Brian Miles (52.25), Ryan Davies (47.83), Adam Drummond (46.05), Brian Poeltl (46), Mike Cash (43), Scott Nichols (34.25), Eric MacKnight (28.5), Chris DeRoo (27.75), Mike Nastri (26.5), Josh Tenenbaum (24), Chris Nuelle (18), and Jake Sullivan (15.25).