By Kim J. Harmon

STAMFORD – The Newtown Hawks were soaring high last weekend after capturing their first Babe Ruth Softball State Tournament championship with a thrilling, 5-3, win over Stamford at Cove Island Park in Stamford.

The win earned them a trip to the New England Regionals in Johnston, Rhode Island.

The Hawks – who were 6-1 in the Central Valley Fastpitch League (CVFL) entering the tournament – scored all five runs in the first inning and held on for the win. Jenna Legros pitched out of a bases loaded jam, no outs, in the fifth inning to preserve the win.

“It was a really courageous performance,” said manager Nancy Bowen.

That comment, though, could apply to the rest of the girls, as well. The Hawks collected 20 hits (nine players had at least one hit) in defeating Hamden (12-2), Stamford (11-2) and Stamford again on their way to the championship.

Megan Sajovic, who received a Game MVP Medallion for her effort in the 12-2 win over Hamden, also was named the tournament Most Valuable Player for her brilliant pitching performances. She threw eight innings and struck out 18 batters along the way.

“She works hard year-round,” said Bowen, “and her effort really paid off.”

Kelley Tenney, who was 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI in the first win over Stamford, also received a Game MVP Medallion. She powered the team on offense, going 5-for-8 overall. She hit .625 and earned a .714 on-base percentage.

There were other MVPs as well – just none of them official.

Nora Lynn Shimko (SS, OF, P) made an outstanding play on a hard hit ball to short for the final out of the championship game. She also collected three hits.

Stacy Broughton, who hit .571 for the tournament, sparked the offense with a nice fake bunt/slap hit single. She finished with four hits in seven trips to the plate.

Chelsea Fay made a great second effort on a fly ball to the outfield, nailing an advancing runner at second base.

Melissa Fracker had two key hits for the Hawks, batting .400 with a .628 on-base percentage.

Marley Koschel, Annie Hull and Katie Serock all played well in the outfield.

Renee Solheim made a nice play with the bases loaded in the Stamford game, earning the final out of the 11-2 win.

Elissa Robertson was a tough, lead-off hitter with a .600 on-base percentage and was a leader behind the plate.

Kate Bowen collected a hit and played great defense at second base. Not only did she bat .33, but turned in an incredible .800 on-base percentage.

The Hawks had to win their three games in Stamford without the aid of Nicole Alberico (did not play because of a sprained ankle) and Joanna Barry (who boasts a .600 batting average in the CVFL).

In the win over Hamden that opened the tournament, the Hawks scored three runs in the first inning and two more in the second before blowing the game wide open with a seven-run explosion in the third. Robertson and Bowen each went 1-for-1 with a pair of walks to fuel the offense while Legros singled, Shimko doubled, and Broughton, Koschel, Fracker and Fay all singled.

In the 11-2 win over Stamford, the Hawks spread their offense out over a full six innings. Tenney had three hits and Broughton had two as the Hawks scored four runs in the sixth inning to coast to the finish.

In the championship, the Hawks jumped out to an early, 5-0, lead as two errors and a walk set the stage for a single by Shimko and a triple by Tenney. Broughton also singled in the inning. Stamford, though, closed the gap in the third inning with three runs – but just couldn’t get any closer.

Aside from Bowen, the team is also coached by Dave Broughton, Alan Legros and Tom Bowen.