The Newtown 9U Blue Hawks, coming off state and regional championships, have advanced to the Cal Ripken World Series in Ocala, Fla.

Newtown won the State title in early July, sending them to the Cal Ripken New England Regionals where eight teams from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Connecticut all competed for the title. The tournament started with pool play to eliminate two teams before bracket single-elimination started.

Newtown’s first regional game was against state champion Lowell, Mass. A walkoff left the Hawks on the wrong end of an 8-7 defeat to Lowell. The game was tied at seven in the bottom of the seventh, when Lowell singled home the decisive run. Austin Luczak led things off on the bump for Newtown. Jacob Christos, Kolby Conklin, and Felipe Costa entered from the bullpen pitching one inning each. Luczak, Christopher Fairbairn, and Hudson Levy all collected hits and Christopher Evans helped with two RBI.

Things started to pick up for the Hawks in the second game, with a 4-2 win over Tiverton, R.I. Costa started the game for the Hawks on the mound before Conklin and Luczak came in for relief. Evans, Costa, Conklin, and Braxton Kuzma all had hits helping with the four runs scored. The Hawks took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Evans singled, allowing a run to score.

In the third pool play game the Hawks met with Dennis/Yarmouth, Mass. Evans started on the mound going two innings, striking out three and walking nine. Levy, Luczak, and Kuzma all came in from the bullpen during the game. Defense was strong as Newtown did not commit a single error in the field. Luczak, Evans, Fairbairn, Costa, Garvin, Owen Leighton, Jackson Christos, and Kuzma all had hits. The Hawks outhit Dennis/Yarmouth 8-7 but it wasn’t enough in this close game with a 6-5 loss.

The Hawks secured the third seed in their pool, advancing them to the single-elimination bracket play. They needed to win the next three games to be champions. The Hawks took on Windham (New Hampshire state champions) in the first bracket game. Costa and Conklin helped earn the win combining to shut out the New Hampshire champs 12-0 in four innings to advance to the semifinals. Newtown’s pitchers did not walk a batter and both struck out two. Fairbairn’s bat was on fire driving in four runs on two hits. One hit was a double scoring three runs in the top of the fourth. Garvin and Levy each contributed with hits that brought in one and two runs, respectively. Kuzma had a hit and scored a run. Defense was strong with no errors in the field. Evans, the catcher, didn’t allow any runs on passed balls. He also contributed by fielding a ground out to first baseman Garvin. First baseman Garvin and shortstop Luczak saw a lot of action including a few pop outs. In the final inning, Conklin struck out two batters and third baseman Fairbairn had the last out on a hard hit ball at third.

The semifinal game was against Chelmsford, Mass. (the 2022 regional champions) and prevailed 7-5 in extra innings to advance to the championship game. Luczak opened the game for the Hawks surrendering three hits and four runs (two earned) over four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and only walking two. Costa appeared in relief for Newtown letting up one run and striking out one. The Hawks tied the game in the top of the third thanks to a single by Luczak. Newtown took the lead in the top of the fifth when Garvin singled, scoring three runs, to give them the edge 5-2. Luczak and Levy had two hits and Jacob Christos, Jackson Christos, and Garvin helped with one each. Outfielders Leighton, Jacob Christos, and Levy all prevented runs with pop outs. Leonard, Kuzma, Garvin, Luczak, and catcher Jackson Christos all made great plays in the field resulting in outs. The game was tied up in the bottom of the sixth by Chelmsford. Pitcher Costa and catcher Jackson Christos caught an opponent stealing home for the second out of the inning. Third baseman Fairbairn got the last out of the inning with a groundout at third. The game went into extra innings with the score 5-5. The Hawks plated two runs in the top of the seventh with hits by Jackson Christos and Levy who made their way around the bases to score. The bottom of the seventh was a nail-biter. First baseman Garvin got the first out with a pop out. The final two outs were a double play. Shortstop Luzcak caught a fly ball to left field, spun, and threw to second baseman Leonard for the final out.

The Championship came down to the Hawks and Dennis/Yarmouth, which had not lost a game during pool or bracket play. Newtown won the game convincingly, 9-2. Conklin started the game for Newtown giving up five hits and two runs over four and one-third innings, striking out three, and walking only three. Costa pitched one and two-thirds innings of scoreless ball for Newtown in relief. The Hawks were the first to get on the board in the first when Levy doubled to drive in three runs. Newtown added to the early lead in the top of the third inning when Leonard singled, scoring one run; Jackson Christos singled, scoring two runs; and an error scored one run. Luzcak and Fairbairn each collected two hits for the Hawks. Newtown didn’t commit a single error in the field and Conklin, Fairbairn, Jackson Christos, Garvin, Leonard, Luzcak, Kuzma, and Costa all contributed with outs. Jackson Christos was the catcher for all six innings. In the bottom of the sixth the defense continued to shine when shortstop Luczak made the first out. Second baseman Leonard had the second out with a pop out. Pitcher Costa ended the game when he quickly fielded a bunt and tossed to first baseman Garvin. The Blue Hawks are the 2023 New England Champions and on their way to the World Series.