The Newtown Hawks 9U baseball team won the Cal Ripken State Tournament with an impressive five-game run in the double elimination bracket in New Fairfield in early July. The championship run culminated with an 8-0 win over New Canaan as the Hawks not only avenged a loss to New Canaan in last year’s state tourney but also bounced back from a defeat to New Canaan in this year’s bracket play.

Head Coach Mark Skura said that his team set the goal of winning it all back in January well before it was even close to being warm enough for the first pitch.

“All of our energy throughout the winter and spring months was designed around getting better, learning who we were as a team, and dedicating our efforts to win that title. The coaches could not be more proud of the players for buying in, putting the team above themselves individually, and fighting through adversity to accomplish this lofty goal. It takes a lot from players to coaches and especially supportive families to play at this level and I’m extremely appreciative of everyone involved,” Skura said.

With temperatures in the high 80s and up into the 90s not only did Mother Nature heat up but so, too, did the 9U Hawks thanks to strong all around play up and down the lineup, in the field, and on the pitcher’s mound.

“State tournament pool play, as well as the state tournament itself was played during some extremely hot days this year. Our pitching depth, led by Jacob Steeves, a true workhorse, and Brayden Andrews, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk was the key to our success. The boys threw strikes when it mattered most. The heat also tested starting catcher, Joey Skura, who continued to make key plays throughout the tournament and showed true leadership to the team,” Coach Skura said.

“Timely hits from Brayden and Maverick as well as big time hitting performances by Austin Rekos and Parker Esposito fueled the team. Jack Frego added to the offensive firepower with his best stretch of the year when it counted most. The 9U Hawks defense was superb, with Brayden and Chase holding down the best left side of the infield in our state. Luke Dobson, a late season call-up, slotted in seamlessly to play a really good second base. Our bench support was critical in doing everything they could to support the team, always ready to go and contribute with a key hit, pinch running assignment, and overall great attitude. Special acknowledgement to the crew of Jack Briante, Joe Dogali, and James Otis. As every coach out there knows, these boys are much more valuable than they may realize,” the coach added.

State Tournament game results are as follows:

Hawks 11, Easton/Redding 2: Brayden Andrews collected four hits in four at bats. He doubled and singled three times. The Hawks got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Andrews doubled, Maverick Levy singled, Austin Rekos grounded out, and Parker Esposito singled, each scoring one run. The Hawks added one run in the second when Andrews singled on an 0-2 count, and added two runs in the third. Luke Dobson singled on the seventh pitch of his at bat, making the score 7-0. Newtown tallied 14 hits in the game. Chase Pacuk collected two hits in three at bats. Brayden, Maverick, Chase, Joseph Skura, and Luke each stole multiple bases among 14 stolen bases in the game. Newtown’s defense was sharp and turned a double play. Jacob Steeves surrendered six hits and two runs over four innings, striking out three and walking none. Chase Pacuk tossed two innings of shutout ball in relief, striking out three, and walking none.

Hawks 5, Norwalk 0: The Hawks got on the board in the first inning. A tag up by Jack Fregoe extended the lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Jacob Steeves led Newtown with two hits in three at bats. Brayden Andrews, Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, and Chase Pacuk each drove in one run. Skura had five of the team’s nine stolen bases. Brayden Andrews began the game; the right-handed pitcher gave up three hits in five shutout innings, striking out two, and walking four. Maverick Levy tossed one inning of shutout ball, striking out one, and walking two.

Hawks 11, New Canaan 5: Joseph Skura drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Hawks. He doubled in the fourth inning to score two runs and singled in the fifth inning, driving in two more. The Hawks got on the board in the first inning and added one run in the third after Austin Rekos singled. New Canaan tied the game in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth, Newtown took the lead when Skura doubled to drive in two runs. A groundout by Levy extended the lead to 5-2. Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, Maverick Levy, and Joseph Skura each collected two hits. Chase paced Newtown Hawks 9U Blue with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating six walks for the game. Parker, Jack, Maverick, Joseph, and Jacob each stole multiple bases among 20 steals in the game. The defense turned a double play. Jacob Steeves stepped on the mound first and gave up six hits and two runs over four innings.

New Canaan 7, Hawks 4: New Canaan built a 4-0 lead in the third inning and held on. Parker Esposito, Jack Fregoe, and Austin Rekos each drove in one run. Rekos led Newtown with two hits in three at bats. Joseph Skura paced the Hawks with two walks. Austin Rekos and Jacob Steeves each stole multiple bases among the team’s eight steals.

Hawks 8, New Canaan 0 (championship): The Hawks scored five runs in the fifth inning. Austin Rekos doubled to drive in two runs, Jacob Steeves singled, scoring one run, and Jack Fregoe doubled, scoring two more. The Hawks tallied 14 hits in the game. Jack Fregoe led the way with three runs batted as the left fielder went 2-for-3. Brayden Andrews went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Hawks. Parker Esposito, Maverick Levy, Austin Rekos, and Jacob Steeves each collected multiple hits. Steeves surrendered over six innings, striking out three and walking none.

“The games were tough, with a lot of back and forth. We were stretched to the limit and forced to play the second game of a double-header against chief rival, New Canaan. After losing the first game, it would have been easy to go down to the team that defeated us last year in the same tournament. Not this year. The boys had a different destiny and took home the championship with a decisive 8-0 win to secure the state title,” Coach Skura said.

The 9U team moved on to compete in the New England Regional Tournament and has made it through pool play as one of six teams remaining and looked to continue their run of success this week.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.