Newtown High School's softball team won the South-West Conference a year ago, and expectations are high again this spring.

"You don't win it very often. It's tough to win the last game of the season in your league. It's so difficult to grasp that," Newtown Coach Bob Guererra acknowledges.

Winning it twice in a row is all the more challenging.

"No matter what league you play in, it's hard to do," he said.

But, all of this considered, Guererra wants to see his team, which returns a wealth of talent and experience, feed off of last year's run to the top.

"They're going to build on that. They had a taste of it," Guererra anticipates. "I think having the experience of being there before helps to carry you there. Let's do it again - it's fun."

A year ago, following a 16-4 regular campaign, Newtown earned the Class LL state tourney's sixth seed and advanced to the quarterfinals before losing a 3-2 nail-biter to No. 3 Darien. Guererra would like to see his lineup go deep in the state bracket once again as well.

During last year's so called start to spring, with snow on the ground throughout preseason, the Nighthawks managed just one scrimmage - indoors, no less, at the Danbury Sports Dome. This regular campaign stands to get off to a smoother start with NHS playing an overflowing handful of scrimmages (outdoors) this time around.

"We'll hit the ground running," Guererra said.

"It helps us - it helps everybody," the coach adds. "It will bring out the best in all the teams too.

"Repetitions breed confidence - that's hitting and fielding, and your mental approach," Guererra said. "It's all about preparation."

Newtown's captains are All State third baseman Katie Laaksonen, four-year pitcher Lauren Wilcox, and center fielder/leadoff hitter Haley Ryan.

A newcomer who is also a returnee is senior Mali Klorczyk, an infielder/outfielder who focused on basketball last spring and returns to the softball field for her first game action since her sophomore season.

"She's back and we're so glad to have her back," Guererra said.

Especially given the unexpected loss of first baseman and strong hitter Megan Goyda, who suffered a preseason knee injury and will be lost for the season, the coach said.

The Nighthawks also have vacated spots up the middle of the playing field following the graduation of their catcher, shortstop, and one of the throwers from the pitcher's circle.

"We do have some question marks," said Guererra, adding that he is still very optimistic given what the players bring to the table - on and off the field.

"I have a lot of confidence in this group. We have some great leaders. The captains are all dedicated and supportive of each other," he said. "I think we're going to have good karma. We're going to have a positive outlook."

Returnees are infielders/outfielders Emily Bell, Kamdyn Moroney, and Jill Lasorsa, along with outfielder/catcher Mackenzie Macchiarulo - all juniors - and catcher/infielder Tess Mubarek and pitcher/infielder Sara Kennedy, both sophomores. Kennedy earned All South-West Conference accolades as freshman.

Shannon Cheh, Sydney Flint, and Ali Nuzzo are newcomers.

"I really do feel we have a tremendous core and we really do have a good shot," Guererra said. "We're strong in the circle, we're strong in the field, and we have a nice-hitting lineup - all the parts are there."

Of course just because Newtown has all of the pieces in place to make a run to the pinnacle once again doesn't mean it will be easy, if it does happen.

"It's not about who has the best team - it's about who has the best game," the coach said. "I do think we have a nice team."

Others in the conference likely feel the same way, Guererra expects. After all, the Hawks are the defending champs.

Tough teams are Redding's Joel Barlow, whom Newtown defeated in last year's SWC championship game, Pomperaug of Southbury, which defeated Newtown twice a year ago, and perennially tough Masuk of Monroe. Challenging out-of-conference competition will come from Darien, which knocked Newtown out of the state playoffs, and fellow FCIAC schools Darien, Trumbull, and St Joseph of Trumbull.

The start to the season looks to be especially tough. It's slated to begin with a visit to St Joes on Monday, April 4, at 3:45 pm, with the home opener two days later. Newtown, Mother Nature permitting, will play back-to-back home contests Wednesday, April 6, and Thursday, April 7, as Trumbull and Darien visit for 4:15 pm matchups.

"We don't have any easy games," Guererra said. "You've got to bring your 'A' game because everybody else is going to play their best. One game at a time. We'll see how it plays out."