CHESHIRE – It ended the way it began.

With the hope of adding one more accolade to the 2003 season, the 10-and-under Newtown Hawks began the Central Valley Fastpitch League playoffs in Cheshire with a loss to the Stratford Breakers. And two days later – in the semi-finals – that is how it ended.

The Hawks dropped a 15-4 decision to the Breakers on Thursday night during the round robin portion of the CVFL tournament. On Sunday, in the single-elimination round, the Hawks dropped an 18-3 decision to the Breakers to bow out of the tournament.

“I could not be happier with how our team finished the season,” said head coach Nancy Bowen. “Our hitting really came alive in the tournament. We had some unbelievable performances out of Kate (Bowen) and Rachael (Ruiz) at the plate and our defense really began to support our pitchers. We competed against some of the finest open league ASA teams in the state. Considering our girls are all from Newtown, we performed admirably and our team should be very proud.”

In the 15-4 loss to Stratford, Taylor Johnson smacked a three-run double to power the offense. Ashley Kuligowski and Bowen also singled while, on defense, Brooke Fell made an outstanding two-out catch in right; Ally Modzelewski made a nice catch on a line drive to double up a Stratford runner; and Stephanie Suhoza made two nice plays at second base. Bowen was awarded the outstanding player of the game for her pitching efforts and spectacular plays at shortstop.

In a loss to the Beacon Falls Bullets, Ruiz was 2-for-2 with an RBI double and single. Bowen was 2-for-3 with a double and three-run triple. Elias added an RBI double while Johnson and Modzelewski single. Modzelewski and Stephanie Sanchez combined on the mound, with Sanchez earned the outstanding player of the game award for her solid pitching effort. Despite the loss, it did not count against the Hawks as they played one more preliminary game than other teams in their division.

In a 5-1 win over Prospect, Bowen fired five innings of two-hit ball, striking out 15 batters. She also aided her own cause by going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Modzelewski had two hits and two runs while Ruiz smashed an RBI single. Johnson scored a run. And Modzelewski was awarded the outstanding player of the game award for her offensive excellence for the Hawks.

In an 8-5 win over Watertown, Modzelewski pitched 3 solid innings for the win while Bowen recorded the save to lead Newtown. At the plate, Bowen singled, doubled and drove in two runs while Kelly Burton, Sanchez, Johnson and Ruiz each ripped RBI singles to complete the Hawks’ offensive attack. Paige Woodhouse reached base twice for the Hawks via base on balls. Defensively, Bowen made five nice plays at shortstop and Kuligowski made a great grab at second base. Modzelewski was awarded the outstanding player of the game for her outstanding pitching performance.

In a 12-7 win over Watertown on Sunday, in single elimination, Bowen pitched a complete-game three-hitter for the win. Ruiz was 3-for-4 with three singles and two RBI while Elias (RBI) and Bowen each roped doubles. Sanchez, Burton, Fell, and Modzelewski collected singles for the Hawks. Defensively, Burton made a great catch in left field while Fell made a great play in right throwing out a runner advancing to second. Elias and Ruiz made nice plays in the field as well.

And in the 18-3 loss to Stratford, Kuligowski went 2-for-3 with an RBI run scored. Fell, Bowen and Ruiz ripped singles for Newtown. Burton laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to score Bowen from third. Despite being thrown out on an outstanding throw by the right fielder, Jackie Kissack ripped a single to right to ignite the Newtown fans. Kuligowski had an outstanding day defensively, making all three outs in the second inning (including an unassisted double play).

For the tournament, Bowen was 10-for-13 (.769 average with an .833 on-base percentage) and Ruiz was 8-for-17 (.470 average with a .526 on-base percentage). Kuligowski (.308 BA, .526 OBP) Fell (.500 BA, .714 OBP) and Burton (.333 BA, .428 OBP) contributed big at bats for the Hawks.