The American Legion 17U Admirals, comprising players from Newtown and Bethel, carried a five-game winning streak and 10-4 record into the middle of this week's action.

The Admirals began their successful ways with an 11-2 win at Waterbury on June 22. Ryan Kost had three hits and drove in two runs, and William Huegi and Joe Caruso both had two knocks and two RBI.

The Admirals jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of a June 24 visit to Oxford, and held on for a 5-3 victory.

The early run support was welcomed by starting pitcher Ken Malin.

"You don't feels as much pressure to get every out," said Malin, who allowed three runs on seven hits and fanned four batters for the win.

Stephen Spinella singled, stole a base and scored, Harrison singled and scored, and Caruso and Dylan Champagne both walked and scored in the opening frame. Harrison added an RBI double in the third inning. Harrison, Champagne and Mike Liberante all drove in runs in the win.

In a 14-2 road win over Easton on June 25, Harrison had four hits and three RBI, and Orlando Swift also drove in three runs. Huegi and Sam Grossano combined on a two-hitter with six strikeouts.

The Admirals blanked Danbury 4-0 on June 26. Swift led the way with a five-hit effort and ten strikeouts. Kost had two hits and two RBI.

In a 10-0 triumph over Danbury the next day, Champagne, Kost and Spinella combined for the shutout, and the Admirals banged out 18 hits. Stefano Dimeglio led the way with three hits, and Malin had two hits and four driven in. Swift, Caruso, Kost, Spinella, Harry Eppers and James Heran all added a pair of base hits.

"We work together as a team to get every win," Malin said.

"We've got eight kids who can throw strikes. We've hit the ball very well," said Manager Tom Harrison, adding that the only weakness he's seen, at times, has been in the field. "If we can clean that up we'll be pretty tough."

Swift and Harrison are the team's hitting leaders, and Huegi helps manufacture runs. "He has a knack for getting on base for us and scoring a ton of runs," Harrison said.

"We're having a good year - off to a good start. When we hit the ball well we tend to win games," Spinella said.