The Newtown Wolfpack 11/60 team won the Connecticut State Tournament on July 21, earning a place in the New England Regional Tournament beginning August 1 in West Warwick, R.I.

Newtown started its pool play on July 18, with a come-from-behind victory over Oxford. Newtown was the host team for the 11/60 CT State Pool Play, with all four games (including New Milford vs Oxford on July 19) taking place at Glander Field 2.

Trailing 7-1 after three innings in Game 1, Newtown started chipping away at the lead and ultimately pulled out a dramatic 12-9 victory.

Jake Hossler started on the mound and went the first three innings. Connor Smith came on in relief and pitched the final three innings, surrendering only two earned runs to pick up the win.

Stephen Mayer went 3-3 with 3 runs scored and two RBIs to pace the offense.  Drew Poseno went 2 for 4, including two doubles, with two runs and two RBIs, and Brandon Akbas delivered a bases clearing double to plate three runs.

Connor Faxon laced a solid single to drive in two runs while Jake Hossler, Ryan Verdi, and Sean O’Sullivan each scored two runs.

Another Uphill Battle

Newtown faced New Milford in game two on July 20 , looking to secure a spot in the championship game but once again faced an uphill battle.

New Milford jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after one inning but Newtown bounced back and tied the game at 2 in the top of the second inning. After retiring the side in order in the bottom of the second, Newtown came to bat and put on an offensive display. Newtown batted around three times, exploding for 17 runs on 15 hits.

Connor Smith went 3-3 with three RBIs, and Jake Hossler went 3-4 with three runs and two RBIs.

Jackson Khan tacked on three hits and drove in two runs, and Dan DeBartolomeo had a big game going 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs.

Sean O’Sullivan, Ryan Verdi, Zach Kugler, and Connor Faxon each collected two hits in the offensive explosion.  Jackson Khan pitched 3 2/3 innings, one out short of a complete game.  Connor Faxon came on in relief to get the final out.

Two Days For The Championship

On July 21, the championship game found Newtown once again squared off against New Milford, with the winner advancing to Rhode Island. Just like the two previous games, Newtown fell behind early, surrendering three runs in the top of the first inning.

Newtown was retired in order in the bottom of the first but Jake Hossler took control on the mound in the second, induced an inning-ending double play to escape unscathed.

Great defensive play turned in by Matt Sortino seemed to provide the needed spark for the Wolfpack.

Stephen Mayer laced a single to centerfield in the bottom of the frame and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Brandon Akbas smashed a two-out, two-strike pitch to the fence for an RBI double, putting Newtown on the board.

The game was halted due to weather and picked up the next day with the score 3-1.  Hossler once again took the mound and continued his dominance.  He retired the side in order and Newtown came to bat with a newfound energy.

Jackson Khan got the rally going with a one out walk. Sean O’Sullivan followed him with a line drive to right, allowing Khan to get to third. Drew Poseno delivered an RBI groundout to make the score 3-2.

Down to their  final out in the inning, Ryan Verdi kept the rally alive with an RBI single to tie the game. Stephen Mayer walked and Jake Hossler singled to load the bases for Matt Sortino. Sortino delivered an RBI infield single that was followed by a throwing error that plated two more runs.

With a 6-3 lead to work with, Hossler pounded the strike zone, spotting his fastball and working in a devastating changeup.

Sean O’Sullivan led off the bottom of the fourth with a standup triple and was plated by Drew Poseno to complete the scoring. New Milford was unable to mount any serious threat and the Wolfpack celebrated the State Championship after recording the final out.

Sean O’Sullivan went 2 for 3 with a triple and two runs. Drew Poseno went 1 for 3 with two RBIs, and Brandon Akbas went 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs.

Jackson Khan, Ryan Verdi, Stephen Mayer, Jake Hossler, and Matt Sortino each collected a hit in the win.  The Newtown defense was outstanding, recording 15 outs in the field.