By Kim J. Harmon

I

t was only two years ago that the Newtown High School baseball program was perched right at the edge of the abyss, with the Nighthawks contemplating a 1-19 record and trying to find something – anything at all – redeemable about the lost season.

Well, they must have found something because the following year, under new coach John Larkins, the ‘Hawks improved all the way to 8-12 and came within two victories of qualifying for the CIAC Class L state tournament.

And there is more to be done.

“This group has been together for a long time,” said coach Larkins, “and there is some good chemistry. I think the potential of this team is unlimited – it’s just a matter of how well they put it together once they cross the white line.”

The ‘Hawks will be led by one of the most devastating offensive forces in the South-West Conference, catcher Matt McCarthy, who last year hit .333 (20-of-60) with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 14 runs scored, and 20 runs batted in. And besides leading the ‘Hawks in four of those six categories (finishing second in the other two), most teams decided – wisely, it turned out – not to test McCarthy’s arm on the base paths.

“Defensively,” said coach Larkins, “there may not be a better catcher in the state.”

But McCarthy won’t be the only offensive weapon the ‘Hawks will trot out onto the diamond.

No sir.

Pitcher Gregg Burkhart (.362, first on the team), first baseman Collin Anderson (.294, 6 RBI), centerfielder Nick Savino (.281, 16 runs scored, 9 RBI), shortstop Kevin Carolan (.260, 14 runs scored) and leftfielder Pete Engel (.261) all return to the regular lineup. And then there is sophomore third baseman Ron Isler, who was just 2-of-12 at the plate last year, but is someone with the potential to be explosive.

Dave Roodhuyzen will work the second base bag while Rob Weiss and Matt LaPak will share time in rightfield.

As a team, the ‘Hawks batted .275 with 22 doubles, four triples, three home runs (Savino had the other) and 101 runs scored in 20 games (5.05 runs per game)

“We have some good athletes on this team,” said coach Larkins, “and some good team speed and I really like our lineup. We brought back 11 kids from last year and six or seven of those were first-year starters. We made some youthful mistakes, but a lot of kids worked hard in the off-season.”

One of the main strengths of the team, though, should be its pitching staff. John Fiscella and Burkhart will be at the top of the rotation but Carolan, Keith Neidig and Isler will provide coach Larkins with a lot of depth and a lot of options when it comes to middle- and late-inning relief.

He found that out late last week, when the ‘Hawks managed to get in a scrimmage against Derby High School (“it was the first time the kids saw dirt,” said coach Larkins) and recorded a 6-2 win as four pitchers fashioned a two-hitter.

The season was set to open Thursday in a non-league game at Pomperaug.

It might not be a critical game, but it is an important one.

“The first game won’t make or break us,” said coach Larkins, “but a win would be a great way to get out of the chute. Man for man, I think we can play baseball with most teams. The kids just have to believe.”

SCHEDULE

 

Thursday, April 5 – at Pomperaug (non-league), 3:45 pm; Saturday, April 7 – versus St. Joseph’s (doubleheader), 10 am; Wednesday, April 11 – at Brookfield, 3:45 pm; Saturday, April 14 – versus Bunnell, 11 am; Monday, April 16 – versus Masuk (non-league), 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 18 – versus Stratford; Friday, April 20 – versus Pomperaug, 3:45 pm; Monday, April 23 – at New Fairfield, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, April 25 – versus New Milford, 3:45 pm; Friday, April 27 – at Jonathan Law, 3:45 pm; Monday, April 30 – versus Jonathan Law (non-league), 3:45 pm.

Wednesday, May 2 – at Notre Dame, 3:45 pm; Friday, May 4 – versus Immaculate, 3:45 pm; Monday, May 7 – at Bethel, 7 pm; Wednesday, May 9 – versus Joel Barlow, 3:45 pm; Friday, May 11 – at Masuk, 3:45 pm; Monday, May 14 – versus Foran, 3:45 pm; Wednesday, May 16 – at Weston, 3:45 pm; Thursday, May 17 – at Kolbe-Cathedral, 3:45 pm.

Monday, May 21 – SWC quarter-finals at home of higher-ranked team; Tuesday, May 22 – SWC semi-finals; Thursday, May 24 – SWC finals at Bethel.