Members of Newtown High School’s baseball team performed/executed fielding and base running drills on the turf at Blue & Gold Stadium (because the grass playing field was soggy after the snow finally melted away) on April 1 as they prepared for the start of the campaign.

The key to some success this spring, Coach Memoli anticipates, is playing fundamentally sound ball; smart base running and solid fielding will be important.

“We have to make sure we don’t hand outs away,” the coach said.

While the team’s preparations have been somewhat limited — the Nighthawks started tryouts and practices indoors at NYA Sports & Fitness Center and pitchers don’t have the luxury of throwing off a mound at the turf field — the team members have been able to practice many facets of the game. Base runners have worked on timing on the base paths, and fielders have taken grounders and worked on throws and tags. Despite a short outfield on one side at the Blue & Gold field, the hitters and outfielders have gotten their  work in. They’ve also hit at both indoor and outdoor batting cages.

Memoli would like to see his team perform at a high level every day, and hopes for some playoff success. He’s got mix of up-and-coming young players and experienced veterans, so the coach has an eye on the future while looking forward to success this spring.

“We have a really bright future with a lot of underclassmen,” Memoli said. “I’m excited. We’ve got a lot of good young kids who are fired up. We have a lot of seniors who are leaders.”

The upperclassmen are led by senior captains Charlie Huegi (catcher), Michael Parker (the team’s top pitcher), Jaret DeVellis (center field), and David Matthews (first base/outfield).

The Nighthawks expect to get a boost from junior outfielder Sam Czel, who was sidelined during preseason with a knee injury. Julian Dunn, who is headed to the University of Maine to play football next year, is back with the team after a year away, and can play the infield and serve as designated hitter. Connor Miller, a pitcher, is another senior whom Memoli expects big things from. Sophomore pitchers Jason Hebner and Austin Kasbarian are among the younger team members expected to contribute.

Newtown will have to fill shoes left by graduates Virgil Procaccini (shortstop), Austin Raftery (catcher), and Greg Hennessey (outfielder).

Tough competition stands to come from Bunnell of Stratford, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Pomperaug of Southbury, and Weston, Memoli says.

Last year, Newtown fell to Notre Dame in the first round of the SWC tourney, and was eliminated in the second round of state tournament action. The Hawks were the No. 21 seed in the Class LL bracket and upset No. 12 Greenwich, defeating pitcher Kyle Dunster who was drafted by the New York Mets but chose to play collegiate ball and is now at Boston College. The campaign ended in an extra inning loss to fifth-seeded Naugatuck.

This season gets going with a trio of contests against nonconference foes Staples of Westport (opener on the road on Wednesday, April 8, at 4 pm), Fairfield Ludlowe (first home game, Thursday, April 9 at 4 pm), and Berlin (home, Friday, April 10 at 3:45 pm). Newtown will visit Notre Dame, in a rematch of last year’s SWC clash, Monday, April 13 at 4:15 pm.

“I’m just looking forward to some warm weather and getting baseball started,” Memoli said on a chilly (but not too bad all things considered) April 1 afternoon. “It’s been a long winter.”

Note: This article was updated and changed on April 7 to reflect that Newtown advanced to the second round of last year's state tournament.