Coach Bob Guererra is hopeful that the slow start to the spring — his Newtown High School softball team preparing first indoors before moving onto the Blue & Gold Stadium turf field to conduct drills, and having preseason scrimmages canceled — doesn’t set the tone for a tough start to the year. No matter how quickly the Nighthawks get into the swing of things, the coach is optimistic that they’ll emerge as contenders for a championship by the time the season winds down in late May.

“I want to be competitive in every game,” said Guererra, adding that — at the very least — he’d like for every opponent to feel they’ve had a tough game when they leave the playing field after facing his squad.

A year ago, Newtown reached the semifinal round of the South-West Conference Tournament and got to the third round of the state bracket. Given the level of talent and experience back in the fold, Guererra is optimistic about a successful campaign. “I would really love to contend for the league,” he said.

Tough competition stands to come from Pomperaug of Southbury, Brookfield, and Masuk of Monroe. Lauralton Hall of Milford and Oxford moved into the Southern Connecticut Conference. Newtown has some tough nonconference games with Norwalk, Trumbull, and St Joseph of Trumbull all on the slate. The season is slated to begin on Wednesday, April 8, when the Hawks visit Trumbull at 4 pm.

Captains are seniors Gillian Galante, Mikayla Kuligowski, and Emily Woznik. Woznick is the catcher, Kuligowski plays shortstop, and Galante is a pitcher, giving the Nighthawks a group of four-year players in key positions. “It’s nice to have a little experience up the middle,” the coach said. Lauren Wilcox also returns to the pitcher’s circle. Haley Ryan is in center field, Megan Goyda plays third, Jill Lasorsa is back to play second base, and Kate Laaksonen, an All-State infielder, plays first and third.

Newcomers whom Guererra will look to for contributions are Emily Bell, Kamdyn Moroney, Sara Kennedy, and Mackenzie Maccharulo.

“I have a lot of talent so it’s important that they gel as a group and we have good practice habits,” said Guererra, adding that he’d like for his team members to take an aggressive mentality onto the playing field each day.

“We have a nice blend of experience and youthful exuberance,” Guererra said. “It’s an enthusiastic group.”

Note: This article was corrected on April 7. Team captains are Gillian Galante, Mikayla Kuligowski, and Emily Woznick.