Newtown Losing Streaks Fall By The Wayside

By Kim J. Harmon

Getting off the schneid. Not a lot of people know what that really means (it actually relates to a card game, gin rummy), but it has come to mean “get on the winning track” and that’s exactly what the Newtown High School softball, girls’ lacrosse and boys’ tennis teams did this past week.

The softball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 7-0 win over Weston; the girls’ lacrosse team snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over Weston; and the boys’ tennis team snapped a three-match losing streak with a win over Bethel.

Now, the girls’ tennis team has never been on the schneid and boosted its record to 4-0; the baseball team uncorked (so to speak) the lumber on Saturday and out-slugged Weston, 12-10, in the first game of a Harbor Yard doubleheader; and the boys’ lacrosse team notched its first win.

Despite the spring break, it has been a busy week.

Read on –

GIRLS TENNIS

Newtown 6, Bunnell 1; Newtown 5, Bethel 2

Newtown High School girls’ tennis coach Maureen Maher has settled on one thing so far – Lauren Nemeth is her No. 1 singles player while Jill Tanner and Emily Fields are her No. 1 doubles players.

As for the rest … well, coach Maher has mixed up her lineup quite a bit but has shown she has the weapons to do that and still come out unscathed. The Lady Nighthawks improved to 4-0 with wins over Bunnell (6-1) and Bethel (5-2) and will seek to improve to 5-0 with a visit to Notre Dame of Fairfield on Monday.

In the win over Bunnell, Veronica Parsloe got locked up in a nearly three-hour match and suffered a heartbreaking 7-6, 7-6 loss. But on the rest of the courts, the ‘Hawks coasted with the doubles tandems of Tanner and Fields, Jenna Moser and Kristene Salbu, and Maxx Zimmer and Christina Elsenhans dropped just three games between them.

Nemeth notched a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles while Ashley Gabor earned a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 2 singles and Sarah Salbu grabbed a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles.

In the win over Bethel, Tanner and Fields dropped their first match at No. 1 doubles with a 6-0, 6-4 loss to the Jachowicz sisters – Marta and Julia. And the Salbu sisters – Sarah and Kristene – dropped a 7-6, 6-1 decision to Scarlett Gonzalez and Christine Franzese.

But Nemeth, Ryan and Gabor sailed to straight sets win as Michelle Serock earned a somewhat tougher 6-2, 6-4 win over Karyn Garrison at No. 3 singles. Lauren DeFelice and Katie Serock teamed for a 6-3, 6-0 win over Cecily Katz and Jessica Sacrider at No. 3 doubles.

Following the match with Notre Dame, the ‘Hawks will return home next Wednesday to host Masuk.

Newtown 5, Bethel 2

SINGLES: Lauren Nemeth (N) def. Tiffany Chambers 6-0, 6-1; Tara Ryan (N) def. Jessica Murphy 6-0, 6-1; Michelle Serock (N) def. Karyn Garrison 6-2, 6-4; Ashley Gabor (N) def. Leslie Polseno 6-0; 6-0. DOUBLES: Marta Jachowicz/Julia Jachowicz (B) def. Jill Tanner/Emily Fields 6-0, 6-4; Scarlett Gonzalez/Christine Franzese (B) def. Sarah Salbu/Kristene Salbu 7-6, 6-1; Lauren DeFelice/Katie Serock (N) def. Cecily Katz/Jessica Sacrider 6-3, 6-0.

BASEBALL

Newtown 12, Weston 10; Weston 11, Newtown 1; Newtown 4, Stratford 3

The Newtown High School baseball team had just about everything in its favor around three o’clock last Saturday – (a) an 8-2 lead on rival Weston, (b) heading in the top of the sixth inning, (c) on a glorious spring afternoon, (d) in the first game of a doubleheader, (e) at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.

But the Nighthawks decided to tempt fate and blew that lead, allowing the Trojans to score seven runs in the top of the sixth to take a 9-8 lead, before rallying back in the bottom of the sixth with four more runs of their own to eventually escape with a 12-10 win.

“We weren’t throwing strikes (in the sixth) and we let them right back into the game,” said head coach Carl Strait. “You got to expect that with a young team, but the kids battled right back.”

Pitching didn’t seem like it would be an issue for the ‘Hawks as starter Alex Dolan set Weston down easily in the top of the first. But Dolan struggled with his control in the second, allowing two runs, and was relieved in the third by Jesse Furphy after walking a batter.

Furphy shut the door in that frame and the ‘Hawks scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead. Furphy also went unscathed in the fourth and fifth innings and allowed the ‘Hawks to open their 8-2 lead with a four-run explosion in the bottom of the fifth.

But with Furphy showing signs of fatigue, coach Strait turned to Mike Tibbetts in the sixth – except Tibbetts had trouble finding the plate and the Weston bats came alive. The ‘Hawks did not help themselves – or their pitcher – when a potential, inning-ending double play ball was booted.

“I thought we would struggle offensively at times,” said coach Strait, “but I’m surprised at how we’ve struggled in the field. We worked hard on it in practice (on Monday and Tuesday) and hopefully all that work has paid off.”

But the Trojans – undefeated heading into the game – held the lead only briefly as the ‘Hawks put the finishing touches on their 14-hit attack and scored four times in the bottom of the sixth to take a 12-9 lead.

Steve Marks – expected to start Game 2 of the doubleheader – was forced to come on in relief in the seventh and earned the save.

Matt Nicoll had a pair of doubles to help fuel the offense while Nick Magoulas doubled and Seth Hull drove in four runs. The most impressive hit of the day, though, came in the bottom of the fifth when catcher Pete Oggeri lashed a ringing triple to the base of the wall in centerfield.

Tibbetts drove in two runs while Brian Shimko, Nicoll and Joe DeVellis also drove in runs. DeVellis – filling an outfield spot in the absence of injured starter Brennan Coakley – was spectacular in left while running down a couple of long flies and playing a tricky carom in the corner.

Game 2 was all Weston, though, as the Trojans banged out 13 hits, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looking back in an 11-1 win. The ‘Hawks came up with just one hit and made five errors along the way.

Steve Vichiola drove in the only Newtown run in the top of the fifth. Marks went the distance, walking three and striking out seven and quickly left after the game because of a back injury. But as of Tuesday, the junior pitcher appeared to be okay.

Last week, the ‘Hawks earned a 4-3 win over Stratford as Vichiola scored from third on a passed ball in the top of the sixth. Tibbetts and Shimko banged out three hits apiece as Marks tossed a complete game, striking out seven.

Once again, the ‘Hawks toyed with fate – blowing a 3-0 lead by allowing three unearned runs.

The ‘Hawks hosted Joel Barlow on Wednesday and will be in New Fairfield on Friday before returning home on Monday for another engagement with New Fairfield. Then the locals will travel to Stratford next Thursday to battle Bunnell.

Newtown 12, Weston 10

BATTERIES: Weston – Dan Seymour, Will Kellogg (5), David Waterhouse (5), Sam Meyer (6), Spencer Joseph (6) and Nick Laico; Newtown – Alex Dolan, Jesse Furphy (3), Mike Tibbetts (6), Dave Marcucilli (6), Steve Marks (7) and Pete Oggeri. WP: Dave Marcucilli (1-0). LP: Sam Meyer. SAVE: Marks (1). 2B: Seymour (W) 3, Matt Goldman (W). Matt Nicoll (N) 2, Nick Magoulas (N). 3B: Pete Oggeri (N). RBI: Weston – JB Frownfelter, Mickey Ritzzo, Ryan Burke, Seymour 3, Goldman 2; Newtown – Mike Tibbetts 2, Pete Oggeri, Brian Shimko, Seth Hull 4, Matt Nicoll, Joe DeVellis.

Weston 11, Newtown 1

BATTERIES: Newtown – Steve Marks and Pete Oggeri, Nick Magoulas (4); Weston – Matt Goldman and Nick Laico. WP: Goldman. LP: Steve Marks (2-1). SO: Steve Marks 7, Matt Goldman 8. BB: Steve Marks 3, Matt Goldman 3. RBI: Newtown – Steve Vichiola; Weston – John DiScala 2, Laico, Mickey Ritzzo, Ryan Burke, Goldman 2, JB Frownfelter.

Newtown 4, Stratford 3

BATTERIES: Newtown – Steve Marks and Pete Oggeri; Stratford – Steve Martonak and Keith Sulcizki. WP: Steve Marks (2-0). LP: Steve Martonak (0-2). SO: Steve Marks 7, Steve Martonak 2. BB: Steve Marks 2, Steve Martonak 2. 2B: Keith Sulcizki (S), Joe Anzeletti (S). RBI: Stratford – Joe Anzeletti 3; Newtown – Mike Tibbetts 2, Brian Shimko.

SOFTBALL

Brookfield 1, Newtown 0; Bunnell 2, Newtown 1; Newtown 7, Weston 0

A four-game losing streak had Newtown High School softball head coach Jay Edwards taking a real, hard look at his team.

What he saw were some low batting averages and some inconsistent play in the field and on the base paths – all of which forced him to make some hard decisions late last week as the Lady Nighthawks sought to recover from a 2-4 start.

And the shakeup began to pay off right away as the ‘Hawks put a stop to that four-game losing streak (in which the ‘Hawks scored only two runs) with an impressive 7-0 win over Weston on Monday afternoon.

It was their first South-West Conference win of the year.

Senior Lisa Morgan fired a three-hitter, fanning 16 batters along the way, and helped her own cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.

The locals broke open a scoreless tie with six runs in the top of the fourth inning. Megan LaFlamme and Ashley Ferris each tripled while Christina Wolf drove in two runs. Jenna Van Waalwijk and Emily Blewett both drove in runs, as well.

The win may have helped ease some of the disappointment from the 1-0 loss suffered at the hands of Brookfield last Thursday.

Facing a one-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, the ‘Hawks worked their way into a bases-loaded situation with a pair of hits, a sacrifice bunt, and a walk. But an infield grounder led to a force out at home before Sammie Ciaccia ripped a bullet right at the Bobcat centerfielder to end the game.

The locals had just four hits in the game, none for extra bases. Caitlin Smith of Brookfield drove in the only run in the top of the fifth as Morgan scattered six hits and struck out seven in a hard-luck performance.

Last Wednesday, the ‘Hawks dropped another heartbreaker – a 2-1 heartbreaker – to Bunnell despite banging out seven hits. One of those hits, a single off the bat of Wolf, drove in Joanna Barry with the lone Newtown run.

Morgan fired a two-hitter, but the Lady Bulldogs scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first inning. Morgan walked five in the game while striking out six and helped herself at the plate by going 3-for-3.

The ‘Hawks hosted Joel Barlow on Wednesday and will be in New Fairfield on Friday before returning home next Monday to host Kolbe-Cathedral.

Brookfield 1, Newtown 0

BATTERIES: Brookfield – Ashley Castellano and Caitlin Smith; Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris. WP: Castellano (3-2). LP: Morgan (2-4). SO: Castellano 3, Morgan 7. BB: Castellano 3, Morgan 2. 2B: Lynn Cotto (B). 3B: Smith (B). RBI: Brookfield – Smith.

Bunnell 2, Newtown 1

BATTERIES: Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris; Bunnell – Carlie Minichino and Meghan Lance. WP: Minichino (4-0). LP: Morgan (2-3). SO: Morgan 6, Minichino 11. BB: Morgan 5, Minichino 1. RBI: Newtown – Christina Wolf; Bunnell – Minichino.

Newtown 7, Weston 0

BATTERIES: Newtown – Lisa Morgan and Ashley Ferris; Weston – Daria Heffler, Ava DiApice (4) and Elizabeth Ogiba. WP: Lisa Morgan (3-4). LP: Daria Heffler (1-1). SO: Morgan (N) 16, Heffler (W) 2, Ava DiApice (W) 2. BB: Morgan (N) 1, Heffler (W) 8, DiApice (W) 1. 3B: Megan LaFlamme (N), Ashley Ferris (N). RBI: Newtown – Christina Wolf 2, Megan LaFlamme, Jenna Van Waalwijk, Lisa Morgan, Emily Blewett.

BOYS TENNIS

Bunnell 4, Newtown 3; Newtown 6, Bethel 1

It was one of the most hard-fought matches in years and it may have turned the tide for the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team.

After suffering a pair of sweeps (to Pomperaug and Joel Barlow) to open the 2005 season, the Nighthawks traveled to Stratford last Wednesday and ended up embroiled in – and subsequently losing – an epic match with Bunnell.

Of the seven individual matches, one went to three sets and four involved tie-breaks.

The ‘Hawks fell, 4-3.

“The match was a cliff-hanger and a heartbreaker and I thought until the very end that we would pull it out,” said head coach Marty Margulies. “Overall the contest was one of the most exciting I’ve seen.  It’s just too bad that we came out on the short end of it.”

Ben Wicki and Shane McCarthy had, perhaps, the most nerve-wracking match of the afternoon at No. 2 doubles as they dropped a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) decision to Greg Papachristos and Dan Romaniello. But Chris Martin’s match at No. 2 singles was no picnic, either, as he earned a 6-7 (8-6), 6-2, 6-3 win over Josh Holloman.

“Chris seems to thrive on pressure,” said coach Margulies, “and he staged one of his patented comebacks to win and give us a 3-2 lead (at that point). Ben and Shane were playing together for the first time at second doubles and they made made some spectacular returns before losing a pair of extended sets.”

While Drew Adamek dropped a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 decision to Matt Laurie at No. 1 singles, Max Margulies had to battle his way to a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win over Emmett Garber at No. 4 singles.

“Max played some gutsy tennis at fourth singles,” said coach Margulies, “coming back from a 4-1 deficit in the first set and then staving off his opponent’s comeback from 6-2 in the tiebreaker.”

Even Dave Wilkins and Baj Ahtchi battled hard, dropping a tough 7-5, 6-4 loss at No. 3 doubles to Matt Esposito and Andrew Healy. It seems Mike Coster and Jim Wilkins were the only players who had an easy time of it, coasting to a straight-set sweep of Earl Santoro and Sal Aurelia at No. 1 doubles.

The ‘Hawks came off that loss and rolled to a 6-1 win over Bethel last Friday to improve to 3-1.

“I was pleased by our performance in this, our first victory of the spring,” said coach Margulies. “If we can win against teams like Brookfield and New Milford – and I expect both matches to be competitive – we still have a good shot at making the conference playoffs.”

Adamek earned his first win of the year, a 6-4, 6-2 decision over Sean Geary at No. 1 singles. Martin, Meier and Margulies all earned straight-set wins at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 singles.

“It was nice to see Drew break into the win column,” said coach Margulies. “He’s a fine player in spite of having lost his first three matches against tough opponents and I expect him to have a winning season overall.”

Adam Feldman and Evan Ritzinger were handed the only loss of the afternoon, but only after battling to a 6-1, 7-6 (12-10) decision with Alec Olszewski and Matt Roberts at No. 3 doubles.

The ‘Hawks will host Notre Dame on Monday and will visit Masuk on Wednesday.

Bunnell 4, Newtown 3

SINGLES: Matt Laurie (B) def. Drew Adamek 7-6 (8-6), 6-4; Chris Martin (N) def. Josh Holloman 6-7 (8-6), 6-2, 6-3; Brian Fielding (B) def. Chris Meier 6-2, 6-1; Max Margulies (N) def. Emmett Garber 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. DOUBLES: Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins (N) def. Earl Santoro/Sal Aurelia 6-0, 6-0; Greg Papachristos/Dan Romaniello (B) def. Ben Wicki/Shane McCarthy 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5); Matt Esposito/Andrew Healy def. Dave Wilkins/Baj Ahtchi 7-5, 6-4.

Newtown 6, Bethel 1

SINGLES: Drew Adamek (N) def. Sean Geary 6-4, 6-2; Chris Martin (N) def. Chris Morrison 6-4, 6-2; Chris Meier (N) def. Vinay Purohit 6-2, 6-1; Max Margulies (N) def. Mike Parenti 6-1, 6-1. DOUBLES: Mike Coster/Jim Wilkins (N) def. Nick Palermo/Alex Gentile 6-1, 7-5; Ben Wicki/Shane McCarthy (N) def. Dmitriy Shnitser/Scott Karvelis 6-1, 7-5; Alec Olszewski/Matt Roberts (B) def. Adam Feldman/Evan Ritzinger 6-1, 7-6 (12-10).

GIRLS LACROSSE

Newtown 13, Weston 1

If there was any lingering frustration over a recent two-game losing streak, then the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team made Weston suffer for it last Friday.

Meg Regnery scored four goals as the Lady Nighthawks improved to 2-2 with a 13-1 shellacking of the Lady Trojans. The ‘Hawks – who had lost tough battles with Cheshire and Joel Barlow – scored seven times in the first half and were virtually unchallenged.

Karli Beitel notched two goals and three assists to help fuel the offense while Rachel Maley, Libby Feltch and Kim Solheim had two goals apiece. Moira Collier added a goal and two assists as Regnery, Erica Vacaro and Jen Greenwood all recorded assists.

Newtown goaltender Kerri Canavan needed to make just five saves on the afternoon.

The locals hosted Fairfield Warde on Thursday and – weather permitting – will be in Monroe on Saturday to take on Masuk before returning home next Tuesday for another tilt with Masuk.

Newtown 13, Weston 1

GOALS: Weston – Wilde. Newtown – Megan Regnery 4, Karli Beitel 2, Rachel Maley 2, Kimberly Solheim 2, Libby Feltch 2, Moira Collier. ASSISTS: Newtown – Karli Beitel 3, Moira Collier 2, Meg Regnery, Erica Vacaro, Jen Greenwood. SAVES: Allen (W) 13, Kerrie Canavan (N) 5.

GOLF

Pomperaug 159, Newtown 172

The No. 1 and No. 2 players for the Pomperaug High School golf team struggled early on the short, tight Newtown Country Club course last week, raising hopes that Newtown could record its first win of the 2005 season.

But the Panthers showed the reason why they went into the match undefeated: depth.

With No. 3 Jim Widman carding a 35 to earn medallist honors, the Panthers slipped past the Nighthawks, 159-172 to drop the locals to 0-3 on the year. Sam Pelletier nailed down a 38 for Pomperaug while Alex Rocque carded a 42 and Bobby Rubino finished with a 44.

Newtown’s No. 3 man, Jake Maher, finished with a team-low round of 3-over par 36 as Nick Moser and Dave McLaughlin each carded 12-over par 45s. Drew Taylor rounded out the foursome for Newtown with a 46.

The Nighthawks will return to the links on Monday with a 2:15 pm match against New Milford and then will follow up with a visit to Notre Dame on Thursday, April 28.

BOYS LACROSSE

Amity 9, Newtown 4; Newtown 8, East Lyme 5

The good feelings arising from the first win of the 2005 season didn’t last all that long as the Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse team dropped a 9-4 decision to Amity Regional on Tuesday afternoon.

The Nighthawks opened the season with losses to New Milford and Branford, but then recorded their first win last Friday in East Lyme with an 8-5 win over the Vikings. The ‘Hawks were unable to build on that win, though – thanks to the Amity Regional defense.

The Spartans took a 4-0 lead in the first period and allowed the ‘Hawks nary a sniff at the cage. But early in the second the ‘Hawks did break through on goals by Dan Gindraux and Grant Speer. Gindraux scored first off a great feed from Speer and then Speer followed up on a fast break.

The Spartans halted the mini rally, though, and scored five unanswered goals to take a 9-2 lead heading into the final period. There, the ‘Hawks were able to notch a couple more goals thanks to Zach D’Agostino and Speer.

Tyler Law and Travis Speer both recorded assists and goaltender Drew Harmata made five saves on the afternoon.

In the win over East Lyme, Jeff Bell scored three goals while Law, Gindraux and Kevin Regan scored one goal apiece. Speer recorded a pair of assists as Bell, D’Agostino and Brendan Martin all notched assists.

Harmata made 13 saves.

The ‘Hawks were in Masuk on Thursday and will be in Brookfield next Thursday.

Newtown 8, East Lyme 5

GOALS: Newtown – Jeff Bell 3, Tyler Law, Dan Gindraux, Kevin Regan; East Lyme – Ryan Doherty 2, Justin Portier 2, Mike Swenson 1. ASSISTS: Newtown – Grant Speer 2, Jeff Bell, Zach D’Agostino, Brendan Martin; East Lyme – Adam Reed, Kevin Raymond, Dan Lin. SAVES: Newtown – Drew Harmata 13; East Lyme – Joe Mangillo 9.