Newtown High School's baseball team erupted for six runs in the third inning, built a 7-0 lead, and held off the visiting New Milford Green Wave baseball team 7-6 on April 15. Following a 6-0 defeat by Daniel Hand of Madison on April 18, the Nighthawks went on the road and defeated Stratford 6-1 on April 20.

In the win over the Green Wave, Travis Rekos sparked the offense with a leadoff double and stole third. Lucian Place followed with an RBI single to give the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

The game turned decisively in the third inning, when Newtown plated six runs on four hits. Pete Eppers ignited the rally with a leadoff double, and Rekos reached on a walk. The duo executed a double steal to put immediate pressure on New Milford. After Chris Moseman walked to load the bases, Kieran Garrity lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run.

Newtown continued to apply pressure on the basepaths as Rekos and Moseman pulled off another double steal. Cam Kullgren then delivered a key two-run double to extend the lead. Jack Carta followed with an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw home. Trevor Stott added a single and a stolen base, and two defensive miscues by New Milford allowed Carta and Stott to score, stretching the lead to 7-0.

Despite the early deficit, the Green Wave mounted a late comeback attempt, but Newtown’s pitching staff held off the visitors.

Garrity earned the win on the mound, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs over five innings while striking out five and walking four. Carta provided relief, and Stott closed the door to earn the save.

Kullgren anchored the middle of the lineup with two runs batted in, and Eppers led the team with two hits in three at bats.

Newtown’s aggressive baserunning proved to be a difference-maker as the team racked up 11 stolen bases. Rekos led the way with three steals and Eppers added two. Kullgren, Carta, Place, Moseman, Stott, and Evan DePasquale each contributed one.

The Nighthawks were shut out by Hand in a nonconference clash. Newtown matched the Tigers pitch for pitch over the course of the first four innings, with starter Jacob Buckley turning in a solid outing on the mound. Buckley worked four innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out two and walking one, keeping the Nighthawks within striking distance through the early part of the game. Newtown’s bullpen saw contributions from Carta, Moseman, Kullgren, and JT Walsh, who all appeared in relief following Buckley’s outing.

The Tigers finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning. They drew a walk to get things started, and capitalized from there. A sacrifice fly brought home the first run, and a single down the right field line plated another, giving the Tigers the momentum they needed.

Newtown struggled to generate offense throughout the game, managing just one hit. That came in the seventh inning off the bat of Moseman. Garrity and Walsh each worked a walk, with Walsh also swiping a base.

Newtown returned to action with a visit to Stratford at Penders Field and received a commanding pitching performance from Piccuillo, who struck out 13 batters. The senior captain was in control from the start, allowing just two hits over seven innings. The lone run Piccuillo surrendered was unearned, and he issued only two walks in a dominant outing.

In the top of the first inning, Garrity worked a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Place then reached on an error, allowing Garrity to come around and score the game’s first run. The Red Devils answered in the bottom of the third, capitalizing on a defensive miscue that put a runner on third base before a base hit tied the game.

The Nighthawks quickly regained control in the fourth. Stott drew a walk, and pinch runner Oscar Nordt moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Schmidt. Walsh followed with a deep drive to left-center field that turned into an inside-the-park home run, plating two runs and giving Newtown a 3-1 edge.

Newtown added to its lead in the fifth inning. Eppers walked and stole second before advancing to third on a Carta single. Although Eppers was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice, pinch runner Brayden Kozek later scored when Schmidt lined a ball off the pitcher’s leg and into open space, extending the lead to 4-1.

The Nighthawks put the game out of reach in the sixth. Moseman singled and Garrity followed with a triple to right field to drive him in. Garrity later scored on a wild pitch.

Newtown finished with ten hits, including three of the extra-base variety, and the Nighthawks turned one double play.