By Kim J. Harmon

It seems hard to believe, but the post-season is approaching like a runaway freight train and it is time to start thinking of which Newtown High School teams have a legitimate shot at a South-West Conference championship.

The softball team, certainly, since it improved to 14-1 overall and 9-0 in the SWC, but it would mean somehow sneaking past Masuk and phenom Rachel Fico.

The girls’ lacrosse team, most definitely, since it improved to 11-1 overall and 11-0 in the SWC with an offense that is generating 14.75 goals a game.

The baseball team, okay, since it improved to 9-6 overall and 6-1 in the SWC with an impressive win over Pomperaug on Monday and has one of the top starters (Ryan McGrath) and best lineups in the conference.

And the golf team, for sure, since it improved to 8-1 overall with superb performances against New Milford, Brookfield and Weston, but it would mean somehow figuring out how to out-shoot Pomperaug on the Ridgewood Country Club layouts.

A little more tenuous are the cases for the tennis or track teams but as sports fans have known for years, anything can happen.

Stay tuned.

 

SOFTBALL

Newtown 3, Pomperaug 2

Newtown 3, New Milford 1

Newtown 18, Immaculate 2

Newtown 8, Greenwich 2

It was like De La Hoya and Mayweather, two consummate fighters – in this case, the Newtown and Pomperaug softball teams – slugging it out for 12 rounds and coming to a finish that was almost too close to call.

In the end, it was Sam Ciaccia who dealt the crippling blow when she smashed a one-out, one-two Casey Foster offering in the bottom of the 12th inning deep to centerfield for a triple. And, then, with the Lady Panthers staggering on the canvas, Melissa Fracker delivered the knockout punch with a bounding ball to first that allowed Ciaccia to race home from third, sliding around the tag of Melissa Cooling to give the Lady Nighthawks their most thrilling South-West Conference win of the season.

“I was just looking to get the bat on the ball,” said Ciaccia, who is hitting a blistering .469 on the season (15-of-32). “I took my stride early and was just trying to meet the ball.”

The precedent for her hit came just moments before when Katie Schmidt led off with a bomb to left field that was tracked down for an out. Though the ‘Hawks were limited to just six hits through the first 11 innings, it appeared as if the locals were finally going to get to Foster, who whiffed 15 batters on the night.

“The team average is pretty high,” said Ciaccia, “and to not have the bats working the way they do is a little strange. But this gives us confidence that we can still win these (kinds of) games.”

Pomperaug scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fourth, but the ‘Hawks answered back in the bottom of th frame on a sharp single by Schmidt past the glove of the Pomperaug second baseman. Then Foster and Legros (9-1 on the year) started dealing donuts, dueling into the 12th, but it was Legros – who allowed just two hits over the next eight inning – who was just a little bit better.

The two combined to strike out 26 batters.

With that win – and a win over FCIAC opponent Greenwich – the ‘Hawks improved to 14-1 overall, 9-0 in the SWC. The locals have not tasted defeat since to a 2-1 non-league loss to Lauralton Hall back on April 9.

A rematch with the Crusaders is coming up Friday, in Milford.

A triple was the key hit last week when the ‘Hawks defeated SWC rival New Milford, 3-1. Nora Lynn Shimko (hitting .410 on the year with a double and four triples) belted a three-bagger to lead off the game and kick-started a three-run rally that provided the ‘Hawks with all the runs they would need.

Kate Bowen (hitting .455 on the year) drove in Shimko with the initial run and, then, with a couple of stolen bases and singles by Kelly Tenney and Schmidt, two more runs crossed the plate.

Legros was sharp, allowing just four hits while walking none an striking out four.

In an 18-2 win over Immaculate, Bowen doubled and tripled while Tenney and Jenna Van waalwijk drove in four runs apiece and Shimko banged out three hits. Mariale Renna got the start and scattered four hits, walking one and striking out three to pick up her second win as her earned run average rested at a miniscule 1.08 for the season.

In the win over Greenwich on Tuesday, the locals got the backs re-energized. Bowen and Cosgrove singled, tripled, homered and drove in three runs apiece. Ciaccia also homered and Stacy Broughton picked up the win, walking one and striking out seven.

The ‘Hawks hosted Bunnell on Wednesday night at Treadwell Park and will be in Milford on Friday to take on Lauralton Hall. The girls will remain on the road next Monday when they visit Brookfield before returning home next Wednesday and Thursday to close out the regular season against Stratford and Masuk.

Newtown 3, Pomperaug 2

BATTERIES: Pomperaug – Casey Foster and Melissa Cooling; Newtown – Jenna Legros and Nora Lynn Shimko. WP: Legros (9-1). LP: Foster (9-4). SO: Foster 15, Legros 11. BB: Foster 3, Legros 2. 3B: Sam Ciaccia (N). RBI: Newtown – Katie Schmidt 2, Melissa Fracker.

 

Newtown 3, New Milford 1

BATTERIES: Newtown – Jenna Legros and Nora Shimko; New Milford – Vanessa Maloney and Hannah Spooner. WP: Legros (7-1). LP: Maloney (5-2). SO: Maloney 7, Legros 4. BB: Maloney 2. HBP: Legros. 3B: Shimko (N), Danielle Dwyer (NM). RBI: Newtown – Kelly Tenney, Kate Schmidt; New Milford – Theresa Legan.

 

Newtown 8, Greenwich 2

BATTERIES: Greenwich – Cadavid and Novak; Newtown – Stacy Broughton and Nora Lynn Shimko, Ashley Kuligowski (6). WP: Broughton (3-0). LP: Cadavid. SO: Broughton 4, Cadavid 3. BB: Cadadivd 2, Broughton. 3B: Kate Bowen (N), Caitlyn Cosgrove (N). HR: Sam Ciaccia (N), Bowen (N), Cosgrove (N). RBI: Greenwich – Serena, Acocoella; Newtown – Bowen 3, Cosgrove 3, Ciaccia, Katie Schmidt.

BASEBALL

Newtown 12, New Milford 6

Newtown 11, Immaculate 0

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 4

Newtown 4, Pomperaug 2

Mike Tibbetts was a hero one day and Brian Cullinan was a hero on the other. Problem is, on only one of those days did the Newtown High School baseball team come away with a win.

In the opener of an unusual home-and-home series with Pomperaug last Saturday, Tibbetts was very strong in a complete-game effort at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, but even as he limited the opponents to six hits while walking three and striking out four, he was victimized by a two-run double and four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth that lifted the Panthers to the win.

But on Monday the locals earned some revenge as Cullinan belted a three-run, fourth-inning home run over the right-centerfield fence – his first of the season and second of his career – that led the ‘Hawks to a stunning, 4-2, win over a Panther team that had boasted a 12-2 record.

The locals, themselves, improved to 9-6 overall, 6-1 in the South-West Conference and since the second leg of the home-and-home series was a conference game, it gave the ‘Hawks the critical head-to-head tie-breaker in the impending conference tournament.

Last Saturday, the Nighthawks had their bats working well against Kyle Goldstein and scored a run in the top of the first and two more in the third to take an early 3-1 lead. The lead was holding up as Tibbetts – throwing a sizzling fastball and mixing in a nifty curve – maintained control.

But Mike Franke drilled a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score, 3-3. A sharp single then scored another run to give the Panthers the lead before a Newtown throwing error allowed a critical insurance run to cross the plate.

In the top of the seventh, though, the ‘Hawks rallied and managed to plate a run while putting two more runners on the base paths. But Charlie Benson, on in relief, snuffed out the rally. Alex Magoulas – who was 3-for-3 on the day with a run-scoring double – had the best at-bat of the frame, fouling off several pitches with two outs and one man on before finally singling to left field.

Joe DeVellis and Seth Hull doubled while Tony Gallucci – hitting an incredible .553 on the year (21-of-38) – drove in a pair of runs. Backup catcher Wilson Davidson had a couple of base knocks and Ryan McGrath – playing superbly at third despite taking a hard smash, bad hop ball off the chest – also drove in a run.

As for other highlights at Doubleday Field –

PJ Cochrane made a great diving catch in left to prevent a scoring opportunity … Cullinan made two nice scoops at first base in the bottom of the fourth, the second with Pomperaug threatening with a pair of runners on base … Hull (batting .333 with two doubles, two triples and two home runs) crushed a ball to DEEP centerfield – 390 feet, possibly more – that was tracked down for an out … Nick Urso made a solid defensive play at short in the sixth inning.

Two days later, the ‘Hawks got the win back on the Cullinan clout. With runners on second and third, Cullinan – with a full count – sat on a Charlie Benson fastball and drilled it over the fence. Gallucci banged out another two hits, one of those a triple, to help pace the offense.

McGrath fired a complete-game and except for a little hiccup in the fifth inning, finished the Panthers off in the seventh. He walked five and struck out six for his fifth win of the season.

The locals had a much easier time with wins over Immaculate (11-0) and New Milford (12-6).

Against Immaculate, Keith McGrath, Hull and Cochrane (hitting .375 with four doubles, a triple and a homer) had two hits apiece. Ryan McGrath earned the win, combining with Jake DeVellis on a six-hitter while combining to strike out eight batters.

Against New Milford, Gallucci tripled twice, singled twice and drove in two runs to power a 15-hit attack. The locals broke open a 5-3 game with four runs in the top of the sixth and then added three more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. McGrath (hitting .440 with four doubles, three triples and three home runs) doubled and homered while Joe DeVellis and Cullinan doubled and Tibbetts tripled.

Greg Rodden (3-0, 2.63 ERA) combined with McGrath for the win, the pair walking three and striking out seven (six of those by McGrath after coming on in relief in the fifth).

The ‘Hawks hosted Bunnell on Wednesday and will host Weston on Friday. Next week, they will visit Brookfield on Monday, host Stratford on Wednesday, and close out the regular season on Thursday in Monroe, against Masuk.

Newtown 12, New Milford 6

BATTERIES: Newtown – Greg Rodden, Ryan McGrath (5) and Brian Cullinan; New Milford – Josh Stumpek, Matt Corcoran (6) and Darren Lavallee. WP: Rodden (3-0). LP: Stumpek (2-1). SO: McGrath 6, Corcoran 2, Rodden, Stumpek. BB: Stumpek 3, Rodden 2, Corcoran 2, McGrath. 2B: McGrath (N), Joe DeVellis (N), Cullinan (N), Chris Allen (NM). 3B: Tony Galluci (N) 2, Mike Tibbetts (N). HR: McGrath (N). RBI: Newtown – Gallucci 2, DeVellis, McGrath; New Milford – Frankie O’Brien 2, JR Unikas, Stumpek, Chris Russo, Andrew Kissling.

 

Newtown 11, Immaculate 0

BATTERIES: Immaculate – Dan DiBuono, Pat Kenny (4) and Blake Hanesson; Newtown - Ryan McGrath, Jake DeVellis (6) and Brian Cullinan, Keith McGrath (6). WP: McGrath (4-2). LP: DiBuono. SO: McGrath 5, DeVellis 3, Kenny 2, DiBuono. BB: DiBuono 5, McGrath 2. HBP: Kenny, McGrath, DeVellis. 2B: CJ Rodrigues (I), Ryan McGrath (N), PJ Cochrane (N), Cullinan (N), Mike Tibbetts (N). 3B: Alex Magoulas (N). RBI: Newtown – Jake DeVellis 2, Joe Devellis 2, McGrath 2, Cochrane 2, Magoulas, Cullinan, Tibbetts.

 

Pomperaug 5, Newtown 4

BATTERIES: Newtown – Mike Tibbetts and Wilson Davidson; Pomperaug – Kyle Goldstein, Rob Leduc (7), Charlie Benson (7) and Brian LeMay. WP: Goldstein (4-1). LP: Tibbetts (1-3). SO: Goldstein 7, Tibbetts 4. BB: Tibbetts 3, Leduc. 2B: Joe DeVellis (N), Seth Hull (N), Alex Magoulas (N), Mike Franke (P). RBI: Newtown – Tony Galluci 2, Ryan McGrath, Magoulas; Pomperaug – Franke 2, Bryan Wrabel, Benson, Chris Bonetti.

 

Newtown 4, Pomperaug 2

BATTERIES: Pomperaug – Charlie Benson and Brian LeMay; Newtown – Ryan McGrath and Brian Cullinan. WP: McGrath (5-2). LP: Benson. SO: McGrath 6, Benson 4. BB: McGrath 5, Benson 2. 3B: Chris Comeau (P), Tony Gallucci (N). HR: Cullinan (N). RBI: Pomperaug – Alex Santopietro; Newtown – Cullinan 3, Alex Magoulas.

BOYS TENNIS

New Fairfield 4, Newtown 3

Newtown 7, Immaculate 0

Newtown 7, Stratford 0

 

For the first time in seven years, the Newtown High School boys’ tennis team fell to New Fairfield – and it comes at a time when the Nighthawks could ill afford such a loss.

The locals were clinging to the hope they could sneak into the South-West Conference team playoffs, but the 4-3 loss to the Rebels dealt those hopes a serious blow. And it was a match defined by seemingly impossible comebacks and a grueling match at No. 2 singles between Chris Meier of Newtown and Alex Kraft of New Fairfield.

Casey Tenney and Colin Jacob suffered the toughest blow at No. 2 doubles, seeing a 5-1 lead in the first set dissipate into a straight set defeat at the hands of Brian D’Angelo and Christian Beusario. But Meier saw his own lead dissipate against Kraft as he captured the first set, 6-4, before falling 6-2, 6-2 in the next two sets.

Evan Batzer and Adam Wenick earned singles wins with straight set wins over Mansur Tokmouline and Matt Hickey, respectively. Timo Roehrs and Peter Manos earned the only doubles win, a tough 6-0, 3-6, 6-3 win over David Trenk and Jeff Jones.

“We could still qualify for the playoffs,” said head coach Marty Margulies, “if we beat both Joel Barlow and Pomperaug next week. A tall order, but not an impossible one.”

That was the toughest match of the week for the ‘Hawks, who swept Immaculate and Stratford. Against Immaculate, Steve Jarszewski did well in his first-ever varsity match at No. 3 doubles while his partner, senior Justin Carotti, turned in another fine performance in his second one. Against Stratford, senior tri-captains Dave Wilkins and Ben Wicki shined in a 6-0, 6-0 win over Dan Fewrrar and Anderson Andrevil.

The ‘Hawks closed out the regular season this week on their home courts against Joel Barlow (Wednesday) and Pomperaug (Thursday).

New Fairfield 4, Newtown 3

SINGLES: Tyler Brown (NF) def Mario Roehrs 6-2, 6-2; Alex Kraft (NF) def Chris Meier 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; Evan Batzer (N) def Mansur Tokmouline 6-2, 6-2; Adam Wenick (N) def Matt Hickey 6-1, 6-1. DOUBLES: Timo Roehrs/Peter Manos (N) def David Trenk/Jeff Jones 6-0, 3-6, 6-3; Brian D’Angelo/Christian Beusario (NF) def Casey Tenney/Colin Jacob 7-6 (7-6), 6-4; Keith Bevan/Mike See (NF) def Adam Feldman/Dan Cassidy 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.

 

Newtown 7, Immaculate 0

SINGLES: Mario Roehrs (N) def Matt McNamara, 6-2, 6-3; Chris Meier (N) def Dan Ring, 6-2, 6-1; Evan Batzer (N) def Matt Rogers, 6-0, 6-2; Adam Wenick (N) def Adrian Tucker, 6-2, 6-0. DOUBLES: Timo Roehrs/Peter Manos (N) def Connor Bennfield/Steve Lardner, 6-1, 7-5; Casey Tenney/Colin Jacob (N) def Jack Holub/Jake Knight, 6-0, 6-2; Steve Jarszewski/Justin Carotti (N) def Jim Migione/Jamie Breen, 6-1, 6-0.

 

Newtown 7, Stratford 0

SINGLES: Mario Roehrs (N) def Chris Wilcox 6-0, 6-0; Chris Meier (N) def Traylor Wilcox 6-0, 6-1; Evan Batzer (N) def Dan Bacerra 6-1, 6-0; Adam Wenick (N) def Franky Padro 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES: Timo Roehrs/Peter Manos (N) def Dan Wrenlo/Matt Lisk 6-4, 6-3; Casey Tenney/Colin Jacob (N) def Anthony Lo/Sean Driscoll 6-0, 6-0; Ben Wicki/Dave Wilkins (N) def Dan Fewrrar/Anderson Andrevil, 6-0, 6-0.

GOLF

Newtown 152, Brookfield 163

Newtown 156, NMHS 169

Newtown 158, Weston 170

Newtown 173, Barlow 175

Weston has been pretty hot.

But Newtown has been hotter.

Two of the premier high school golf teams in the area clashed on Monday at the Aspetuck Country Club in Weston and with senior JP McDade carding a blistering even-par 35 and Billy McCann adding a 3-over par 38, the Nighthawks rolled to a 158-170 win to improve to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the South-West Conference.

Pat Daly added a 41 and Chris McCann contributed a 44. That effort dropped the Trojans to 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the SWC and makes the impending battle between Newtown and Pomperaug (which took place on Thursday) all the more enticing.

The ‘Hawks – if possible – were even sharper last week in a 156-169 win over New Milford at Candlewood Valley Country Club. Daly fired a 1-over par 37 to capture medallist honors while Steve Oberstadt added a 2-over par 38. McDade shot a 40 and Billy McCann added a 41.

Oberstadt earned medallist honors at the Newtown Country Club last week when he fired an even-par 33 to lead the ‘Hawks to a 152-163 win over Brookfield. Billy McCann added a very sharp 2-over par 35 while Daly and Kevin Troy carded rounds of 9-over par 42.

The locals proved, too, that even when the blades are not sharp they can still win. Putting together their worst composite score of the season on Tuesday, the ‘Hawks still nipped Joel Barlow, 173-175, at the Redding Country Club to improve to 8-1 overall.

Billy McCann and Oberstadt were co-medallists with rounds of 5-over par 41. Daly carded a 44 and McDade a 47 to lead the ‘Hawks. The Falcons challenged as Ernie DeLucia and Tim Hirst carded equal rounds of 6-over par 42.

So, the ‘Hawks were at Oronoque in Stratford on Wednesday for a battle with Bunnell and hosted Pomperaug on Thursday. They will host Notre Dame of Fairfield next Tuesday before hitting the road for a Wednesday tilt with Masuk. The locals will return home, though, on Thursday to host Joel Barlow.

GIRLS TENNIS

Newtown 7, Immaculate 0

Newtown 6, New Fairfield 1

Newtown 6, Stratford 1

It was a busy week, but a relatively easy one for the Newtown High School girls’ tennis team.

With wins over Immaculate, New Fairfield and Stratford the Lady Nighthawks improved to 7-4 overall, 7-2 in the South-West Conference – and this after dropping the first three matches of the season.

In the win over Immaculate, five of the seven individual matches were straight set wins. Kristene Salbu had the toughest go of it as she rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-2 win over Courtney Fuller. At No. 3 doubles, Erin Nemeth and Charlotte Manos battled to a 6-4, 4-6. 6-0 win over Allison Baughman and Mara Kilcullen.

In the win over New Fairfield, Salbu and Ciamarra enjoyed easy straight set wins but Maxx Zimmer and Jenna Himmelfarb had much tougher matches – Zimmer recording a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over Alana Simoncelli and Himmelfarb dropping a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 decision to Amanda Smyth. The locals won all three doubles matches in straight sets, though Nemeth and Manos did have to go to a second-set tiebreak before winning.

Newtown 7, Immaculate 0

SINGLES: Kristene Salbu (N) def Courtney Fuller 5-7, 6-3, 6-2; Christina Ciamarra def Sarah Desenroth 6-1, 6-1; Maxx Zimmer (N) def Mary Gover 6-4, 6-2; Jenna Himmelfarb (N) def Danya Foley 6-0, 6-2. DOUBLES: Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def Kara Bolotti/Ashley Ward 6-1, 6-1; Lauren DeFelice/Nikia McFadden (N) def Kristina Foley/Michele McCarthy 6-0, 6-0; Erin Nemeth/Charlotte Manos (N) def Allison Baughman/Mara Kilcullen 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.

 

Newtown 6, New Fairfield 1

SINGLES: Kristene Salbu (N) def Kristin Simoncelli 6-0, 6-0; Christina Ciamarra (N) def Megan Rettel 6-1, 6-0; Maxx Zimmer (N) def Alana Simoncelli 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; Amanda Smyth (NF) def Jenna Himmelfarb 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. DOUBLES: Katie Serock/Jenna Moser (N) def Biz Puglia/Brook Marion 6-2, 6-2; Nikia McFadden/Lauren DeFelice (N) def Ally Pearce/Kait Wekerle 6-3, 6-1; Erin Nemeth/Charlotte Manos (N) def Priyanka Nandakumar/Neha Nadakumar 6-4, 7-6 (7-0).

GIRLS LACROSSE

Newtown 17, New Milford 4

Newtown 18, Masuk 5

Newtown 15, New Fairfield 4

Sharing the wealth.

That is one of the philosophies of the Newtown High School girls’ lacrosse team – that, and providing sheer effort on defense – and all of that has allowed the Lady Nighthawks to storm out to an 11-1 overall record, 11-0 in the South-West Conference.

“Our girls give it all they have every time they step on the field,” said head coach Maura Fletcher. “They are unselfish.”

This week, the ‘Hawks pounded New Milford (17-4), Masuk (18-5) and New Fairfield (15-4) and before their last two wins were ranked No. 5 in Connecticut (according to laxpower.com) and 21st in New England.

The girls scored 17 times against New Milford, but it was the draw control of Libby Feltch and the defense and transition control of Erica Vacaro and Moira Collier that made the difference. Jen Greenwood scored four goals and assisted on four others while Moira Collier and Betsy Vendel scored three goals apiece. Rachel Maley and Lisa Vendel added two goals apiece.

The same story applied against Masuk – an 18-goal onslaught that was fueled by draw control by Feltch, defensive effort by Vacaro, and active scooping by Gleason and Lisa Vendel, who combined for 16 ground balls.

“We refer to our stellar defense as – WE BE D,” said coach Fletcher. “Our focus is on defense and sheer effort.”

Gleason scored six goals and assisted on three others in a marvelous offensive effort. Collier added four goals and an assist while Greenwood notched three goals and three assists. Maley, meanwhile, had a pair of goals and three assists.

The formula continued to improve on Tuesday night in a 15-4 win over New Fairfield that gave the locals their eighth win in a row. For the second game in a row, Gleason scored six times. Maley added four goals as Greenwood notched two more goals and three more assists.

The newest goal-scoring blitz has brought the Nighthawks’ total to 178 with four games left in the regular season.

The locals visited Pomperaug on Thursday and will host Wilton on Saturday. Next week, they will visit Brookfield on Tuesday before closing out the regular season on Friday against Notre Dame in a 7 pm contest at Blue & Gold Stadium.

Newtown 17, New Milford 4

GOALS: Newtown – Jen Greenwood 4, Moira Collier 3, Betsy Vendel 3, Rachel Maley 2, Lisa Vendel 2, Courtney Gleason, Libby Feltch, Erica Vacaro; New Milford – Sarah DaRos 2, Michelle Pearl, Christina Hess. ASSISTS: Newtown – Greenwood 4, Collier 2, Gleason 2, Maley, B. Vendel. SAVES: Newtown – Lisa Isabella 11.

 

Newtown 18, Masuk 5

GOALS: Newtown – Courtney Gleason 6, Moira Collier 4, Jen Greenwood 3, Rachel Maley 2, Katie McNulty; Masuk – Carin Czernbuski 3, Lisa Baver 2. ASSISTS: Newtown – Gleason 3, Maley 3, Greenwood 3, Collier; Masuk – Jen Piltz. SHOTS: Newtown – 29; Masuk – 9. SAVES: Newtown – Lisa Isabella 4; Masuk – Kristen Bardinelli 11.

 

Newtown 15, New Fairfield 4

GOALS: New Fairfield – Bridget Finerty 3, Ashley Stockman; Newtown – Courtney Gleason 6, Rachel Maley 4, Jen Greenwood 2, Erica Vacaro, Betsy Vendel, Moira Collier. ASSISTS: New Fairfield - Stefanie Burra; Newtown – Greenwood 3, Maley, Lisa Vendel, Vacaro, Gleason, Collier. SAVES: New Fairfield – Sam Ingrao 12; Newtown – Lisa Isabella 5.

 

BOYS TRACK

Newtown 111, Straford 39

NMHS 92.5, Newtown 57.5

 

They may be a little weak in the field events, but the Newtown High School boys track and field team has made a good accounting of itself through the first four meets of the season.

But the Nighthawks ran into the toughest part of their schedule on Monday and though they defeated Stratford, they fell to both Joel Barlow and New Milford to drop to 5-5 overall.

The relays continued to be strong with the 4x800 and 4x100 relays capturing first-place finishes while Matt Boland (100 dash) and Jamie Goodwick (200 dash) continued to dominate in the sprints.

Those were the only first-place finishes the locals enjoyed.

But Cody Cullens (100 hurdles, long jump), Kevin Hoyt (1,600 meters), Bonacci (javelin), Zach Schwartz (3,200 meters) and Scott Nichols (800 meters) did have good performances.

The ‘Hawks will close out the regular season on Monday against Bunnell and Masuk in Stratford.

 

TRACK EVENTS

4x800 relay: Newtown 8:32; 4x100 relay: Newtown 45.7; 110 high hurdles: Cieri (B) 16.09; 100 dash: Boland (N) 11.7; 1600 meters: Levene (B) 4:30.9; 400 meters: Jean-Baptiste (S) 53.5; 300 hurdles: M. Drost (NM) 43.5; 800 meters: Watson (NM) 2:00.3; 200 dash: Goodwick (N) 23.8; 3200 meters: Decrescenzo (NM) 9:43.9; 4x400 relay: New Milford 3:39.1.

 

FIELD EVENTS

Javelin: Eyerman 126-5; Discus: Paradiso (NM) 133-3; Shot put: Paradiso (NM) 41-9; Pole vault: Bradshaw (NM) 11-6; High jump: Sweeny (NM) 5-8; Long jump: Fallo (B) 20-3; Triple jump: Jean-Baptiste (S) 41-8.

 

BOYS LACROSSE

New Milford 16, Newtown 3

Conard 7, Newtown 5

New Fairfield 15, Newtown 7

 

Losses to New Milford, Conard and New Fairfield have sunk the reeling boys’ lacrosse team to 2-9 overall, 2-4 in the South-West Conference.

The Nighthawks  – who last won on April 23 in a 14-5 pounding of Masuk – might have been overmatched in their South-West Conference games, but competed well against Conard of West Hartford.

In a 16-3 loss to New Milford, Collin Babbage, Brian Reszoly and Zach D’Agostino all scored while Zach Varga notched an assist.

In a 15-7 loss to New Fairfield on Tuesday, Brendan Martin scored a pair of goals as D’Agostino, Christian Beitel, Will Mahony, Varga and Kyle O’Connor all scored. Reszoly and Varga provided assists and goalie Max Beitel made 15 saves.

In a 7-5 loss to Conard on Saturday, a two-goal effort by Martinand a one-goal, two-assist effort by Mahony gave the Nighthawks a chance.

Travis Speer had a goal and an assist while Babbage recorded a goal and Varga notched an assist.

The ‘Hawks hosted Pomperaug on Thursday and will host South Windsor on Saturday. They will stay home on Tuesday to take on Brookfield before closing out the regular season next Friday against Notre Dame of Fairfield.