By Steve Bigham

EAST HAVEN – Senior Laura Howard made the most of her first-ever varsity start this past Saturday, smashing a home run in helping lead the Newtown High School softball team to a 6-3 extra-inning win over East Haven.

The non-league game was played as part of the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) tournament.

Howard’s solo blast into the left center field gap actually came in the fifth inning, but it sparked Newtown’s comeback from being down 3-1. In all, the seldom-used utility player collected three hits and drove in two runs.

“Laura put the energy back into the team. She’s a perfect example of a team player. She’s just a joy to have on your team or in your program,” said Coach Paul LaFrancesca.

Howard’s homer was followed by a homerun off the bat of freshman second baseman Trina Ramsdell, another solo shot that tied the game.

“We don’t go into extra innings without those homers,” LaFrancesca said.

Then, sophomore Brittany Hutchinson drove home the game-winning run in the 10th inning on a fielder’s choice. Sophomore Nicole Mangarella also had a standout game for the Nighthawks, who have an impressive list of underclassmen who should help carry the team to new heights in the coming seasons. Ramsdell and junior Jessica Omasta both had two hits for Newtown.

On Monday, Newtown’s hopes of a return to the South-West Conference playoffs were dashed following an 8-0 loss to Foran at Treadwell Park. Foran is one of the league’s top teams and features several all-state caliber players, including pitcher Shea Munroe, who recorded 10 strikeouts against Newtown.

“We just came up against a more solid opponent,” LaFrancesca said.

Kristin Caposella and Lauren Blomberg both had two hits for the locals. Blomberg, a junior third baseman, was a standout in the field as well, making several fine plays.

Monday was senior night and the team honored their three senior players – Howard, first baseman Amanda Marsilio and shortstop Kate Bouteiller, the team’s captain who LaFrancesca says is one of the school’s all-time great softball players.

Newtown, 6-8 in the SWC and 9-9 overall, qualified for the CIAC state tournament May 9 when it banged out 15 hits in a 9-2 win over Joel Barlow.

Freshman Kate Fenton continued her outstanding season by going 3-for-3, while Ramsdell, Jamie Lindquist and Jodi Minalgo all collected a pair of hits.

On Saturday, Newtown lost to Lauralton Hall, 7-1, in the first game of the MADD tournament. The game did count toward the SWC standings. Hall scored all of its runs with two outs. Once again, Fenton swung a fine bat, going 2-for-3. She was batting 8-for-14 for the season heading into Wednesday’s game against Weston.

The Nighthawks close out the regular season Thursday afternoon against Kolbe. Newtown will then begin play in the state tournament sometime later this month and LaFrancesca is hoping his club can make some late-season noise.