Newtown High School’s softball team (weather permitting) had likely its biggest postseason tune-up and a possible South-West Conference championship game preview when Masuk of Monroe visited in makeup contest on Wednesday; Masuk won 8-4. The teams were originally scheduled to play two days earlier but the game was postponed due to weather forecasts of storms. As a result, the two top teams in the SWC appear headed on a collision course for a second clash in about a week, with the conference title game set for Wednesday, May 25.

First things first with quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled for May 21 and 24 for the right to advance to the pinnacle game at Stratford's DeLuca Field, but both teams went into their regular-season matchup with perfect records in SWC play and having posted wins over the other biggest threats in the conference.

The Nighthawks handed Brookfield only its second SWC defeat with a 4-1 win on the road, in a makeup battle, on May 13. Sydney Adolfson allowed just four hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out 13. NHS jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning, saw Brookfield tie things in the fourth, then came right back with two in the fifth and tacked on an insurance run in the seventh.

Ashley Hubner had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs batted in. Rachel Casagrande was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Julia Berry drove in a run, Madison Thoesen had a hit and an RBI, Noelle Marrazzo came through with a hit and run scored, and Adolfson doubled.

Newtown was coming off its second blowout win over a strong New Milford team (8-5 in conference play) heading into Wednesday’s season-finale; the Nighthawks, after blanking the Green Wave 8-0 on May 5, poured it on at the plate in a 14-0 road triumph on May 11. Adolfson tossed a one-hitter with no walks and ten strikeouts. Newtown was homer happy with Thoesen, Caroline Gardner, and Adolfson all flexing their muscles with homers. NHS had five extra-base hits as Adolfson and Maddy Twitchell both doubled.

All nine batters collected hits as the Nighthawks amassed 18 hits. Newtown jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and put up a five-spot in the fourth and another four runs in the seventh. Berry had a hit and three runs scored, Hubner collected a pair of hits, RBI, and three runs scored, Thoesen had two hits, five RBI, and two runs scored, Twitchell had two hits, an RBI, and run scored, Adolfson racked up three hits, two RBI, and a run scored, Morgan Melillo had three hits and an RBI, Gardner had two hits, two RBI, and a run scored, Marrazzo had two hits and two RBI, and Casagrande added a hit. Courtesy runners Hannah Galer and Sarah Hubner combined to score three runs.

The Nighthawks hosted Stratford on May 17 and won 13-1. Caroline Gardner got the start in the pitcher’s circle and allowed just one hit, issued one walk and fanned 13 batters.

At the plate, Newtown jumped out early with three runs in the first and broke things open with a seven-run fifth. The Nighthawks pounded out 15 hits.

Melillo, Casagrande, and Adolfson all had doubles, and Marrazzo tripled. Ashley Hubner had three hits, three RBI, and a run scored. Adolfson collected two hits and two RBI, Melillo had three hits and a pair of runs driven in. Berry had two hits, two RBI, and a run.

Masuk went into the regular-season game against Newtown having won 17 straight following a season-opening 2-0 loss to Fairfield Ludlowe. NHS went into the game riding an 11-game winning streak and 15-3 overall mark.

Newtown will host New Fairfield in the SWC quarterfinals on Saturday, May 21; the game is to be held at Treadwell Park starting at 7 pm.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.