STRATFORD — Newtown High School's softball team, the No. 3 seed, was beaten 8-2 by No. 2 Masuk of Monroe in the South-West Conference Tournament semifinals at DeLuca Field on May 27.

The Nighthawks were shut down by pitch Julia Bacoulis who lost her no-hit bid on Gillian Boughan's infield single, which plated two runs, in the top of the sixth inning. Bacoulis no-hit Newtown in the regular season. She struck out 17 batters in the playoff matchup.

Masuk hit four home runs, including three when the Panthers broke open the game with a seven spot in the fourth. The Panthers will take on No. 1 Brookfield in the May 29 title game, also at DeLuca. NHS, Masuk and Brookfield were in a three-way tie for first and a draw determined the seedings.

Newtown will look to bounce back in the Class LL State Tournament and will likely have a Monday, June 2, first round home game.

Read more about the Nighthawks in the May 30 print edition of The Bee.