By Steve Bigham

The Newtown High School softball season came to an end May 31 when the team dropped its fifth 1-0 decision of the year. This time it came against powerhouse Southington in the second round of the CIAC class `LL’ state tournament.

The Nighthawks simply could not generate enough offense to back the fine pitching performance of outgoing senior Cathy Byrne, who tossed another gem against the second-seeded Blue Knights. And the home team finally made the locals pay in the bottom of the seventh inning. Three straight singles allowed the winning run to score.

But like in so many other games this season, Newtown kept it close against one of the state’s elite teams with pitching and solid defense. Hitting has been another story, however, and the lack of it hurt the Nighthawks’ chances of having a monster season. The club finished with a .220 batting average, which was lower than last year when it won just six games.

Newtown’s best chance to score came in the top of the seventh inning when Kate Bouteiller and Byrne led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Both managed to move up a base, so with runners at second and third and nobody out Newtown appeared on the verge of something big. But after a ground out to first, the next two batters struck out to end the rally. Southington made the Nighthawks pay moments later.

As Coach Paul LaFrancesca pointed out, the 1-0 loss typified Newtown’s season – great pitching and a shortage of timely hitting. Nevertheless, the coach was pleased with the 2000 season.

“I’m very proud of them. We have come very far in one year. It’s disappointing to know you were that close, but it’s very satisfying knowing you can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the state.”

Senior Kristen Bandura doubled early on for Newtown’s only other hit.

“They gave it all they had. We had three runners in scoring position and we just needed one more hit. We were just unable to come up with it,” LaFrancesca said.

The Nighthawks, who finished 13-9, found themselves in every game this season as all-SWC pitcher Byrne struck out 253 batters – 109 more than her nearest SWC rival. She graduates with 647 K’s for her career, a school record.

The defense behind Byrne also improved, reducing the number of errors committed from 42 last year to 30 this year. Newtown also stole more bases and drove in more runs despite hitting for a lower average.

In addition to Byrne, Newtown also loses Bandura, Lauren McCusker and Andrea Rustine.

Bandura, a senior captain, was considered to be the glue of the team, helping to keep her club united through thick and thin. With her lethal bat, she could break a game wide open. The talented outfielder was selected to the all-Colonial team this spring.

McCusker, the team’s second baseman, received honorable mention to the all-Colonial team after leading the team in on base percentage.

“I wish I had nine like her. She was a great leader and helped to keep the team focused,” LaFrancesca said.

As for Byrne, the Newtown coach knows the school might never see another player on the same level. He called her senior season one of the best Connecticut has ever seen.

“They don’t come any better than that kid. The best thing about her is all the girls love to play behind her. She’s embarrassed by her success,” he said.

The opponent batted just .154 against Byrne this season. She averaged 12.1 strikeouts per game.

Bouteiller, the team’s junior shortstop, was an all-Colonial team selection, while sophomore first baseman Kristin Caposella was an honorable mention selection to the all-Colonial Division team.

Caposella is expected to be next year’s pitcher and her coach expects the team’s hitting to improve. He is anticipating the return of leading hitter Jodi Minalgo, a sophomore, who missed the entire season with a back injury. Also missing was junior Amanda Marsillio, who was forced to sit out the season with a knee injury.

“We can’t wait to go back out there next year,” LaFrancesca said.