The U10 Newtown Hawks baseball team defeated the Milford Bandits 3-2 in the Cal Ripken State Tournament championship game at the Glander Field Complex on Sunday, July 12. This marks the second straight year this group has captured the Connecticut title.

With the win, the Hawks advance to the New England Regional Tourney to be held in New Milford in mid to late July.

Newtown did not lose a game in the double-elimination state tourney. The Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and, after surrendering a run in the late innings, tacked on a key insurance run for a 3-1 lead before hanging on.

Milford out hit the Hawks 12-5 but the efforts of pitchers Ethan Deming and Sawyer Matta, coupled with some strong defensive plays, held off the Bandits.

A bases-loaded walk by Benji Scholz and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Drew Van Scotter produced the first two runs. After the Bandits scored in fifth they left the bases loaded to end the inning with Newtown still in front.

Deming delivered a sac fly in the bottom of the fifth for a 3-1 Newtown lead. Milford scored in the sixth before Matt escaped a second and third jam.