The Newtown Hawks 12-and-under travel team will have to take some solace in the fact that it was the one that knocked Stamford into the Loser’s Bracket of the Connecticut Babe Ruth State Tournament.

But it will only be of small comfort to coach Nancy Bowen as the Hawks were eventually knocked out of the tournament – which was, for the first time, held in Newtown – with consecutive losses to Brookfield and Stamford.

Those two teams met on Monday night in the tournament final with Stamford coming out on top.

The locals opened the tournament with a 20-0 shellacking of New Canaan. Rachel Ruiz went 3-for-4 with four RBI while Sarah Ferris ripped a three-run double. Kate Bowen also doubled as Ashley Kuligowski, Paige Woodhouse, Amanda Nealy, Nicole Elias and Natalie Dunn each banged out singles and Colleen Cunningham scored a run.

Ally Modzelewski and Stephanie Sanchez combined on the rubber for the shutout. Modzelewski – named the MVP of the game – also shined in the field, snaring a screaming line drive at second and turning a double play.

The Hawks followed up with a stunning 4-1 win over Stamford as Bowen fired a four-hitter, striking out four while issuing no walks.

The locals took advantage of three walks (Bowen, Kuligowski and Ruiz) in the first inning as Modzelewski drove in the first run with a fielder’s choice liner to right field. In the second, Natalie Dunn walked and stolen second and scored on a double off the bat of Bowen. After Stamford scored in the bottom of the second, Bowen roped a two-run single in the fourth inning, driving in Dunn and Sanchez, and pushing the Newtown lead to 4-1.

All the damage was done on just two hits.

Modzelewski was once again outstanding in the field, making seven plays at second base (in the fifth, she made all three putouts). Kuligowski was strong behind the play, throwing out a runner attempting to steal.

“We only had two hits, but their pitcher was pretty good,” said coach Bowen. “I am so proud of my team; they really came to play and got the job done. Every time we play Stamford it is a tight game.”

Bowen was awarded the game MVP medal for her outstanding efforts on the mound and 2-for-2 effort at the plate.

The locals could not keep the momentum going, however, and dropped a 7-4 decision to Brookfield. The Hawks scored all of their runs in the fourth inning off hits by Kuligowski and Ruiz. Modzelewski (six strikeouts) and Sanchez (five strikeouts) pitched well in defeat. Cunningham also threw an inning and did well.

Kelly Burton scored a run for Newtown.

The tournament came to a conclusion for the Hawks in the next game, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stamford. Bowen pitched a complete game, scattering two hits while striking out four. The defense of Nealy (third base), Ruiz (shortstop), Modzelewski (second base) and Dunn (first base) played error free softball.

Stamford scored the only run of the game on an infield single and bloop hit to right.

U10

The Newtown Hawks 10-and-under travel team has been in a bit of a rut lately, winning just once in a run of five games. A 15-0 win over Redding on July 6 at Liberty Field was their shining moment. The games:

 

Stamford 10, Hawks 3 – Taylor Brady, Colleen Durkin and Jackie Kissack played well in the Hawks’ second loss of the year.

Hawks 15, Redding 0 – The locals avenged an opening day loss and improved to 5-2 as Erin Begg, Emma Herring and Ashley Cirone combined on a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts. Taylor Brady, Jessica Jowdy, Maggie Kennedy, Madison Hauck and Jessica Gibbons hit well for the Hawks as Kendall Svanda, Jackie Kissack and Tara Dawley played solid defense for Newtown.

Bethel 8, Hawks 3 – Colleen Durkin, Ali Kennedy, Stephanie Roman and Katelyn Dandrea played well in a tough loss to Bethel.

Ridgefield 6, Hawks 5 – Emma Herring pitched well for Newtown while Ashley Cirone and Erin Begg hit the ball hard for Hawks, but it wasn’t enough. Madison Hauck, Kendall Svanda, Stephanie Roman, Maggie Kennedy and Taylor Brady played well in the field.

Norwalk 14, Hawks 4 – A rash of injuries derailed Newtown’s efforts on a hot Sunday afternoon. Ashley Cirone had a solid hit and Jackie Kissack did well on the mound to lead the Hawks. Jessica Gibbons, Ali Kennedy, Jessica Jowdy, Erin Begg and Colleen Durkin played well in the field.

U14

Hawks 19, Ridgefield 11 – Katie Kirrane collected three hits, scored three runs, and pitched well as the Hawks improved to 3-0. Marley Koschel provided solid defense behind the plate while Zoe Osimanti and Chrsitine Beck dazzled the crowd with  hustling defense gems that killed two Ridgefield rallies.

Hawks 16, Brookfield 4 – Katie Kirrane went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs to lead the Hawks past Brookfield in the opener of the Connecticut Babe Ruth State Tournament. Kaitlan Marsden and Alyssa Robinson collected three hits apiece while Kristen Brassard played well in the field.

Stamford 14, Hawks 5 – Katie Kirrane put together a gutsy pitching performance, but the Hawks fell to Stamford. Kirrane also had two hits while Carolyn Gingras had a pair of hits. Marley Koschel and Rachel Marcucilli played well in the field.

U16

Newtown 6, Watertown 4 – The Hawks rallied back from a four-run deficit, scoring five times in the seventh inning to defeat Watertown. Nicole Alberico led off the inning with a walk, Kaity Herwig and Ally Kirk followed with walks and that set the stage for a two-run single by Annie Grills. Then Sarah Greenfield was hit by a pitch and Lisa Alberico walked and with the bases loaded Sophie Cerreta delivered a single which sealed put the Hawks on top. Amanda Schiffer and Mariale Renna allowed just six hits against a very powerful hitting Watertown team. Defensively, Ali Legros made a lunging catch in the seventh inning and Herwig threw out a runner trying to steal second base.

Hawks 12, Roxbury 2 – The Hawks banged out 10 hits and improved to 8-2 in a defeat of Roxbury. Sarah Greenfield blasted a triple while Nicole Alberico and Katie Herwig each singled twice and scored two runs. Jenna Van Waalwijk, Annie Grills, Kate Kelleher and Mariale Renna rounded out the hitting with singles. Lisa Alberico reached base twice with two walks and contributed an RBI. Amanda Schiffer and Renna also had key RBIs.