By Kim J. Harmon

BETHEL – It wasn’t as easy as they had hoped, but the Newtown Babe Ruth 12-Year-Old All Stars still survived the District 5 Tournament in Bethel last week, capturing the championship – and advancing to the state tournament (see related story) – with a 2-0 win over Bethel.

Newtown collected just five hits – one of those, a fourth-inning homer by Mike Tibbets – to earn their second win over Bethel in as many days. Brian Cullinan, Joey DeVellis, Scott Suhoza and Ryan McGrath (double) had the only other hits.

That’s okay, though, because once again the pitching was phenomenal. Steve Marks and Tibbets combined on a brilliant three hitter, walking three batters and striking out nine along the way. Marks pitched the first three innings and allowed two hits – both singles – in the top of the third. Tibbets then came on and was unscathed until a single in the top of the sixth inning.

Newtown scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the third after Brian Cullinan banged a one-out single and then Tibbets and Suhoza were walked to load the bases. Joe Rahtelli followed with a sacrifice bunt that scored Cullinan.

Tibbett’s homer came with one out in the fourth.