The state champion Newtown 10U Hawks baseball team competed in pool play in the Cal Ripken New England Regional Tournament in New Milford the weekend of July 18-19 and defeated River Valley, Maine and Chelmsford, Mass. Highlights are as follows:

Newtown 15, River Valley, Maine 6: The Hawks jumped out in front in the bottom of the first inning after Ethan Deming singled home a run, Benji Scholz drew a walk to force in a run, Drew Van Scotter singled and scored a run, Connor Plunkett doubled to drive in a pair, and Ryan Stott singled home two more. Newtown added to its lead in the bottom of the second inning when Deming doubled down the right field line, Van Scotter singled to center field, and Plunkett hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. Newtown scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Stott singled to drive in two, DJ Macaluso hit a sacrifice fly, Bryce Memoli singled a run in, and Van Scotter lined out to drive in a run.

Sawyer Matta began the game for the Hawks. The righty gave up one hit over two scoreless innings, striking out two and walking one. Stott, Plunkett, and Van Scotter each came on in relief for the Hawks.

Newtown 6, Chelmsford, Mass. 3 (nine innings): In what was described as one of the best 10-year-old baseball games many spectators have ever seen, Newtown came away with a thrilling extra-inning win. Newtown trailed 1-0 early but came back to take the lead in the second on a ground out by Christopher Tortora. Chelmsford tied the game at two in the bottom of the sixth with a double down the right field line.

The score stayed that way as Deming threw another gem for Newtown before handing the ball to Matta in the sixth. Chelmsford had runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Newtown intentionally walked the No 2 hitter, setting up a bases loaded force out anywhere situation. The batter grounded to first baseman Scholz, who backhanded the ball and fired to catcher Memoli, who got the force out at home. The next batter flew out to Nick Strong, preserving the tie and keeping the Hawks alive.

Newtown captured the lead, 6-2, in the top of the ninth when Anderson Sterner — with two strikes and ice in his veins — laid down a beautiful bunt for a single, scoring one run. Memoli then tripled, scoring two runs, and Strong added an RBI single.

Deming opened the game and allowed six hits and two runs over five and one-third innings, striking out four and walking two. Matta tossed two and two-thirds innings of scoreless ball. Plunkett finished the game with an inning of quality relief pitching to seal it for the Hawks.

Newtown 6, Exeter, N.H. 0: Scholz was absolutely dominant in five innings of work before handing the ball to Sterner, who preserved the shutout. Deming collected three hits in three at bats; he tripled in the fifth inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the second inning.

A single by Van Scotter put the Hawks on the board in the top of the second. A fielder's choice by Strong and a single by Deming helped the Hawks extend their lead in the third. Scholz, Memoli, Santiago Puebla, and Van Scotter each collected multiple hits for the Hawks.

Newtown advanced to the elimination round to face the winners of Vermont and Maine on Wednesday, July 22 at 11 am. With a win, the Hawks play in the championship game the next day at 2 pm as the team looks to reach the World Series in Stafford, Va. in August. Regional games take place at Garick Farms Park, 60 Boardman Road in New Milford.