Timely hitting, along with strong pitching and defense propelled No. 2 seed Forest Construction to a 6-2 win over No. 1 Mediassociates in Newtown Women’s Softball Championship game held at Treadwell Park on August 15.

After merging with Bethel’s league for the past few summers the Newtown contingent brought on two new teams — Better Homes Remodeling and Burgerittoville — and stayed in town this time around. All of the teams competed in the playoffs with the top two seeds emerging for the title game matchup.

In the pinnacle contest Forest Construction’s Ella Iszczyszyn drove in three runs, Mal Knutson delivered three hits and batted in two, and Katie Gillick had three hits, including a triple, and an RBI. Gillick and Knutson had hits in the first inning as Forest Construction jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. JoAnn Jeche, Knutson, and Iszczyszyn had hits as the team added three runs in the fourth.

A triple by Cara Lennon, and singles by Shauna Tucker and Rosie Conrad helped Mediassociates score their two runs in the fourth. Forest Construction scored two more in the top of the seventh with hits by Knutson, Annabella Pastorok, and Jahna Nixon helping to solidify the win.

Both teams played excellent defense with contributions for Forest Construction by Chris Jannott and Gillick in the outfield and Iszczyszyn and Nixon and first and third base, respectively. For Mediassociates, Lennon, Bri Hart, Courtney Kowcheris, and Shauna Tucker were flawless in the field.

Mediassociates shortstop Lennon threw to catcher Tucker to cut down a run. Pitchers Chris Clark (Forest Construction) and Shelby Rotunda (Mediassociates) put good spin on the ball to keep the bats in check throughout much of the evening.

“What a game! Mediassociates kept us on our toes the entire time. We played a solid game — this team gels so well together and we have a lot of fun on and off the field. We’re all good friends and that makes winning the championship that much sweeter,” said Jannott, captain of Forest Construction.

Dental Associates was the No. 3 seed and Castle Hill Chocolate No. 4; No. 5 Better Homes Remodeling, and No. 6 Burgerittoville rounded out the playoff picture.

In the first round, Mediassociates and Forest Construction had first round byes. Dental Associates defeated Burgerittoville 20-12 at Treadwell; Castle Hill Chocolate topped Better Homes 24-10 at Dickinson Park. In the semifinals, Mediassociates beat Castle Hill Chocolate 11-5 at Treadwell and Forest Construction defeated Dental Associates 14-2 at Dickinson.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.