Newtown High School's softball team battled to an 11-5 season-opening victory over host Fairfield Warde on April 7. The Nighthawks trailed 4-2 going to the fourth, but put up four runs in the frame, highlighted by a Gabby Ansman three-run home run, and tacked on three more in the sixth and two in the seventh to pull away.

Everybody in the lineup contributed at least a hit or run batted in, and seven Nighthawks crossed home plate at least once in the victory. Addy Cordova led off and went 3-for-5 with a double and two runs batted in; Lila Accousti walked twice and scored two runs; Reagan Schenzer had a hit, walk, and two runs scored; Ansman walked and drove in four; Gillian Boughan had a walk and two RBI; Olivia Doersch drove in a run; B.B. Diorio had a hit, walk, and two runs scored; Elena Burdo doubled and scored; and Evelynn Schoen also had a hit and run scored.

In the pitcher's circle, Cordova went the distance, allowing seven hits, three earned runs, and two walks, while striking out eight.

This was a rematch of last year's Class LL State Tournament quarterfinal when No 6 Warde defeated No 14 Newtown 4-2.

The Nighthawks, following Wednesday's 5-0 win over Trumbull (read about the game in the April 17 edition of The Bee), visit Weston Saturday, April 11 at 11 am and are home for back-to-back games, Tuesday, April 14 to entertain St Joseph of Trumbull at 4 pm and Wednesday, April 15, when New Milford visits at 4:15 pm.