Newtown High School's baseball team had contributions from every spot in the batting order, including a trio of players recording their first varsity hits, as the Nighthawks rolled to an 11-2 win over the visiting Shepaug Valley Spartans in the April 6 season opener.

Freshman Trevor Stott, sophomore Cam Kullgren, and junior Sean Caron all collected their first varsity hits as part of an 11-base hit effort. Additionally, Stott made his pitching debut on relief and recorded his first four strikeouts in two scoreless frames. All three players received game balls from Coach Ian Thoesen.

"It was a lot of fun," said Stott, who used his slider and changeup to keep opposing batters on their heels, and allowed only one hit in his two frames.

The varsity newcomers were part of a collective team effort as several Nighthawks made contributions at the plate as well as on the bases, and in the field. On the mound, starting pitcher Jamie Piccuillo was in shutdown mode, fanning seven batters and allowing four hits; both runs were unearned. Piccuillo was given an early lead as the Nighthawks put three runs on the board in the first inning and added three more in the second.

"It felt good. Playing with a lead ... it helps a lot. It just gives me more confidence," said Piccuillo, who throws an array of pitches — mixing in fastballs, sliders, splitters, and sinkers — to keep opposing hitters guessing. Piccuillo said the team is happy to be back at it on the field and the energy was great in game one.

"Jamie was great today. He's our ace, our horse. He was attacking hitters today," Thoesen said of his starter, who tossed 80 pitches in five innings.

At the plate, the Hawks worked six walks, had four hit batters, and reached on a trio of errors. Thoesen was pleased with the approach at the plate, putting the bat on the ball, to put pressure on the opposing fielders.

"We're always stressing 'put the ball in play," the Newtown coach said. "It's a great first win of the season."

Chris Moseman and Kullgren both had two hits. Senior captain Jack Carta and Kullgren each drove in two runs, providing key contributions in the middle of the lineup. Stott also helped his own cause with an RBI, and Lucian Place and Carta added a run batted in. Senior captain Kieran Garrity and Moseman each scored three runs and Place scored twice.

Newtown wasted no time setting the tone, although it took some two-out, two strike hits walks to get things going. Garrity and Moseman had one-out walks and Kulgren reached on an infield single to load the bases. Carta worked the count full before drawing a base on balls to force in the first run. Stott reached on an error that plated two more runs.

In the second, Garrity singled down the left field line, Moseman singled and Garrity scored as a result of an error on the play, Place ripped an RBI single, and the Nighthawks added another run in the frame. The Hawks tacked on their seventh run in the third when JT Walsh singled and scored on a first and third double steal with Garrity beating the throw to second and Walsh swiping home. NHS answered a pair of Spartan runs in the top of the fifth with a four-spot in the bottom half of the inning.

After Caron laced a single and Travis Rekos singled, a wild pitch produced a run for an 8-2 lead. Garrity and Moseman walked to load the bases. Kullgren hit a sacrifice fly to center for a 9-2 Nighthawk advantage. Carta had a two-out, two-strike single to right center for a 10-2 cushion, and Stott added a two-out, two-strike run-scoring single to left.

Newtown displayed its power and speed with some line drive hits and four stolen bases, including one by Kullgren.

The Nighthawks got back at it the next day with a visit to Governor’s Park in Ridgefield to take on the Tigers. Newtown put together a strong offensive showing, but fell 13-9 in a game that was called in the bottom of the sixth inning due to darkness.

Newtown jumped out with early scoring opportunities, loading the bases in the first inning, but couldn’t capitalize. Missed chances continued in the third, when two more runners were left in scoring position — momentum that would prove costly as Ridgefield broke through in a big way with six unearned runs in the third inning; the Nighthawks had a tough day in the field with six errors when all was said and done.

NHS answered with a six spot of its own in the top of the fourth and matched Ridgefield's run in the bottom of the fourth with one of its own in the fifth to tie things at 7-7. The Tigers scored three in the bottom of the fifth. NHS responded with two in the top of the sixth only to see Ridgefield add to a slim lead with three more in the last of the sixth.

Garrity got the start on the mound for the Nighthawks, pitching two innings while allowing four hits and striking out three. Jacob Buckley provided solid relief, going three innings while allowing just two hits and striking out five. He surrendered four runs, three of them earned. Moseman took over in the sixth inning and recorded two outs before the game was halted, allowing three hits and three runs (one earned).

Newtown outhit Ridgefield 11-9 in a balanced team effort. Garrity, Piccuillo, and Place each collected two hits to lead the charge. Piccuillo’s performance was highlighted by a ringing double that smashed off the centerfield fence. Rekos, Moseman, Kullgren, Walsh, and Luke Libero all contributed with one hit apiece. Run production was spread throughout the lineup, with Garrity, Piccuillo, and Place each driving in two runs. Moseman and Walsh added one RBI each. On the basepaths, Rekos, Stott, and Oscar Nordt each stole a base.

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