The Newtown Hammerin' Hawgs have qualified for the 14U Babe Ruth State Tournament championship round and will take on host and defending champion Trumbull at Unity Park on Thursday, July 12. First pitch is set for 7:30 pm.

Coming out of the loser's bracket, the Hawgs must beat Trumbull to force a winner-take-all game on Friday, July 13, also at 7:30 pm. Trumbull needs just one win to capture the championship.

After losing 11-1 to Trumbull, the Hammerin' Hawgs lived up to their name, defeating Waterford 10-1 on July 9, Amity of Woodbridge 18-4 on July 10, then the Darien Blue Hawks 10-0 in a mercy-rule, six-inning shortened game on July 11 to qualify for the pinnacle round.

"We've been doing it all year. The best thing about this is, one through 12. everybody contributes," said Hawgs Manager Chris Petersen, whose team defeated Danbury 11-1 to capture the Western Connecticut District Championship.

Against Darien, pitcher Matt Pietrorazio earned the win for the Hawgs, giving up only two hits, while striking out five batters in four innings of work. Zack Majeski closed the game for Newtown, giving up only one hit in relief.

Drew Poseno went 3-for-4. David Braun, Dylan Goyette (who hit a triple in the fourth), and Pietrorazio each had two hits.

Majeski, the leadoff hitter, singled, walked, and scored a run; Jack Petersen walked and scored twice; Steven Cotton walked and scored; and Ryan Heran had an RBI single, walked twice, and scored.

The Hawgs scored a run in the first, two in each the second and third innings, and four in the fourth, before plating the game-ending run in the sixth. Both teams played well in the field, each committing only one error.

Braun, in addition to his work in the batter's box, made a pair of nice plays in left field. Chris Petersen noted that Braun returned to the lineup only the day before after suffering a broken thumb while catching in the first game of the season. The coach said Braun's ability to bounce-back and play at a high level is something he sees in the entire team.

"We're the Hawgs. We don't let things bother us. We don't mind coming from the loser's bracket," the coach said.