Softball notebook

This week Newtown got an early taste of the upcoming SWC playoffs (May 19-22). Wednesday, the Nighthawks avenged an early season loss to Bunnell with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory in Stratford. Tonight, weather permitting, Newtown gets a crack to even the score with Lauralton Hall under the lights at Treadwell Park. The Crusaders defeated the Nighthawks 2-0 on April 2 — the first day of the season. Since those back-to-back losses, Newtown has posted a 13-1 record. The only setback was a 2-1 loss to undefeated Trumbull. Most importantly, Newtown is 11-0 in SWC play, which makes today's game against Lauralton Hall doubly important as the Crusaders also are unbeaten within the league. The winner of the clash has the inside track at a No. 2 seed, thus avoiding a possible date with defending league champion Masuk and Rachele Fico until the final.

"It's important, because no matter who you're playing you want to avoid that No. 1 seed," Newtown coach Bob Guerrera said. "The thing is, you want to peak at the right time and we've been playing really good lately."

Guerrera said his team was "galvanized" during a trip to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex during April break. Newtown played six games in Florida, which allowed the team to get consistent swings, which wasn't always the case during the inconsistent spring weather in Connecticut. While the hitting came around, Newtown relied on ace Jenna Legros.

"She's a battler," Guerrera said. "She's a tough kid and a hard worker."

Meanwhile, the middle of the order, led by sophomore No. 3 hitter Katie Bowen, has found its groove, with Kelly Tenney, Joanna Barry and Katie Schmidt making contributions as well.

"There are some great teams in our league and I've nervous every game you know agita," Guerrera said. "But no matter who we're playing, we've got to keep grinding."

ANOTHER CHANCE — Foran thought it was in pretty good shape to pick up its eighth win of the season Monday at Hillhouse and qualify for the state tournament. The Lions led 7-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth before chaos ensued in the form of gunshots ringing out less than 100 yards from where the junior varsity team was playing. The daylight shooting left a New Haven man in the hospital and the status of the Foran/Hillhouse game in question. Foran coach Scott Davie said the schools will play Tuesday in Milford but was unsure whether the game would be resumed or start from scratch. "It certainly was a heavy dose of reality for the girls," Davie said. Foran met with a crisis counselor the following day and held a light practice in the afternoon. The Lions returned to the field Wednesday, but fell to Guilford 8-4. "It was important for us to get back out there," Davie said. Foran, which finished 5-15 in 2007, ought to find its way back to the state tournament in its final games. Strong hitting from junior catcher Candace Wright and freshman designated player Rachel Booth have helped the Lions while freshman pitcher Taylor Harkness gets acclimated to varsity ball.

SAC BUNTS — St. Joseph coach Jeff Vingo picked up his 400th victory Monday with a dramatic 5-4 victory over Greenwich as the Cadets plated three in the bottom of the seventh. Talk about surprises, Fairfield Warde, despite the loss of several seniors, including standout pitcher Chelsea VanDerheyden, improved to 12-4 with its win Wednesday over crosstown rival Fairfield Ludlowe. Starter Gina Treglia allowed three hits over eight scoreless innings. Warde had gone hitless against Ludlowe starter Becky Foster until breaking through in the eighth. The schedule gets a bit trickier for Warde down the stretch, beginning today with Wilton. Mike Cardillo covers softball. He can be reached at 330-6210.

THE WEEK'S BEST

BATTERS
-Gina Treglia, Fairfield Warde — Hit a walk-off double to lift Warde over Stamford. n Chelsea Glynn, St. Joseph — Hit a two-run homer in a win over Greenwich. n Christine Leo, Masuk — Had four hits, including a two-run triple, in a 22-0 win over Stratford.
-Isha Ford, Harding — Hit a home run in a win over Bassick.
-Natasha Wasik, Law — Went 4-for-4 with four runs scored in a win over Hillhouse.
-Megan Jones, Ansonia — Went 5-for-5 in a win over Sacred Heart.

PITCHERS
-Rachele Fico, Masuk — Threw a 10-inning perfect game with 25 strikeouts in a 1-0 win over Bunnell. Followed that with her 14th career perfect game in a 22-0 win over Stratford on Tuesday.
-Micki Keltos, St. Joseph — Threw a two-hit shutout over Fairfield Ludlowe.
-Christina Gelardi, Derby — Threw a one-hit shutout vs. Branford.

GAMES TO WATCH
-Lauralton Hall at Newtown, today, 7, Treadwall Park
-Law at Hand, today, 4
-Lauralton Hall at Bunnell, Monday, 4
-St. Joseph at Ridgefield, Monday, 4