GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland softball coach, Jen Maxwell, is confident that her team will continue to make strides in its return trip to the top of Section II.

The Lady Dutch have taken small steps the past couple of years and a very big step could be taken this season.
"Our overall attitude is positive," Maxwell said. "A lot of the girls play all year round. They are dedicated to softball."

This year’s edition of the varsity Lady Dutch will be strong with their gloves. The bats might be stronger than what they have had in recent years.
"This is the best defensive team I’ve had yet," Maxwell said. "We have some strong hitters this year."

The Dutch will be led by five seniors.

Bridget Schultz will return to play in center field.
"Bridget made the all-star team last year," Maxwell said. "She is a good role model. She has an awesome work ethic and her mentality rubs off on the team."

Ashley Wyland will also be a very key player for the Lady Dutch. She will be in the pitching circle for the third straight year.
"We have Ashley back and that’s really good," Maxwell said. "She has been on the team for two years and she is looking good this year. She is going to Nichols College and will play softball, so she’s stepping up."

Nancy DeLeon will play in right field and has varsity experience. Katrina Ernest returns to play catcher.

The fifth senior is newcomer Julia Ostrowski.

Junior Amanda Neal returns to play in the infield. Classmate Tricia Loux will play at first base and Toni Gaspary will play in the outfield.

The team also has three sophomores.

Jen McCutcheon will be the back-up pitcher. Michelle Giwerc will play at third base and Sarah Heller will also see time in the infield.
"She is a die-hard softball player," Maxwell said. "She doesn’t talk much, but the other girls respect her because she is such a good player."

Marissa Valletta is the only ninth-grader on the team and will see time at second base this spring.
"Valletta really surprised me at tryouts," Maxwell said. "She did really well at the tryouts and earned a spot."

"Closer and closer"

The Guilderland players have set some goals for themselves this year.
"Our goal is to make the sectionals," Maxwell said. "Every year we get closer and closer. We are building from the bottom up. We got some consistency. We have the same coaches and it is finally coming through."

The softball program did have a couple of changes at the lower levels. Allison Dollar moves up from the ninth-grade team to coach the junior varsity and Danielle Gianetto takes over the ninth graders.

The Dutch program also has a new coach for the modified team, Maxwell said.
"It’s a nice change," Maxwell said. "To have your j.v. coach working at the school and we share the same philosophy. It’s working out pretty well."

The program looks to have some strong times ahead of it.
"The future looks good," Maxwell said. "We had over 50 kids try out for the modified team."

The teams will benefit from the decent spring weather they have had this pre-season.
"The first week of tryouts, we were inside two or three days," Maxwell said. "We get out as much as we can. If it’s not raining, it’s not freezing. The field is in good shape. Last year, we had to cancel one of our early scrimmages. This year, they should be able to go and that is really exciting."