GUILDERLAND –– The Lady Dutch softball team has scored one run in its first two games. Coach Beth Clement is looking for answers.

“We’re having an issue with compiling hits in the same inning,” said Clement after a 3- to-1 loss at home to Colonie on Wednesday. “We’ll get one hit and then nothing will happen after that.”

Guilderland had the bases loaded four different times in a 1-to-0 loss to Averill Park in its first game, but couldn’t get a run home. “That was an aggravating game to watch,” Clement said. “I need to convince my girls to be more aggressive with the bat on the first strike.”

Colonie started off with a 2-to-0 lead after Natalie Triano and Laura Loudis both hit doubles. Guilderland added its only run in the bottom of the first when Lauren Napoli crossed the plate off a sacrifice fly to right field.

Jess Reinhardt drove in another run for the Red Raiders in the third inning, making it 3 to 1. No other runs were scored in the game. The Lady Dutch had four hits and Colonie had nine.

Debra Schildt, Cori Hilt, and Jessica Saburro all threw pitches for Guilderland. The team was preparing for Colonie’s dangerous offense.

“We knew that they were a really good hitting team so I tried to fool them with different pitchers,” said Clement. “There was a different pitcher for each time through their batting order. They got hits, but only three runs. The defense was commendable.”

Coach Clement and Coach Maria DeNovio are running the team this year after the departure of Jen Ficarra. “We were assistants under her, but she moved on to care for her family,” Clement said.

The third inning ended when Napoli was caught stealing third base after she successfully stole second. Allison Mullen ripped a double for Colonie in the fourth, putting Krystle Phillips on third. Guilderland threw out Phillips at home to end the threat.

The stellar Lady Dutch defense continued in the top of the fifth when Karen Lima made a diving catch in right field. Rebecca Fitzgerald showed off her glove in the sixth inning when she robbed a line drive from Loudis, again ending a Colonie scoring threat.

“Catching that ball was a relief because a lot was on the line,” said Fitzgerald after the game. “The ball cut back sharply and I snagged it. I guess my instincts took over.”

Talyor TenEyck hit a single for the Dutch in the sixth inning, but the team couldn’t muster another hit. Morgan TenEyck looked to give Guilderland hope with a single in the final inning, but, again, the team couldn’t supply support.

Red Raider pitcher Jami Cordell struck out Beth Meyers and the game was over.

“I don’t know why we can’t get any offense going,” said DeNovio. “Hopefully, we’ll figure it out. Our defense will look a lot better if we can back it up with some runs.”