GUILDERLAND — The Guilderland softball team is still working towards its goal, despite a setback on Friday.

The Lady Dutch dropped a 6-5 decision to Bethlehem at a Friday afternoon game played under gray skies and some rain. The game was part of the Pine Bush Girls Softball League opening ceremonies held on Friday at Keenholts Park in Guilderland Center.

“It was a tough loss,” said Guilderland Coach Jen Ficarra. “The bats woke up a little late. I expected to do a little better.”

The Lady Dutch did beat Saratoga, 5-4, last Wednesday and then beat Averill Park, 8-0, on Monday.

Guilderland has a 10-5 overall record and is 4-4 in the Suburban Council. Teams have to finish .500 in the league to qualify for the sectional playoffs.

“What makes it tough in the league this year is that everybody is equal,” Ficarra said. “Whoever shows up to play is going to win.”

Eagles landed a victory

Against Bethlehem on Friday, the Lady Dutch trailed 2-1 before the Eagles scored four runs in the top half of the sixth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Guilderland answered with four runs of its own in the bottom half of the sixth inning.

After the first two batters of the inning got outs, Lauren Napoli singled and scored when Morgan Ten Eyck doubled to left field.

Taylor Ten Eyck then singled to drive in her twin sister, Morgan, and to make the score 6-3.

Sara Heller and Jen McCutcheon drew walks to load the bases. Nicky Marcucci then singled to drive in both Taylor Ten Eyck and Heller to cut the lead to one, 6-5.

But the Dutch would not get any closer and Bethlehem prevailed for the win.

“We’d been hitting and scoring runs,” Ficarra said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t get enough key hits. They got good hits off of us in the right spots. We’ve played real well on offense and defense. We’re doing well in the field.”

Deb Schildt started the game and pitched two shutout innings. McCutcheon came in the third inning and pitched well though she got the loss.

“The pitching is great,” Ficarra said. “Jen and Deb are splitting up the time and they are pitching great for us.”

McCutcheon scored the first run of the game for the Lady Dutch. In the second inning, she hit a triple and then scored from third base on a wild pitch.

Acing Averill Park

McCutcheon — who pitched the first three innings — and Schildt combined to shut out Averill Park on Monday.

Napoli had three hits in the game, stole a base and scored two runs. Schildt also scored two runs and knocked in another.

“That is a game that we need to win to be at .500 at the end of the season,” Ficarra said.

Against Saratoga last Wednesday, Michelle Giwerc had three hits including the game-winning RBI. She also scored one run.

Napoli had two hits including a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

The Dutch dropped a contest to Niskayuna, 5-2.

“Working very hard together”

Guilderland opened the season with wins in their first six games. Only two of them were league contests. The Dutch also own league wins over Ballston Spa and Mohonasen this spring.

“Early on, the games we played built up the girls’ confidence,” Ficarra said. “We got off to a good start. We are 4-4 in the league and we are playing good games. Two of our wins have come in the seventh inning and two of our losses have been in the seventh inning.

“We are playing close games with our competitors,” Ficarra added. “We’re finding out what’s going to get us to be on top. We’re playing in one or two runs every game.”

Guilderland played Shaker High School on Wednesday. The Lady Dutch then play at Ballston Spa on Friday, at Burnt Hills on Monday, and at Schenectady on Tuesday.

“We have 15 games down and nine games left,” Ficarra said on Tuesday. “We have Shaker on Wednesday and then Shen [May 14]. I’m expecting good games with them.”

Ficarra thinks her team can play well against those two traditional Suburban Council powers.

“We have to push through at the end of games,” Ficarra said. “This definitely a very talented team. We are working very hard together.”

The Lady Dutch are working hard to accomplish their goals.

“Obviously we want to finish above .500,” Ficarra said. “With the way the team is looking now, I’m confident that we’ll be there. We’ll definitely reach the sectionals. Our goal is to get past the first round of the sectionals.

And that is something Ficarra believes will happen.

“I’m not accepting anything less.”