By Jordan J. Michael

WATERVLIET –– The Voorheesville baseball team swung hot bats on Friday and secured a playoff spot in the process.

The Blackbirds scored runs in every inning, except the third, to post a 14-to-8 win over Watervliet on the road. Ryan Duncan pitched his second complete game of the week, the previous outing being a 5-to-1 win at Cobleskill on May 4.

“It’s Duncan’s game and he’ll take the ball whenever,” said Head Coach Kyle Turski. “I asked for three innings today and he gave me seven. It was nice.”

Colin McVee scored the first run for Voorheesville in the first inning on a deep fly ball to center field by Nico Church. Kevin Connolly drove Church in with a single and the Blackbirds already had an early 2-to-0 lead for Duncan.

Watervliet pitcher Dan Nittinger had command issues early on, forcing catcher Josh Veshia to walk out to the mound a couple times. Church drove in another run in the second inning, this time with a double down the right field line.

“We played a complete game today,” Turski said. “Batters got contact, fielders made great plays, and Duncan threw timely pitches.”

The Blackbirds scored three runs in the fourth inning and five in the fifth for an 11-to-1 lead. Cannoneer fans were cringing every time Voorheesville made contact with the ball.

Church cranked another double to right center field in the fourth inning that let McVee and Jake Nussbaum score. Connolly led off the fifth with a stand-up triple after Ryan Manning missed the ball on a dive in center field. Nittinger was clearly rattled and was pulled after the seventh run.

Voorheesville’s monstrous fifth inning continued with singles by Anthony Scaccia, Elliot Stryker, and McVee. Church had yet another double after Manning couldn’t catch it on one more dive attempt in center.

“That was one of the best hitting innings we’ve had all year,” Turski said of the fifth. “The kids are following the philosophy and approach.”

The Blackbirds had a 14-to-3 lead in the final inning, but Duncan had trouble closing out the game and gave up five runs. “I was just tired,” said Duncan. “I threw 108 pitches.”

Turski was set on his ace finishing the game. “I might have thought about pulling him if they got within four runs,” he said.

Voorheesville (4-6, 7-7) is just happy to have a playoff spot. The team’s Colonial Council wins count for two because Voorheesville is the only Class C school in the league.

“We’re always playing up,” said Turski. “I like that rule.”