GUILDERLAND — As the seniors for the Guilderland softball team were honored after Monday’s season finale, it was evident how young the Lady Dutch players are.

Two upperclassmen were honored after the Lady Dutch beat Voorheesville, 9-1, in a non-league game.
"It was a great way to end the season," said Guilderland Coach Jessica Allen. "The girls played very well. They have improved so much from the beginning of the season. They worked well together and support each other."

Jen Ficarra, neé Maxwell, had been the head coach for the Lady Dutch for several years and started as coach at the beginning of the season before going on maternity leave, being replaced by Allen.

The adjustment might have been difficult for a team that had few experienced players.

The only seniors on the team were Amanda Neal and Tricia Loux.
"We’ll miss them," Allen said. "But we have a lot of promise for next year."

Last year, the Lady Dutch made it to the sectional playoffs. This year, they did not qualify after finishing the season with a 5-9 record in the Suburban Council and 6-11 overall. Teams must finish with a .500 or better record to qualify for sectionals.
"Ficarra and I knew we had a young team," Allen said. "The goal is always to go to sectionals. I saw improvements made during the year so I’m not disappointed. As a coach you strive for your players to come together as a team and improve on what the girls are doing."

Grand finale

In Tuesday’s game, the Lady Dutch used the patience of older, experienced players to work 16 walks in the contest. Then they would get the timely hit that led to some runs scored.

Guilderland scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead.

Neal led off the inning with a walk and Loux singled to put runners on first and second. Meryl Kremer was hit with a pitch and the bases were loaded.

Rachel Vein walked to allow Neal to score and Lauren Napoli followed with a walk that brought in Loux.

Michelle Giwerc grounded out to shortstop but drove in a run as Kremer crossed the plate.

Marissa Valletta then singled to drive in Vein and Napoli. Valletta scored on an RBI groundout by Neal.

Guilderland scored two runs in the third inning as Vein and Giwerc crossed the plate.

The Dutch’s final run came in the fourth inning. Vein scored again after walking and going home on an RBI single by Valletta.

Deb Schildt had a big game for the Lady Dutch in the pitching circle. She stymied a hot-hitting Voorheesville line-up giving up just one run on three hits.
"Deb Schildt is doing a great job, filling in in a pressure situation," Allen said. "She’s done a phenomenal job. The girls have been there to back her up and support her."

Schildt pitched sparingly this season until last year’s starter, Jen McCutcheon, missed the final weeks of the season due to illness.
"We lost her," Allen said of McCutcheon. "But she is still part of the team. She is encouraging and she’s still with us."

"A lot of bright spots"

Guilderland has a couple of good wins this season that the players on the team will be able to build on.

The Lady Dutch beat a playoff-bound Columbia team in East Greenbush during the season.
"That is probably one of the best games we’ve played if not the best," Allen said.

Guilderland opened the season with a tight win over Ballston Spa.
"We beat them in the first game of the season," Allen said. "It got us going. We had a lot of bright spots."

The Dutch had some bright spots on the field during the season.

Napoli was the lead-off hitter for the Dutch and used her speed on the base paths. She was also solid in the outfield.
"Lauren Napoli had a good year," Allen said. "She was our center fielder and did a tremendous job defensively."

Many Dutch players contributed to hitting the ball during the season.
"We got a lot of good contact this season," Allen said. "We got some key hits. Every night, it came from someone else. Tonight [Tuesday] was a special night. It’s something I like to see."

Allen praised one of her senior’s play throughout the season.
"Tricia Loux has improved her play and skill tremendously," Allen said. "She had two hits tonight. It was extra special in her last game. She deserved them."

The Lady Dutch might be battle-tested for next season.
"We played in a lot of close game," Allen said. "We had a lot of one-run games that could have gone either way.
"We have a lot to build on for next year," Allen said. "We have a lot of potential. We’ll do well next year."