By Jordan J. Michael

COLONIE –– The Voorheesville softball team killed two birds with one stone on Tuesday.

The Lady Birds made its first sectional appearance in three years and ended up winning, 5 to 2, after scoring three runs against Berne-Knox-Westerlo in the sixth inning. The game was played in extreme heat at Colonie’s Veeder Park.

With the score knotted at 2 to 2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kelsey DeZalia stepped to the plate for Voorheesville and reached base after a throwing error by Kristin Depeaux at shortstop. DeZalia made smart moves and ended up on third base with zero outs.

DeZalia, a senior, who was with the Lady Birds when it made the sectional semifinals in 2007, waited anxiously at third base while she watched Kelsey Wegener pop out and Liz Madden strike out. DeZalia continued to watch as Brittany Fahd was walked.

“I’m just glad that we got a chance to extend our season,” said DeZalia after the game, mentioning that the team had to petition for a spot in the playoffs. “It feels great to be here once again.”

Freshman Bryn Davies came through for Voorheesville with two outs, hitting a double to right field that rolled under the glove of a charging Bridgit Hurst. DeZalia and Fahd scored for a 4-to-2 lead and the Lady Bird bench erupted with emotion.

“I had to get DeZalia home because she was stranded for way too long,” said Davies. “I felt the pressure.”

DeZalia told The Enterprise that she was starting to get nervous on third base, but she had no real worries. “I have the utmost confidence in my team,” she said. “I knew I would eventually score.”

Voorheesville finished the season with a 6-8 record in the Colonial Council and Head Coach Matt Fiato summoned a petition to Section II. The team received the sixth seed in Class CC.

“I think the board was impressed with our tough schedule and some of our big wins,” said Fiato.

The Lady Birds added another run in the sixth inning when Gabby Liguori’s short pop up to center field dropped in, allowing Davies to score. That final run put the game out of reach for the Lady Bulldogs.

“It was a good fight,” said BKW pitcher Kieva Reynolds. “The heat was pretty intense, but everyone did a good job.”

“The game came down to one big hit,” Fiato said. “I’m proud of the young players for coming through.”

It was BKW’s second straight year in sectionals after being dormant for 14 prior. “We’ve come a long way and it speaks volumes,” said Head Coach Mike Reynolds. “Just being involved is a win for us.”

Voorheesville played Chatham on Wednesday in the Class CC quarterfinals.

“It’s on to a new day,” said Fiato. “Hopefully we play our best and keep this going.”