BETHLEHEM — The Eagles softball team got by Guilderland 9-7 on Wednesday, May 29, and will play Columbia in the Section II, Class AA semis today.
The Lady Dutch got off to a quick start with three hits and three runs in the first inning but pitcher Ana Cleary settled down and didn’t allow another run until the fifth. The Lady Dutch made a game of it by scoring twice in the seventh but left runners on second and third to end the game.
For Bethlehem, the No. 3 seed, Julie Rupinski went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Clare Boegel went 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Ana Losee went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored, Haley Nash went 2 for 3 with a run scored, Ashley Gilies went 1 for 3 with two runs scored and Cleary had a double and scored a run.
Alyssa Burg went 2 for 4 with two doubles for the No. 4 seed Lady Dutch and she scored a run. Lauren Paul went 2 for 5 with a run scored and Colette Cohen went 2 for 3 with a double.
Cleary gave up seven runs on nine hits while walking six and striking out seven. Riley Sullivan started the game for Guilderland and was relieved by Michelle Topaltzas. They combined for nine runs on 10 hits while walking five and striking out one.
Bethlehem Columbia play at 3 p.m. today at the Luther Forrest diamonds in Malta. In the other semifinal, the No. 4 seed Colonie will take on the No. 1 seed Shen. Colonie beat crosstown rival Shaker 2-1 and Shen got a bye.
Click on a photo below to view a slideshow of the rest.
