It’s time to take a glance back at the recently completed spring season.
Team of the spring: Bethlehem softball
The Lady Eagles proved that a seeding is only a number. What matters is what happens on the field.
Bethlehem entered the Section II Class AA playoffs as the No. 5 seed, but the Lady Eagles knocked off defending champion Guilderland in the quarterfinals, Suburban Council North Division champion Shenendehowa in the semifinals and South Division rival Columbia in the finals for their second Sectional title in four years.
“We beat three excellent teams this year,” said Bethlehem coach Karen Gentile. “We timed our getting hot at the right time.”
Bethlehem’s 1-0 victory over Columbia in the finals May 31 illustrated how far the Lady Eagles had come since the beginning of the season. They didn’t commit an error, and they manufactured the winning run on three hits in the sixth inning.
“This team has gelled tremendously,” said Gentile. “I knew this team had potential, but it was up to them to realize that potential.”
The Lady Eagles nearly rode their momentum into the state semifinals. They led Section III champion Liverpool 7-0 through the first five innings of their Class AA regional final June 6, but the Warriors rallied for an 8-7 victory in eight innings.
“It was unexpected and heartbreaking, of course,” said Gentile. “The kids fought hard, but they weren’t able to close it out.”
Despite falling short of a regional title, there is much to look forward to for Bethlehem. The Lady Eagles return most of their starters for the 2015 season including pitcher Emma Downing, Sarah Homsey and K.K. Palmerino.
Runner up: Guilderland boys tennis
The Dutchmen captured their third Sectional team title in the last four years by beating Niskayuna 5-3 in the finals May 15. However, head coach Curtis Snyder refused to use the word “dynasty” in describing his team’s success.
“I don’t think that’s something I should call them. We’ve just been fortunate to win this three out of the last four years,” said Snyder.
Alex Fedorov led the way for Guilderland. Fedorov posted a perfect record against Suburban Council competition at No. 1 singles, including a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Niskayuna’s Russell Santos in the team Sectional finals. Fedorov lost to eventual champion Michael Haelen in the semifinals of the individual Sectional singles tournament, but he qualified for the state championships by sweeping Ballston Spa’s Nick Spoor 6-1, 6-2.
Guilderland also sent a doubles team to states as Michael Zhu and Bill Dong defeated teammates Salil Chaudhry and Connor O’Brien in the consolation match.
Honorable mention: Guilderland girls lacrosse
The Lady Dutch reached the Class A Sectional finals for the eighth consecutive year, but they fell short of repeating as champions as Shaker edged them 8-7. Julia Lennon scored the winning goal with 50.7 seconds left to help the Blue Bison beat Guilderland for the third time in 2014.
Honorable mention: Voorheesville baseball
The Blackbirds nearly won their third consecutive Sectional championship. They led Colonial Council rival Fonda-Fultonville entering the bottom of the seventh inning in the Class B finals May 28, but the Braves scored twice to pull out a 3-2 victory.
Top individuals: Grace Smith and Leah Triller
The two track and field stars tied for this honor after they both win state and Federation titles at the New York State High School Championships June 6 and 7. Smith of Bethlehem won the girls high jump by clearing the bar at 5 feet, 7 inches, while Triller — a Glenmont resident attending Academy of the Holy Names — took first place in the 800-meter race with a time of 2:13.10.
Bethlehem’s Brian Greenberg was the top local male athlete at the state track championships. Greenberg finished third in the Division 1 (large school) triple jump with a distance of 47 feet, 3.5 inches, and he placed fourth in the Federation triple jump with a distance of 46 feet, 1.5 inches.