Scotties seeking super Saturday

Ballston Spa

Exam time in June means a lot of long hours preparing to excel. There is no homework on the horizon Saturday for the members of the Ballston Spa softball team, yet they want to experience the fullest of days imaginable.

The Scotties want to play two state playoff games and win them both, but there is even more on the day's itinerary.

"If we won, that would mean so much to me. We've also got prom Saturday," Ballston Spa senior first baseman Megan McMahon said. "Going into (prom) as state champs, with all the support we've had, would be the most amazing thing."

Softball in the morning and afternoon, followed by dancing into the night is an ideal scenario — especially if two games means two wins for a Class A state championship.

"I would like to have it be that, yes," Ballston Spa coach Amanda Fifield said. "That's what I would like, but we've got to go one pitch at a time and see what happens in game one to get to game two."

The Scotties (21-3), making their third state semifinal appearance since 2016, return to action Saturday morning at Moreau Rec when they take on Section XI champion Sayville (24-0) at 9 a.m.

A semifinal win would send Ballston Spa into a 1:30 p.m. final. Last spring, the Scotties fell to Victor in the Class AA final.

"We've got one game we haven't won yet. That is the one we're going after," Fifield said.

Ballston Spa sophomore shortstop Ana Gold says last year's state playoff experience has being beneficial.

"I think being there last year takes some of the stress off being in the big games before and I think it gives us an advantage," Gold said. "We definitely want some redemption. The feeling of heartbreak last year is something we don't want to happen. We are going to treat this game (with Sayville) like any other game and not let...