Seaford returns to winning ways

Fresh off the program’s first Long Island title since 2005, Seaford softball has quickly turned the page to try and write a new memorable chapter.
The Vikings, who captured the historic championship with a 2-1 extra-innings win in the Class B finals against Center Moriches, captured 10 of their first 11 league games in Conference II this spring. While the team’s many returning players have eyes on a repeat, third-year coach Joe Nastasi has stressed the importance of not focusing on past glory.
“I have spoken to the team about how this is a completely new year and we need to approach it as a fresh start and a new approach,” Nastasi said. “Last year was last year and this is a new year and our goal is to look at what’s in front of us and not what’s been behind us.”
If Seaford is to once again raise that championship trophy, it will need to do so this time in Class A after moving up due to increased enrollment. 
The Vikings return key pieces to position themselves for another run at a title including both starting pitchers, Skyler Secondino and Lauren LoPresti. Secondino and LoPresti pitched back-to-back shutouts, respectively, in a 4-0 win against Clarke on April 19 and 5-0 victory versus Carey on April 24. While Secondino is the ace, Nastasi stressed that both are fully capable of stepping up in big games.

“No matter who we go to in the circle, the team and myself have full confidence that they’re going to give us competitive games,” Nastasi said. 
Secondino is also a huge catalyst for the Seaford offense batting second behind leadoff hitter  Alexa Villeck. Both shined in a 15-1 victory at neighborhood rival Wantagh on April 11 with  
Villeck going 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Secondino went 2-for-2 with a home run to go along with  five strikeouts on the mound.
Kaitlyn Young, Katie Young, Alyssa Rodriguez, Taylor Elkin and LoPresti have also been key producers in the lineup for an offense that has scored six or more runs in nine games.
“We have 16 girls on the team and many who could start on a lot of teams on Long Island so no matter who we plug in and play in we have a lot of faith that they’re going to be a productive part of what we’re doing,” Nastasi said.
Nastasi has also been pleased with the performance of his defense so far this season led by Katie Young, who he considers one of the top catchers on Long Island. Caitlin Young has helped anchor the outfield in center while Villeck and Rodriquez have solidified the middle infield at shortstop and third base, respectively. 
Seaford ended last week with a 7-2 home loss to Mineola last Friday that dropped it to 10-2 in Conference II, but a league title is still within grasp that would earn it one of the top seeds for the upcoming Class A playoffs. The Vikings will next host Wantagh May 1 at 5 p.m.