Seaford eyes big second half

Seaford softball’s move up to Conference AB-I this season has had its ups and downs thus far.

The Lady Vikings entered the week 6-4, but coach Rob Perpall thinks his team should have a few more wins under its belt if not for some untimely fielding errors. Three of Seaford’s four defeats have come against some of the county’s top programs in Clarke, Carey and Island Trees. The roller-coaster season has also featured a sweep of Bethpage, including a 3-1 win last Friday for its third win in four games.

“So far we have been an on-again, off-again team,” Perpall said. “They are good enough to beat anybody we have played.”

The Lady Vikings began the 2015 season with a smash in posting back-to-back 13-1 wins against Bethpage and Garden City. Seaford also showed it can win a close game with a 5-4 triumph versus Division on April 13 where Brittney Lazar delivered a walk-off single.

“When we play our ‘A’ game we have been winning,” Perpall said. “Too many errors and walks have contributed to the losses.”

Keying Seaford’s victories have been starting pitchers Sophie Dandola and Ashley Casazza. Dandola recorded nine strikeouts in the season-opening win against Bethpage on March 24 while Casazza struck out 13 in a 9-0 shutout against Mineola on April 7.

“They have been the two who have played the most consistent softball,” said Perpall of his pitching duo. “They have been pitching very well.”

Dandola, who has committed to pitch at Hofstra as only a sophomore, has also stepped up at the plate going 4-for-4 with four RBIs in the 13-1 win against Garden City on March. 30. Casazza has been an offensive force as well going 4-for-4 with two stolen bases to help herself in the Mineola win.

Seaford has shown some power in the plate early in the season led by three home runs from Jessica Fischetti. Also coming through offensively for Seaford have been Lazar, who hit a home run against Mineola during her 2-for-3 day. Jessica Fischetti has smacked three home runs on the young season with Danielle DiNapoli, Brittney Lazar, Dakota Secondino and Dandola also delivering long balls.

Seaford is assured of a playoff spot by playing in Class A’s top softball division, but Perpall is more concerned with the team playing better in the second half of the season. He said with the weather getting warmer, more time will be spent practicing fielding and fundamentals.

“We’re in a league where you can’t have one or two bad innings,” Perpall said. “We are beating ourselves when we lose.”

Seaford is next in action Thursday, April 23 at home against Glen Cove with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch. The Lady Vikings also have an April 28 home game against first place Island Trees, which defeated Seaford 10-6 in extra innings on April 1 and 7-6 in last year’s county quarterfinals.

“When we win, we put seven good innings together,” Perpall said. “They haven’t jelled yet as a total team.”