Seaford pushing for playoffs

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After a slow start, Seaford baseball is primed for a big regular season finish.

The Vikings (10-6) entered the week winners of six in a row and in strong position to clinch a spot in the upcoming Class A playoffs in their final three games. After starting the season 4-6, coach Mike Milano is pleased his team began hitting its stride in time to stay in the postseason hunt.

“I think this team has the ability to win some games in the playoffs if they get in,” said Milano, who guided Seaford to the postseason as the number on seed last year before getting bounced in three games.  “They won’t be satisfied to just get there.”

Seaford’s winning streak has been fueled by strong pitching limited Cold Spring Harbor to four runs over a three-game sweep last week. Chris Pupa tossed a complete game one-hitter in a 5-0 win at Cold Spring Harbor last Monday to start the series followed up a day later by a three-hitter from senior Zach Grof in a 9-2 victory.  

Grof along with fellow senior Nick Calandra have led a deep pitching staff with two wins apiece entering the final three games. Jayson Friscia has also been a bright spot on the mound with a five-strikeout performance in a 5-4 victory at Island Trees on April 9 that snapped the team’s three-game losing streak. Sophomore relievers Chris Pupa, Frank Cozzolino and Tom Lynch have also propelled Seaford’s winning streak with important innings out of the bullpen.

 “We have good depth on the mound,” Milano said. “We have a lot of guys we feel confident going with.”

The Seaford offense has complemented the strong pitching with some clutch hits of late. Senior outfielder John Leonardi IV provides a power presence in the cleanup spot while junior shortstop Timmy Saulpaugh gives a jolt as a leadoff hitter with his speed on the bases. Saulpaugh produced three hits in the April 9 win against Island Trees including a go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning.

“He is doing everything offensively,” said Milano of Saulpaugh. “He is quality hitter.”

The Vikings have received an offensive spark of late from senior Logan Masters, who missed much of the first half of the season with a hip injury. His sixth inning two-out RBI single produced the eventual winning run in last Thursday’s Cold Spring Harbor victory.

Calandra has helped himself at the plate including a 3-for-4 performance with four RBIs and a home run in Seaford’s 8-7 win against Island Trees on April 10. He has also provided strong senior leadership with catcher Vinny Pecora and outfielder Andrew Chirico.

“They have done an outstanding job showing the younger guys how it is done in Seaford,” Milano said.

Seaford closes the regular season on Thursday against Locust Valley at 4:30 p.m. The Vikings will then have a bye week during the last days of the regular season and Milano is planning two scrimmages to jeep the team fresh for what he hopes will be a long playoff run.