Seaford Baseball Aiming High With Young Team

The baseball program always has the ultimate goal of competing for a Nassau County Class A title but to reach those championship aspirations in 2012 the Vikings will need to do so with almost an entirely new lineup.

The Vikings will be rolling out at least eight new position players this season along with replacing four senior starting pitchers. Last year’s senior-laden Seaford team reached the Nassau County Class A Quarterfinals with over second-seeded Clarke.

“They are learning how to play on the varsity level and every day I am seeing some growth,” said Seaford baseball head coach Mike Milano of his young team. “The coaching staff, players and I hope to build a new team in 2012. A team that grows together to eventually play some great baseball in Nassau County.”  

Seaford’s lone returning starter on offense is senior third baseman/first baseman Chris Trotta, who hit over .400 last season and has been in the lineup for three straight seasons. Milano said he also expects outfielder/infielder Nick Fischetti to add some strength to the Vikings lineup after a solid career on junior varsity playing both outfield and infield as well as taking the mound. Senior James Roell, who was a point guard on Seaford’s basketball team in the winter, is in line to take over second base duties

Milano said he would need to see a few scrimmages before determining whom his key pitchers will be in 2012. Seaford's pitching coach the last 12 years has been former Viking hurler Jamie Adams.  

“Our schedule is demanding and we hope to have enough pitching to be strong throughout it,” Milano said.

Milano places a major emphasis on defense and he expects his 2012 team to have a strong outfield and infield with many athletic fielders.

“We will play the players that can catch the baseball and keep looking for the right fit to make the team stronger,” Milano said. “The coaching staff and I will put the players into positions both on the field and in the lineup that we feel give us the best chance to win, that day.”

Seaford is scheduled to open its 2012 season with a non-league home game against Mepham on Thursday at 4:15 p.m.