The baseball team dropped the rubber match of a three game set against Mineola in Conference A-VI play, 12-3 on Thursday.
The Vikings had rebounded from a 12-5 loss Monday with a two-out walk off single by Eddie Schaller that netted Seaford's 10 win in Conference A-VI on Tuesday at home during Senior Day. On Thursday, Mineola scored early and often en route to a 12-3 victory that moved Mineola to 7-7 in Conference A-VI and 7-9 overall.
Senior Ryan Jenkins got the Mustangs going in the bottom of the first by drawing a leadoff walk. Seaford catcher David Hraska overthrew his target at second base which allowed the stealing Jenkins to move to third with no outs. Craig Weber’s grounder to shortstop allowed the speedy Jenkins to plate the first of 12 runs for the Mustang offense. Seaford had a tough time halting a Mineola running game that yielded six stolen bags throughout the game.
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“Mineola ran the bases extremely well,” said Seaford head coach Mike Milano. “They took advantage of our inability to stop the running game from time to time and they deserve to take two of the three.”
Bulva followed Weber’s RBI force out with a laser to right center that landed the senior on third base with a triple. Nick Palma’s sacrifice fly to right field gave Bulva a quick 2-0 cushion as he headed out to the mound to keep Seaford in check. Seaford ran themselves out of an inning after Michael Lasher was thrown out by Jenkins trying to turn a single into a double to end the inning.
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“Early in the game, we really didn’t make plays,” said Milano. “Mineola has been hitting great this entire series. They’re a tough team to beat.”
Mineola outscored Seaford 32-17 in the three game series.
Despite the loss to Mineola, Coach Mike Milano turned his attention towards a huge series forthcoming with Clarke next week.
“I hope that I don’t have to tell them too much,” he said. “They know if they play well in that series against Clarke, they have a chance for first place at 10-4. They shouldn’t be too down.”
If Seaford could sweep the three game set from a 13-1 Clarke team next week, the Vikings would have the opportunity to at least tie for first place in Conference A-VI.
Milano noted that his team had a nice weekend of activities planned including a practice to work out the kinks and a scrimmage game to help prepare for next week’s matchup with Clarke. Clarke currently sits atop Conference A-VI at 13-1 with the lone loss coming at the hands of Mineola.
