The Port Washington varsity softball team has been playing their best brand of softball as of late. Their most recent game was a 12-11 triumph over Hicksville on April 21. Junior catcher Danielle Elkins prevented a bad throw at the plate that could have scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Lady Vikings would respond the following inning with an RBI triple from Maddie Gallagher to give the girls the lead. This win improves their remarkable overall record to 10-1. They currently lead their Nassau AA II Conference, where they are 8-1.
Head Coach Eric Sutz believes the team’s biggest strength has been the girls’ composure and ability to bounce back in their games.
“Obviously we are talented, which always helps when you’re trying to compete, but we are very mentally tough,” said Sutz. “When a bad call goes against us or we give up a couple of runs in an inning, the way we are able to bounce back in the next inning has been our best attribute thus far.”
In terms of talent and depth, the Lady Vikings have plenty to pick and choose from. All-County junior Emma Lupoli is the team’s number one pitcher who can go deep into games and performed very well in the pitching circle. She also bats third in the lineup.
Elkins and junior Sam D’Alonzo bring a ton to the table and provide a wealth of leadership and experience. They both serve as key positional players behind the plate and at shortstop respectively.
The team also boasts three sisters, Ashlynn, Kailey and Maddie Gallagher, who are all very dynamic both offensively and defensively. These girls round out the deep
roster the Lady Vikings provide.
With several games left to go in the season, the Lady Vikings will look to keep the momentum going by sticking to what got them to this stage in the season. The girls worked on defensive alignments and shifts that they will try to implement on with teams they previously played.
“We talked about playing within ourselves,” said Sutz. “We don’t want to get too over-creative and do things we haven’t done so far.”
When it comes to setting goals, the team looks to accomplish one at a time. So far, they seem to have accomplished one by posting a winning league season record. Next on their list is clinching a playoff spot and possibly a championship.
“We’re really trying to set one goal at a time,” said Sutz. “We’re talented and composed and that gives us a chance to win in any game we play. I’m excited about that opportunity.”
