See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Watching your pitcher strike out 17 batters would be a jaw-dropper for most ball players. But for teammates of Fontbonne Hall ace Nicolette Trapani, it’s just business as usual.
“Nicolette is always on fire,” right fielder Natalia Sroga said. “I’ve never seen her have a hard time.”
Trapani, a junior, worked her screwball and curve to perfection, struck out the side four times, allowed just two hits, walked one and hit two batters to lead the Bonnies to a 2–0 win over host Christ the King in Brooklyn-Queens softball at Juniper Valley Park on Monday. Trapani knew that with limited offense production, she needed to be on her game.
“I feel like I had to step up,” she said.
The Bonnies (2–1) got all the runs they needed in the second inning against Royals starter Katelyn Finneran. Delaina Allegretti singled home Sroga, who doubled to get the inning started, and scored on a dropped third strike that went off the catcher’s glove to the back stop to make it 2–0. Centerfielder Christina Calascione added two hits.
Trapani made that stand up by stranding a runner on second with one out in the third and left Christ the King runners on second and third with two outs in the fourth. The Royals (1–2) never threatened after that. Fontbonne coach Frank Marinello said he’s seen Trapani mature after two years in the circle and it’s given her teammates extra confidence also.
“The kids are rallying behind her,” he said.
The coach believes this year’s team is better then the one that lost to eventual Catholic state finalist Archbishop Molloy 1–0 in the diocesan semifinals last year. Marinello reminds them of the defeat often so they’ll remember it was a feeling they don’t want to have again.
“It wasn’t a good feeling when we walked off the field,” Marinello said.
Fontbonne returns a strong core of upperclassmen starting with catcher and No. 3 hitter Maria Serrantino, shortstop Ariana Dillon, cleanup hitter Kristina Mandala and Maria Gentile. The Bonnies also add talented newcomer Bianca Marletta, who leads off, plays third, and is the team’s second pitcher.
Marinello is confident this team will be better than last year’s squad, and his players believe him. They want to break through to the Brooklyn-Queens championship series and challenge for diocesan title — but they aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“I don’t want to jinx it,” Sroga said. “But I have a good feeling about it.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.