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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Bonnies’ quest for consecutive titles ends with semifinal loss to St. Francis Prep

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Fontbonne Hall made history last season by winning the school’s first diocesan title, but history did not repeat itself.

The second-seeded Bonnies’ run for a second-straight crown ended in a 4–1 defeat at the hands of No. 3 St. Francis Prep in the Brooklyn-Queens Class AA softball semifinals in Bergen Beach on May 14.

Fontbonne managed just one run on a solo homer to left field by Bianca Marletta to lead off the first inning.

The game marks the final contest in the careers of five seniors who have enjoyed more success in their four years than any other group in the school’s history. Bonnies coach Frank Marinello called Nicolette Trapani, Maria Serrantino, Maria Gentile, Christina Calascione, and Sue Nordbo the best class the Bay Ridge school has ever had — and the ones who put it on the map.

Their careers ended earlier than they would have liked.

“It’s definitely a lot to take in,” Trapani said. “The way we started the season, we never would have really expected this ending, but I’m proud of every single girl on this team. We gave it our all.”

The Terriers (8–5) tied the score at 1–1 on a home run by Kelly Licul to start the top of the second, and took the lead in the following frame. Alyssa Siess singled home a run, and an outfield error allowed another to score on the play to make it 3–1. Licul, with the Bonnies (8–5) trying to pitch around her, delivered a RBI single to extend the St. Francis Prep lead to 4–1 in the fifth. Trapani allowed six hits and struck out nine.

Marinello felt his players did all they could.

“I didn’t coach well enough,” Marinello said. “It’s not kids. It’s nothing else. We prepared them to the best of our abilities and we failed these kids. These kids did not fail.”

His batting order struggled against St. Francis Prep sophomore starter Monica Zhivanaj. Calascione said the team has struggled at the plate of late. Zhivanaj mixed her fastball and change up well, and allowed just five hits and walked just one. Ariana Dillon, a junior, doubled twice for the Bonnies, but was kept from crossing the plate. She and Marletta will be key cogs in the team’s success next season.

“Great players,” Marinello said of the duo. “Fontbonne is going to be fine.”

The 2015 team was the last thing on his mind on Wednesday, however. Marinello brought his seniors together for one last time as teammates. They talked about how no one can take away what they accomplished last year, and how they have enjoyed every minute of their ride together.

“It’s going to be hard leaving this behind,” Trapani said. “We made friendships with everybody that we are never going to forget.”

Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.

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