Fontbonne Hall wasted no time reminding St. Francis Prep which team is the defending champion.
The Bonnies scored three runs in the top of the first inning on a two-out, bases-clearing triple by Nicolette Trapani and never looked back in an 8–2 victory over the host Terriers in Brooklyn-Queens softball at Cunningham Park last Thursday. The game was a rematch of last season’s championship series won by Fontbonne for the school’s first-ever crown.
“Playing them, it was big to get this win, especially coming from the championship last year,” Trapani said. “You definitely felt the tension between us and I was glad about the outcome.”
Two St. Francis Prep hits and two Fontbonne errors helped cut the Bonnies lead to 3–2 in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the diocesan champs quickly responded. Fontbone scored twice in the top of the fifth on a sac fly by Natalie LaCognata and a single from Bianca Marletta, who was two-for-three with a run scored, to make it 5–2. Maria Gentile drove in Trapani in the sixth and Maria Serrantino drilled a two-run single to center in the seventh to provide the final margin.
The Bonnies (4–0) saw Julia Sculk, Marletta, Serrantino all collect two hits apiece. Seven different players had hits, and four different batters drove in a run. Fontbonne coach Franck Marinello said its one of the deepest lineups he’s had in his 12 seasons at the helm.
“We are strong and confident in our lineup,” Marletta said. “Everyone from the ninth batter to the top is great.”
Tranpani, the senior ace, made the lead stand up. She allowed the two unearned runs, scattered four hits and struck out 11 batters, thanks to locating her pitches and effectively using her rise ball. St. Francis Prep (3–2) stranded two runners in the fourth and Trapani struck out Jessica Menna with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth to halt the Terriers last big threat. The strikeout came after Trapani was hit hard in the left shin by a Kelly Licul line drive. She quickly shook off the pain.
“It looked like I came back good after getting hit,” Trapani said. “After a while the pain went away.”
Fontbonne hasn’t.
The return of Trapani and Serrantino, centerfielder Christina Calascione, and shortstop Ariana Dillon has Fontbonne again the early season favorite to win a second-straight diocesan title. Marinello knows they still have to be better, as the two errors cost his team two runs.
“We become interesting if we play clean,” he said.
Marletta knows opponents are interested in knocking the Bonnies off and taking the crown. She believes this experienced group is ready to take on this challenge.
“We play great together,” Marletta said. “Everyone wants to fight against us, but we can do it.”
