Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge, varsity softball starting pitcher Nicolette Trapani carried a no-hitter for 5.1 innings Friday afternoon, but she settled for a complete-game shutout in the Bonnies’ 7-0 win over rival St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, at Cunningham Park, Oakland Gardens.
The junior hurler struck out 11 L’il Terriers in her seven innings of work while only surrendering two hits, two walks and a hit batsman.
“She (Trapani) threw great, so much improved from freshman year,” said Fontbonne junior catcher Maria Serrantino. “She’s only growing each year. Everything was working today.”
The win moves the Bonnies to 7-1 on the year, with their only loss being a 7-5 contest to St. Francis Prep earlier this season.
“We came prepared after the loss two weeks ago, and we practiced and worked on everything,” Trapani said. “We’re very proud of the way we played.”
In addition to pitching a gem on the mound, Trapani was effective at the plate. She stroked three hits, including a two-RBI double in the top of the second inning that wound up being the deciding hit.
The Bonnies plated three runs total in the second, as junior Maria Gentile followed Trapani’s double with an RBI single.
Back-to-back doubles by Serrantino and junior right fielder Natalia Sroga produced another run in the top of the fourth. Each finished with three hits on the day as part of Fontbonne’s 13-hit barrage.
With one out in the bottom of sixth inning, Trapani was still working on a no-hitter when Prep shortstop Danielle Cervasio stepped to the plate. With the corners back, Cervasio dropped a perfectly placed bunt and beat it out for the first hit of the game. Center fielder Tara O’Rourke followed with a bloop single, but Trapani escaped the jam unscathed.
But in fact, Trapani was not even aware of her potential no-hit bid.
“I had no idea until someone told me when I got in the dugout,” she said. “I didn’t even expect it, but we overcame it.”
Trapani has been close to a no-hitter several times in her Fontbonne career, but a complete-game shutout is still an impressive feat.
“She’s (Trapani) one of the hardest working kids you’re going to find,” said Bonnies’ head coach Frank Marinello. “Her season doesn’t end when our season ends. She’s all summer. She has a trainer and private pitching coach. She’s all year. I’ve been in this program since 2000, and she’s one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen come through this program.”
Trapani’s efforts on the mound and the Bonnies’ strong offensive performance have boosted the team’s confidence in hopes of continuing its fast start this spring.