Despite the lack of a signature powerhouse, Brooklyn still made an impact on New York City softball.
Fontbonne Hall defeated Archbishop Molloy in the regular season and reached the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens ‘AA’ semifinals while Bishop Kearney beat St. Edmund Prep for the B/Q ‘A’ title.
In the PSAL, James Madison won another division title and advanced to the quarterfinals, Telecommunications came onto the ‘A’ scene in its first year at that level and shared Brooklyn with Madison. Poly Prep won a share of the Ivy Prep League title and made it to the NYSAISAA semifinals, ending its streak of six straight state titles.
All-Brooklyn softball Player of the Year: Nicolette Trapani, Fontbonne Hall
The sophomore and Fontbonne Hall put the rest of the city on notice this season that they will be a force for years to come. The dual threat started the year helping the Bonnies pick up one of the program’s best wins, beating CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens power Archbishop Molloy, as Trapani drove in the game’s tying and winning runs.
The power hitter was also a power pitcher and one of the city’s most consistent hurlers. She allowed just two hits to Molloy that day, struck out 12 in a loss to Mary Louis and tossed four no-hit inning against St. Francis Prep. She nearly pitched the Bonnies to a playoff upset of Molloy, but fell 1-0 in eight innings in the Brooklyn/Queens semifinals.
All-Brooklyn softball Coach of the Year: Glenn McCartney, Telecommunications
The transition from PSAL Class B, where Telecom won a city title last year, to the ‘A’ is not an easy one. McCartney, however, made it look easy, guiding the Yellow Jackets to a 14-2 record and a share of the Brooklyn A title with powerhouse James Madison, the only league team they lost to all year. They advanced to the second round of the ‘A’ playoffs. Perhaps the most impressive part of the job McCartney did was he had just one senior on the roster and seven freshmen and sophomores. Look for Telecom to make even further strides in 2013.
FIRST TEAM
CF Christina Calascione, Fontbonne Hall
The sophomore had big shoes to fill taking over for Jackie Mitchell in center field and did so seamlessly. She was a ball hawk in the outfield and one of the city’s most consistent and speedy leadoff hitters. Calascione had two RBIs and two runs scored in a playoff win over Chris the King.
CF Allison Gasparino, Bishop Kearney
Gasparino’s talents didn’t go unnoticed despite Kearney’s move down a division. The senior was still a superb centerfielder with endless range and a superb arm. She was also one of the Tigers best hitters, with surprising power. Gasparino helped lead the Brooklyn school to the Brooklyn/Queens Class A crown.
SS Gina Gerone, James Madison
One of the most athletically gifted softball players in New York City, Gerone is nearly flawless in the field and a terror at the plate – a five-tool player. Her illustrious four-year career was solidified with the PSAL Wingate Award on Monday.
C Jacquie Kennedy, Poly Prep
A three-sport star at Poly Prep, Kennedy has emerged as perhaps the most valuable player for the Blue Devils softball team with her leadership and skill set behind the plate. The junior led Poly to a share of the Ivy Prep League title this season.
P Cristina Morales, Telecommunications
The shortstop on the team that won the PSAL Class B title in 2011, Morales took over in the circle and excelled as Telecom moved up to the ‘A.’ The junior was also one of the team’s best hitters en route to a share of the Brooklyn division title.
C Samantha Rodriguez, James Madison
The senior is perhaps the best defensive catcher in the city with a cannon for an arm and consistently blocks balls in the dirt. This year, she had to manage a sophomore pitcher in Cheyenne Tatesure and remained a top offensive player.
SS Maria Serrantino, Fontbonne Hall
The sophomore was a absolute terror at the plate, building off a successful freshman campaign. Serrantino has downright scary power and often came through in the clutch. She collected three hits, two runs scored and an RBI in an impressive win over Mary Luis and solidified the Bonnies defense at shortstop.
SS Chelsea Silva, Bushwick
The super-athletic senior can play anywhere on the field and often did for Bushwick. Silva also sported a .667 on-base percentage with a .750 slugging percentage and stole 33 bases – she was truly one of the most underrated players in the city.
CF Victoria Slavik, James Madison
The St. Francis Prep transfer made an impact right away in her new digs. Slavik was arguably Madison’s best all-around hitter, played a strong defensive outfield and even got some innings in the circle, making the transition look seamless.
SS Ashley Delgado, Telecommunications
The difference between winning and losing can be all about defense at this level and Delgado was one of the best at shortstop. The junior filled in for Cristina Morales, who moved to pitcher, ably and also scored 20 runs in 15 league contests. .
HONORABLE MENTION
LF Estefany Almonte, Grand Street Campus
CF Lloyda Blandford, Grady
1B Veronica Cupo, St. Edmund Prep
3B Katie Friel, Poly Prep
3B Kristen Ferrigno, Bishop Kearney
SS Jen Fay, Nazareth
P Angelica Fox, St. Edmund Prep
2B Priscila Troche, Telecommunications
P Olivia Lautin, Brooklyn Tech
RF Maria Randazzo, Fontbonne Hall
SS Shannon Rhodes, Packer Collegiate
SS Amber Rivera, Midwood
C Lizmarie Skulsky, New Utrecht
P Ciara Schirripa, Poly Prep
P Cheyenne Tatesure, James Madison