58 APRIL 28 – MAY 4, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP Photo by Jim Dolan It’s a call for “all hands in” inside the Fontbonne huddle as the Varsity’s three surging sophomores, Maddie Schalk (left), Alexa Bertelle (center with glove) and catcher Sydney Lacognata carried the Bonnies through Easter break. Surging sophomores carry Bonnies through Easter break BY JIM DOLAN With league games suspended during the GCHSAA’s Easter break, the Fontbonne Varsity softball team played a host of non-league games to keep their competitive edge. With a 7-3 loss to Construction and Engineering of Queens and a 12-0 loss to Moore Catholic of Staten Island, the Bonnies finally ended a two-game skid with a 6-6 tie to Port Richmond that was called early for safety concerns. The Bonnies then got back in the winning column with two consecutive wins – first, a 12-1 win over St. John Villa of Staten Island and then, a 9-1 win over Poly Prep. Evaluating his team at the mid-season point Fontbonne Coach Frank Marinello sees this year’s Varsity driven by three surging sophomores. In particular, Marinello has singled out the play of second baseman and leadoff hitter Alexa Bertelle who has become a sophomore standout for the team. “She simply puts the team on her back with her defense and hitting,” said Marinello of his second year Varsity player. “Alexa plays a solid second base and is the team’s leading hitter. In her most recent game against Poly Prep, she managed to hit two long doubles.” Another of the team’s surging sophomores is catcher Sydney LaCognata, another second year Varsity player of whom Marinello states, “It’s hard to find a better receiver than Syd.” Following in the footsteps of her current teammate and senior sister Natalie, who made the All Brooklyn Team last season, Sydney is simply a “gritty player” who is very talented at receiving and blocking the ball, according to Marinello. Getting more recent playing time at third base, second year Varsity sophomore Maddie Schalk blossomed over the Easter break, making constant contact with the ball and defending the “hot corner.” Although she does not have a high number of “at-bats,” Schalk is currently challenging Alexa Bertelle in the percentage category as one of the team’s leading hitters. After compiling a 2-2-1 record of nonleague games over the Easter Bbreak, the Varsity Bonnies remain with a 3-3 league record when they resume GCHSAA play this week. Crossword Across 1. PC "brain" 4. Boito's Mefistofele, e.g. 9. Delay 12. Peter, Paul or Mary 14. Cast member 15. Absorbed, as a cost 16. Woodwind instrument similar to an oboe (2 wds) 18. Family head 19. Ancient Greek inhabitant of Attica 20. Group of plants with 700 species in Australia 22. On the fence 24. Corolla part 25. "C'___ la vie!" 26. "Mi chiamano Mimi," e.g. 28. Food preparation instructions 31. Wee 33. Religious image: Var. 34. Sago palm 37. ___ Grove Village, Ill. 38. Accomplishments 39. Busiest 40. Kind of park 42. Devoid of reverence 44. E.P.A. concern 45. Sun, e.g. 48. Having threads 50. Associate 52. Catches 55. Mezzo Berganza 56. Arctic bird 57. Dizzy 59. Schuss, e.g. 60. Broadcasting (hyphenated) 61. Indications 62. Appetite 63. Award-winning record producer 64. After expenses Down 1. Narrow open boats with pointed ends 2. Am. hickory tree with bitter seeds 3. Dark 4. "___, humbug!" 5. Advil target 6. Basin for holy water 7. Use of black magic 8. Victorian, in a way 9. Feminine 10. Above 11. Chap 12. Angler's gear 13. Wearing a jewelled, semicircular crown 17. Animal catcher 21. Frillier 23. Lid or lip application 27. Book of maps 29. Detachable container 30. "Star Trek" rank: Abbr. 31. Earn (2 wds) 32. Cut corners 34. Bean counter, for short 35. Churchyard tree in "Romeo and Juliet" 36. Type of leather 38. College conferrals 40. Catherine the Great, e.g. 41. Disinclined 43. Skiing in a zigzag course 45. Antsy (2 wds) 46. Forwarded 47. Slender nails 49. Fit for a king 51. Coach 52. "Duck soup!" 53. Microwave, slangily 54. One of the two main branches of Islam 58. "Don't give up!" Answers
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