Trib HSSN Softball Player of the Week for April 22, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 12:26 AM

Trib HSSN softball player of the week – Sydney Gonglik

School: Bentworth

Class: Freshman

Position: Pitcher, shortstop

#Earned: It might be hard to find a freshman who is having a better overall season then Bentworth ninth grader Sydney Gonglik. Last week in section wins over Washington and Fort Cherry, Gonglik was a combined 4 for 4 with three doubles, a triple, two RBI and six runs scored. In the Section 3-2A showdown against Our Lady of the Sacred Heart with first place at stake, she was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, an RBI and her fifth home run of the season. In the circle, Gonglik was absolutely dominant. She threw a no-hitter in all three games. She pitched 17 innings, allowed no hits, one walk and struck out 45 of the 53 batters she faced. She was perfect in the wins over Washington and Fort Cherry.

What coach says: “She did have a big week both at the plate and in the circle,” Bentworth coach Jack Cramer said. “The thing I notice most about her is that no matter what this situation is, she is 100% focused all the time. Sydney is always thinking ahead and that comes from her inner drive that she shows more every time she is on the field.

“Her speed with the bat is so impressive and is why she is hitting at such a high level. Her pitching speaks for itself. She puts the time in at home to work on things she wasn’t happy with during the game.”

“I hate to say it, but the big games (like OLSH and Charleroi) bring out even more in her. We look for both of those teams to make some adjustments next time we play them, but Sydney will adjust to them also. Her batting is at another level because she has a good eye for the pitch and can go to right or left side.”

“I am most impressed with her pitching. There are a lot of outstanding hitters around, but not as many pitchers like her that can dominate a game like she does. I enjoy watching her work out there each and every game.”

“We are hoping to stay in the playoff run a little longer with her on the mound for us, but as we proved a few years ago, anything can happen, so we don’t look any further ahead than the next game because there are some great teams in 2A this year. Sydney has her goal of winning and making Bentworth a team to be dealt with.”

Background: Get to know the name because Gonglik is just getting started. For the season at the plate, she is batting .679 (19 for 28) with seven doubles, two triples and five home runs. She has 21 runs scored and 10 RBIs. She has walked six times, been hit by a pitch once and struck out once. As a pitcher, Gonglik is 8-1 with a 0.97 ERA. She has allowed 16 hits in 58 innings pitched, allowing only two walks while striking out 135 opposing batters. Gonglik played five sports growing up: softball, soccer, volleyball, basketball and gymnastics. She did play volleyball this fall for Bentworth, but likely will not return to the team to continue working on her goal of playing Division I softball.

2024 Trib HSSN Softball Players of the Week

Week 2 – Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley

Week 1 – Sydney Sekely, South Park

Tags: Bentworth