Trib HSSN Softball Player of the Week for April 8, 2024

By: Don Rebel
Monday, April 8, 2024 | 6:17 PM

Trib HSSN softball player of the week: Sydney Sekely

School: South Park

Class: Sophomore

Position: Pitcher, third base

#Earned: In a week in which many WPIAL softball teams did not even get to play one game, South Park was able to get two games in. In a nonsection game against Peters Township on Wednesday, Sekely was 3 for 4 at the plate with a pair of doubles. In the circle, she allowed no earned runs and no hits in four innings of work while striking out seven as the Eagles beat the host Indians, 11-1. In the Section 4-3A opener Saturday, she pitched a complete-game three-hitter while striking out 13 as South Park blanked Keystone Oaks, 2-0, improving the Eagles to 4-1 on the season. For the season, Sekely is batting .412 with a .444 on-base percentage, a .529 slugging percentage and a .974 OPS. In the circle, she is 3-1 with a 0.81 ERA with 51 strikeouts, leaving her 5 Ks shy of 200 for her career.

What coach says: “Although we were dealing with a lot of rain, cold temperatures and rescheduled games last week, Syd never wavered,” South Park coach R.J. Matetic said. “Syd is a competitor. She loves to compete no matter what circumstances are placed in front of her. So, I was not surprised when she went 3 for 7 at the plate (last week), along with giving up only three hits, zero earned runs and 20 Ks in 11 innings in the circle.”

“Syd has definitely gotten stronger entering her sophomore season. She has increased her velocity on her fastball this year, along with the inclusion of several spin pitches to keep hitters off balance. Her command with all her pitches continues to improve from year to year. From an offensive perspective, she led our team last year in batting average, OBP, OPS and slugging percentage and is again trending this year to be one of the best hitters on our team. She continues to improve upon her approach or plan at the plate, prior to and during her at-bats, providing her with enhanced opportunities for more success.”

“Although she is only a sophomore, Syd already is leading by example. Her play on the field shows how she is consistently driven to compete on each pitch, inning and game.”

Background: Sekely has been playing softball since she was 7. While softball is her passion that she hopes to continue with in college, Sekely also played basketball up until high school. In eighth grade, she started playing volleyball and is a current member of the Eagles volleyball team that reached the playoffs this fall but lost to eventual 2A champion Beaver in the first round of the postseason.

2023 Trib HSSN Softball Players of the Week

Week 11 – Ella Casalandra, Union

Week 10 – Mia Preuhs, Union

Week 9 – Alivia Lantzy, Avonworth

Week 8 – Kaitlyn Molitoris, Montour

Week 7 – Bethany Rodman, Shaler

Week 6 – Lexie Hames, Seneca Valley

Week 5 – Caroline Malandra, Serra Catholic

Week 4 – Shelby Telegdy , Elizabeth Forward

Week 3 – Ella Richey, Chartiers-Houston

Week 2 – Shaylyn Shall, Western Beaver

Week 1 – Olivia Zimmerman, Indiana

Tags: South Park