May 16, 2024 3 min read

By Joe Smeltzer

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

WEXFORD – The postseason might be intimidating for some freshmen.

If Bentworth softball pitcher Sydney Gonglik was intimidated, or even nervous, Thursday afternoon at North Allegheny, then she didn’t show it.

Gonglik went the full seven innings, giving up just one run on two hits, walking three and striking out 14 in No. 2 Bentworth’s 8-1 win over No.7 Shenango in the Class 2A quarterfinals at North Allegheny High School.

“We knew this is the biggest game, right?” Gonglik said afterward. “First playoff game that we played. We tried not to put pressure (on ourselves), because then you’re going to really think about it. We played it as a normal game.”

So what was working for Gonglik in the circle?

“I located with my spin,” she said. “Look at the batter for that pitch to get them to chase.”

For Bentworth coach Jack Cramer, this isn’t a big surprise.

“She’s been around in our program since she was 10 years old,” Cramer said. “So, I’ve seen her progress. And then, last year… GameChanger is a wonderful thing for coaches because I was able to watch her play all summer with her travel team. Even though it’s her first (high school) season, she’s played in so many big games with her travel team. I mean, this is still big for her. But travel games, they’re used to it.”

After his team’s 4-0 loss to Laurel immediately following the Bentworth game, Charleroi coach Trey Tilghman, who shares a section with Bentworth, put it well.

“She’s going to be hell for the next three years.”

Bentworth (17-2) scored first in the bottom of the first inning when Nora Lindley drove home Gonglik with a double. Lindley ended the day 3-for-3 with three doubles and three RBI. Bentworth added on in the second on a two-out double by Kayla O’Dell that scored Willow Eckels. Later in the inning, Bentworth made it 3-0 when Shenango (11-9) starter Kennedi Lynn walked Lindley to bring home O’Dell.

Shenango’s offense came to life in the fourth, scoring on a line drive by Cashlin Buckel. Bentworth added insurance in the fifth when a single by Zoie McDonald scored Lindley. The Bearcats got four more in the sixth to shut the door.

This is Bentworth’s first semifinal appearance since 2010, and the team did it without a senior on the roster.

Laurel, 4-0

In the second game, Laurel (18-4) scored two runs in the bottom of the third. Addison Deal started the scoring with a one-out double that scored Mayci Lang from first. The next batter, Autumn Boyd, drove in Deal with a double. Laurel added a third when a single by Hayden Seifert brought Boyd home.

Laurel added another in the third when Deal brought home Lexi Kroll with a single.

From there, it was all Boyd. She ended the day throwing a complete game, two-hit shutout, walking one and striking out 13.

Despite the loss, Tilghman feels Charleroi (14-6) had a “successful season.”

“I feel bad for the seniors,” he said. “Great senior class. But we have some nice freshmen coming up next year.”

Bentworth will play Laurel in the semifinals next week.