In the exciting world of softball, few players have the power to capture the attention of fans and coaches like Sydney Gonglik. From Scenery Hill, PA, Gonglik has become a standout talent with a remarkable freshman season in 2023 as a right handed pitcher for Bentworth. As we explore her journey and achievements, it’s easy to see why she’s emerging as one of the brightest stars of the 2027 class. Some I have spoken to say she could be the top player in the 2027 class.
A Season to Remember
Sydney Gonglik made a significant impact during her high school softball debut. In the 2023 season, she and her team dominated the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) with an impressive record of 17-2. Her contributions led her team to the quarter-finals of the state tournament—an accomplishment that highlights her skill and leadership.
Gonglik's pitching statistics tell a powerful story. Over 115 innings, she recorded a 1.03 ERA. Her dominance is clear with 271 strikeouts against just 13 walks, a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of more than 20 to 1. This ability to control the game makes her a fierce competitor on the mound. During the season, she achieved 5 no-hitters and 3 perfect games, showcasing her resilience in high-pressure situations.
When discussing her arsenal she commented "My favorite pitch is my knuckle ball and curveball, but I love all of them. My top pitching speed is 70mph." On her mentality in the circle she added "My approach as a pitcher is to out think and over power the hitter." When not in the circle she can be found playing the SS position.
A Batting Phenomenon
Sydney Gonglik is more than just a top-notch pitcher; she’s also a powerful hitter. That is actually where Sydney grabbed my attention with her crushing bombs in a hitting session clip from an LSU camp. With a stunning .765 batting average, .833 on-base percentage (OBP), and a remarkable 1.667 slugging percentage (SLG), she stands out as one of her class's best hitters. This season, she belted 12 home runs and tallied 45 RBIs, equating to nearly 3 RBIs per game. We discussed where all that power comes from and she says "My hitting has always come naturally to me but I use cable machines with weight and swing them like a bat to help with even more power."
Consider this: while many players speak of their talents, Sydney's figures make it clear she consistently delivers when it counts. Each time she steps up to bat, her fans and teammates feel a buzz of excitement around her ability to make things happen—an experience that lifts the energy of the entire game.
Honors and Accolades
Sydney's stellar performance in 2023 earned her numerous honors that reflect her exceptional skills and hard work. The accolades include:
Union Progress Rookie of the Year
Observer Reporter Player of the Year
1st Team All-Section recognition
Several "Player of the Week" awards, including from MaxPreps and HSSN Sports
Lead the 2027 Class countrywide by batting avg.
In addition, she led the WPIAL in strikeouts and was among the top ten players in the entire league. Her achievements have not only positioned her as a standout but also as an inspiring figure for young athletes seeking to follow in her footsteps.
Travel Ball Experience
Sydney's talent extends beyond high school softball, as she continues to excel in travel ball with the Outlaws 09 National Leggins. Her performance in the Fall 2024 season demonstrates her ability to thrive under diverse competition. She achieved notable stats such as:
Batting Average: .485
Slugging Percentage: .897
Home Runs: 9
RBIs: 43
Her pitching performance further solidifies her reputation:
Innings Pitched: 84
Strikeouts: 152
Batting Average Against: .139
These outstanding numbers highlight her readiness to face and conquer tough competition as she refines her skills on a national stage.
The Road Ahead
Sydney's path to where she is started when she was very young as she says "I started when I was 5 years old in T- Ball. Then I transferred to softball. I started off as a shortstop, utility then when I turned nine I started pitching." She was very active in many sports as she detailed " I used to play baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics. I don’t play any other sports anymore because I really want to focus on my game for softball."
We discussed her future goals and she stated "Be a better teammate, improve my mental health, pitch consistently 70mph, keep working hard for my dream." On what strengths she feels make her a great player she says "My drive and goals to help me succeed."
As Sydney Gonglik continues to evolve as a player, her future looks bright. She dreams of playing at the collegiate level and possibly even beyond. Her dedication to her craft is evident in both her athletic performance and her positive attitude. Sydney said "I look at great players and see their achievements and I want to set my goals higher than that to see where I stand and how I can compete with their level."
The Next Chapter
Sydney Gonglik’s story is just beginning and college coaches will be salivating at the opportunity to add a talent like her to their roster. As she keeps excelling in softball in Scenery Hill, PA, she undoubtedly represents the future of the sport. While they cannot begin recruiting her at this point she has been on the camp circuit. She commented on camps that have stood out "The camps that have really stood out to me are LSU, Gators, Bama, Vol, and there are a few other places I would love to get to that I haven’t been including Texas A&M, Oklahoma University, UCLA, and Texas."
She commented on her fandom growing up and where things are today stating "I have always rooted for Alabama, and the Florida Gators, but now that I’m getting older I like a lot of places. LSU is amazing and I look forward to attending other schools camps. I’m learning more about each school which is changing my thought process."
When she has down time her favorite thing to do is spending time with family.Stay tuned as Sydney’s career unfolds, and witness her growing impact on the game. Softball is welcoming a future superstar, and there’s no denying that the best is yet to come for Sydney Gonglik!