Gonglik vs. Boyd highlights Bearcats’ PIAA quarterfinal

Nothing like some déjà vu in the PIAA softball postseason.

Bentworth will continue their historic 2024 season today in the Class 2A state quarterfinals against a familiar foe, Laurel.

The Bearcats defeated the Spartans in the WPIAL semifinals May 21 in dramatic fashion, as Sofia Gaussa came through in the clutch in the bottom of the seventh inning with a two-run single for a 2-1 victory in a classic pitchers’ duel.

With familiarity at an alltime high for both highly competitive squads, Bentworth coach Jack Cramer expects another stellar showdown at Gateway High School. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

“It’s hard to play the same team twice in such a short time frame,” Cramer said. “They know us and we know them. I think both teams will make the adjustments and try to throw a wrinkle into the game plan. I’d much rather have faced another team from another district because the unknowns would work out for us. Laurel is a formidable opponent and it will once again be a 50-50 game.”

The Bearcats (18-3) are coming of a historic triumph Monday with the school’s first ever PIAA playoff win after a 4-1 victory over the defending Class 2A champions Everett in the first round. Bentworth only other game in the state playoffs was a first-round setback to Elk County Catholic in 2010.

“It was a nice trip out to Everett,” Cramer said. “We had a nice bus ride and the girls enjoyed themselves. To get that early run was huge to calm us down. There was some hangover after the championship loss the first couple of days, but I thought the girls did a nice job of regrouping. We were not flat and played with a lot of energy early in the game.”

When asked if this young group of Bearcats, with no seniors, know the historical importance of the postseason run, Cramer had a quick response.

“I don’t think they know yet the impact this run will have on them and this program in the future,” Cramer expressed. “It has been fun to watch and these girls have played within themselves. Yeah, there are some nerves. There was a little excitement after the win (over Everett), but these girls treated its like it was no big deal. They were just happy to move on.”

Pitcher Sydney Gonglik was her dominant self in the circle in the PIAA firstround win, as the freshmen only needed 92 pitches in the complete-game, seven inning effort. She only allowed a run off two hits with 14 strikeouts and a free pass.

Gonglik’s sensational, season stat line now reads at an 18-2 record with a 0.83 ERA and 274 strikeouts over 122 innings.

In the win over Everett, Gonglik did some damage at the plate with three walks and a solo home run. Her batting average now sits at .778 and in 79 plate appearances this season, she has registered 42 hits and drew 23 walks. The homer on Monday was her 10th of the season.

Kyleigh Glaze had an impactful day at the dish in the victory, as the junior first basemen slugged three hits, including a huge two-run homer in the third inning. Gaussa also grabbed two hits for Bentworth.

One of the key aspects to the Bearcats’ offense this spring has been their team speed. Altogether, the team has combined for 60 stolen bases, 19 of which came from Gonglik and nine from Gaussa. That speed on the base paths might be a critical factor in a low-scoring game against Laurel.

“Our speed has been outstanding this year,” Cramer said. “To be honest with you, I thought we would be more of a power lineup with extra base hits. But our lineup has a lot speed, our girls can run from our leadoff hitter to the bottom of the order. We will try to squeeze out some runs with our quickness.”

Gonglik battled Laurel’s Autumn Boyd in the pitcher’s circle the last time they faced each other.

Gonglik went seven innings and allowed a run off five hits (three bunts) with 14 strikeouts and two walks, while Boyd’s final numbers were 6 2/3 innings and she allowed two runs off five hits with 13 strikeouts and three walks.

“You got two power pitchers that want to attack the hitters and take over the game,” Cramer said. “It is an interesting matchup and I expect it to be low-scoring, but who knows. Anything can happen in the playoffs. Their pitcher has D-1 talent and has array of pitches she can throw at you from the drop curve to a nasty changeup. We might have to move up in the batter’s box and make the proper adjustments.”

Cramer also said Bentworth’s bunt defense will be a key part to the game.

“They were successful last game at bunting against us,” Cramer said. “We cannot give them any extra base runners. On bunts, we need good communication from everybody. Sydney is going to have to be able to field the ball and our catcher (Kayla O’Dell) will be a factor against the bunts. The corner infielders must be aggressive, but also play smart when fielding the ball.”

The Spartans (19-5) picked up a third-place consolation victory over Our Lady of the Sacred Heart after the semifinal loss to the Bearcats and then pulled off an upset over District-9 champion Cranberry in the opening round of the state playoffs.

Both teams carry very similar numbers this spring. Laurel has won 13 of its last 14 games and for the season has outscored the competition by a 203-31 margin. Bentworth has won 17 of their last 18 games and this spring has held a 184-29 margin over their opponents.

“Like I have said to everybody this week, these two teams are very similar,” Cramer said. “Whoever can play a mistake-free game and make the routine plays will win. The game will be on turf, but we are use to that as we played a couple of games down in Tennessee on turf to start the year. The umpire’s strike zone and how much they give on the corners will be key as well. It is all about adjustments.”

Whoever wins Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup will play the winner of Neshannock (24-0) or Saegertown (19-2) in the semifinals Monday. The Lancers swept the regular season series against Laurel (a 3-0 win April 16 and a 5-1 win April 19) and defeated Bentworth, 3-0, in the WPIAL finals last week.