By Jared Emerson
OKLAHOMA CITY — Sydney Hoffman (Lewisburg, Pa.) was almost untouchable from the circle over the weekend. Hoffman’s 4-0 record with two no-hitters, 21 strikeouts, a .066 ERA and only four hits given up helped her earn the ninth ASA Junior Olympic (JO) Player of the Week award, presented by Worth Fastpitch and StudentSports.com. Announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA)/USA Softball, the pitcher helped lead her 12U PA Power Elite to a 5-0 record and a championship finish at the Pennsylvania ASA 12U Class B State Championship.
“It was a really well setup tournament,” said Hoffman. “We’ve gone for the last three years, and our team really enjoys playing in this tournament. I think we played well as a team together, and everybody did their best. It’s a huge advantage to have a really good defense behind you.”
Not to be outdone by her pitching, Hoffman also had a stellar weekend at the plate. She hit .631 (12-for-19) with 13 RBI and an on-base percentage of .842. Almost half of her hits were for extra bases, and she walked four times. When she wasn’t pitching, Hoffman was in the outfield, ensuring she had an impact in almost every facet of the game.
“Sydney was really poised to win this state championship,” said PA Power Elite head coach Mike Wolfe. “She wanted it really bad. She talked about it from almost the beginning of the year. For her to go 4-0 and hit the way she did, it was a real special thing for her.”
Established to recognize JO players 18 years or younger for outstanding play in an ASA/USA sanctioned event, the ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week will honor 14 athletes, male or female, from May 9 – August 8 following the conclusion of the ASA/USA JO National Championships. Nominations will be taken on a week-by-week basis (see below schedule) and will be submitted and accepted through http://www.studentsports.com/softball/2014/02/12/asa-player-week-form/ until noon ET every Tuesday. In order to be eligible for the award, athletes must be registered with their local ASA/USA association and must have participated in ASA/USA Softball sanctioned events or tournaments during the week nominated.
2014 ASA/USA Softball JO Player of the Week award schedule
Week 1 (April 30 – May 6): Faith Willis (Liberty, Mo.) – Originals-Shanks
Week 2 (May 7 – 13): Allie Roberts (Rogers, Minn.) – Northwest Diamonds
Week 3 (May 14 – 20): Jordyn Kadlub – Tampa Mustangs
Week 4 (May 21 – 27): Lauren Mathis (Windermere, Fla.) – Windermere Wildfire
Week 5 (May 28-June 3): Mackenzie Dixon (Huntsville, Texas.) – Huntsville Heat
Week 6 (June 4 – 10): Lauren Gohacki (Finleyville, Pa.) – Pittsburgh Diamond Stars 14U
Week 7 (June 11 – 17): Avery Winchell (New Cumberland, Pa.) – Columbus County Magic Red 12U
Week 8 (June 18 – 24): Morgan Hirai (Pasco, Wash.) – Tri-City Fuzion 12U|
Week 9 (June 25 – July 1): Sydney Hoffman (Lewisburg, Pa.) – PA Power Elite 12U
Week 10 (July 2 – 8): Winner announced July 11
Week 11 (July 9 – 15): Winner announced July 18
Week 12 (July 16 – 22): Winner announced July 25
Week 13 (July 23 – 29): Winner announced August 1
Week 14 (July 30 – August 5): Winner announced August 8
Honorable Mentions:
Jenna Kuhn (Apple Valley, Minn.) – Jenna played a major role in an undefeated weekend for the Eastview Lightning Black 12U. Kuhn boasted an impressive .750 batting average (6-for-8) with two RBI, two doubles, two triples and six runs scored. She also performed in the circle for her squad, going 5-0 with 36 strikeouts and a 2.20 ERA over 17 innings pitched.
Lauren Caswell (Aurora, Ind.) – Lauren put up incredible numbers at the Heatin’ it up tournament in Wilmington, Ohio. Lauren put up a .647 batting average (11-for-17) with seven RBI, four doubles and eight runs scored en route to a 5-1 team record and third-place finish. She also performed on defense for her team with 11 put outs and teaming up for three double plays.
