Syracuse softball: Sydney O’Hara named ESPNW player of the week

Syracuse Orange softball’s Sydney O’Hara spent the weekend picking up some valuable saves for SU against Gardner-Webb, but that was nothing compared to what the senior Cicero native accomplished against NC State on March 10.

In the second game of a doubleheader, O’Hara went 4-for-4 from the plate with four home runs and four RBIs. She’s the fifth NCAA softball player to ever hit that many home runs in a single game.

Just as important, Syracuse won that matchup with NC State, 11-5.

As she told ESPNW, "After the game I sat there on the bus and was like 'What did I just do?' It was shocking to me."

O’Hara was honored by ESPNW with their player of the week award, going to the country’s best women’s athlete. The record-tying performance made the rounds on ESPN at the time, getting a special shoutout on SportsCenter.

With O’Hara’s success this past week and for the full season, Syracuse has thrived accordingly. The Orange are 15-8 on the year, though just 1-2 in league play (after last week’s series with NC State). They’re 11-4 on a neutral field, however, which certainly helps the resume.

SU will be away from home yet again this Friday, playing three at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Orange finally get a date at Skytop Softball Stadium next Friday, vs. Louisville.