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Colorado State-bound 2020 RHP/1B Sydney Hornbuckle could be one of the key new pieces that could help So Cal Athletics-Richardson win a PGF 18U Premier national championship next summer.
The So Cal A’s already had Arizona-bound 2020 RHP/1B Devyn Netz, but the addition of Hornbuckle, a three-time Cal-Hi Sports All-State selection, will bolster the pitching staff and could put Bruce Richardson’s team over the top.
Hornbuckle’s tag-team partner/twin sister Katelyn Hornbuckle has total belief in her sister.
“Sydney is very mart with a 4.2 GPA and loves to read,” said Katelyn, a catcher who is also committed to Colorado State. “She is witty and sarcastic in a good way. She is loud, happy and all around just a good person with good energy. She is my sister, best friend, and she is also a good teammate.
“Sydney is someone that just loves the game and you can see it every time she takes the field,” her twin sister continues. “She the type of player that makes you get excited by how she plays. She is a power-lefty hitter and plays other positions. which is great because she fields very well off the mound. There has been so many games where Syd either strikes out the batters or fields any little hit they get.”
“One time in a high school game at the Torrance tournament, Syd had made every out all the way till the sixth inning. She is always working to be better. We drive six hours from Bakersfield just for an hour of pitching lessons in L.A. Sydney brings so much to a team. Most of all, she hardly ever gives up runs. She spins the ball so much and has a great change-up. I love calling pitches for her. She is confident and she hates to lose. She digs in when her team needs her and has come through so many times in tough situations on the mound and at the plate.”
Montana-bound 2020 OF Elise Ontiveros played with Hornbuckle on So Cal Athletics-Briggs 16U team and has also made the jump to Richardson’s 18U squad.
“Sydney, as a person and player, always puts other’s needs before herself,” Ontiveros said. “She is an unselfish player, always giving her catcher the credit for strikeouts and fielders the credits for outs. To the team, she brings huge support and constant positive energy. She always works hard and focuses when on the mound and never gives up.”
Arizona-bound 2020 2B/SS Allie Skaggs, the reigning Kentucky Gatorade State Player of the Year, is new to the So Cal A’s organization, but has made a quick connection with Hornbuckle, ranked No. 52 in the 2020 Extra Elite 100.
“Sydney is one of those teammates that makes you better just by being around them,” Skaggs said. “She has a great positive energy to her and is friendly to anyone she’s with. I love playing on the field behind her because I know she is always giving her full effort, and she plays with a great confidence because she believes in her teammates behind her. She’s one of those people that others look to in times of stress because of the calm presence she gives as well.”
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