Player of the Week: Delaney D’Hondt, Methuen Softball

Methuen freshman Delaney D’Hondt has been selected as the Valley Sports Daily Player of the Week for April 6 through April. 12. D’Hondt is the second student-athlete chosen as Player of the Week for the spring season.

Since striking out 11 hitters in her varsity debut, D’Hondt has been on a tear for Methuen (1-3). D’Hondt would go on to strike out 11 more batters in her next start against Chelmsford while also notching a triple at the plate. It only gets better. In a close 6-3 loss to Billerica, D’Hondt fanned 10 hitters and was on base all four times. She spun a one-hitter with 10 more punchouts on Monday.

“Softball pitchers have an extremely hard job,” said Methuen head coach Jason Smith. “And there is even more pressure thrust upon the shoulders of a freshman on varsity stepping into the circle in the MVC. Delaney has responded really well to the challenge and shown that she certainly belongs. If we help her out a little more defensively and ease the pressure by scoring some more runs, she will be even stronger as the season progresses. She works really hard (with assistant coach Jackie Rubino and pitching coach Lauren Otto) honing her craft, and the future is so bright for her. Delaney is just getting started!”

The Player of the Week is selected by the Valley Sports Daily staff. Nominations can be submitted throughout the week up until Saturday night at 8:00 PM. There may be a poll posted on Sunday with the nominations. The results of the poll influence the selection but do not strictly dictate the decision.