NTL SOFTBALL: PERSUN'S 19 STRIKEOUTS POWERS ATHENS TO FIRST WIN OF SEASON (2024-04-14)

Valley Sports Report
TIOGA JUNCTION, Pa. — Athens lost its first three games of the season, but junior Savannah Persun made sure it wasn’t going to be four in a row.

Persun allowed two runs on two hits, while striking out a career-high 19 batters and walking three in a complete-game, seven-inning outing to earn the victory in a 4-2 win over Williamson in NTL softball action here Sunday afternoon.

“Today was a good team effort, but what a day for Savannah Persun,” said Athens coach Brian Wendela. “She was a problem for the Williamson team.

“She didn’t miss many pitches, and worked ahead in the count,” noted Wendela. “She kept Williamson girls guessing all day … not many times you see 19 strikeouts thrown by one pitcher.

“She really led the way today,” he added. “She also led our offense with some quality at bats. I’m proud of her effort today, it was fun to watch.”

Senior Ashlyn VanFleet ripped a two-out triple in the top of the first inning, but was stranded at third.

In the bottom of the first, Persun worked out of one of the only jams she faced on the day. After a one-out single, and a two-out walk, she registered her second strike out of the inning to avoid any damage.

In the top of the second, junior Ella Coyle reached on a lead-off walk, and took third on an error off the bat of sophomore Savannah Finan.

After Coyle scooted home on a passed ball, junior Jules Pack reached on a walk.

With two outs, freshman Gretchen Hiley ripped a two-RBI triple to make it 3-0, and Persun followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Warriors answered with two runs in the home half of the third inning, but Persun ended the inning with a strikeout, and struck out 12 of the final 13 batters she faced, including the last eight of the game.

Athens had runners in scoring position in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but could not add to its lead.

“We’re still struggling to piece together multiple hits and hits with runners in scoring position, but we are getting quality at-bats,” said Wendela. “I think hitting is contagious, and we will hit our stride sooner than later.”

Persun doubled and singled, and drove in one run, and VanFleet tripled and singled to pace Athens’ six-hit attack, while Gretchen Hiley doubled, scored one run, and had two RBI, and Coyle singled and scored one run. Pack and Finan each scored one run.

Athens, now 1-3, hosts Northeast Bradford Tuesday.

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IN PHOTO: Athens junior Savannah Persun. … VSR STOCK PHOTO.