NTL SOFTBALL: ATHENS SWEEPS WELLSBORO IN PAIR OF THREE-INNING SHUTOUTS (24 PHOTOS) (2024-04-26)
Valley Sports ReportWELLSBORO - Athens poured 33 runs across the plate, and allowed just one hit in a doubleheader sweep of Wellsboro here Friday afternoon in NTL Large School Division softball action.
The Wildcats won the first game, 18-0, and the nightcap, 15-0, with both games ending via the 15-run "mercy rule" after three innings.
"We talked the last few days to the girls about being mentally prepared," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "We are playing four games in less than 24 hours, and that includes a lot of bus time.
"We wanted them to be focused and play some solid softball," he noted. "And, the entire team answered today. I’m very happy with the energy I saw.
"The girls hit the ball really hard nearly every at-bat from the top to the bottom of the lineup," said Wendela. "It was impressive to watch and, hopefully, they will continue on tomorrow at the Central Columbia Tournament."
Junior Savannah Persun, and sophomore Maddie Hiley combined for six scoreless innings in the twinbill, including a no-hitter for Hiley in the nightcap.
"We didn’t know what exactly our game plan for pitching was going to be today as we were going to play it inning by inning," said Wendela. "However, Maddie Hiley played a huge role for us pitching no-hit ball in both games, and really kept Wellsboro in check."
"It was just a big-time performance and a bonus for the team looking ahead tomorrow," noted Wendela. "Now, we have rested pitchers and we can go back to a regular game plan.
"I am really proud of her effort for her team today," he added.
First Game
Athens 18, Wellsboro 0Freshmen McKenna Jarvis and Gretchan Hiley powered Athens’ 12-hit attack in an 18-0 three-inning win over Wellsboro in the first game of the twinbill Friday.
Athens plated eight runs in the first inning, then pushed nine more across the plate in the second inning to take a 17-0 lead.
Junior Savannah Persun, and sophomore Maddie Hiley, meanwhile, combined on a 1-hitter. Persun allowed the hit in two scoreless inning, while striking out three to earn the win. Hiley struck out two in a perfect inning of relief.
Jarvis tripled and doubled, scored one run, and had four RBI, and lead-off hitter Gretchan Hiley had three hits, including two doubles, scored four runs, and had one RBI, while junior Jules Pack stroked two singles, scored three runs, and drove in three runs, and Persun doubled, scored one run, and knocked in three runs.
Junior Ella Coyle doubled, scored two run, and had two RBI in the win, while Maddie Hiley doubled, scored two runs, and knocked in one run, sophomore Danica May singled and scored two runs, sophomore Savannah Finan singled, and scored one run, and senior Ashlyn VanFleet scored two runs, and drove in two runs.
Second Game
Athens 15, Wellsboro 0Sophomore Maddie Hiley tossed a no-hitter, and Athens pounded out 15 hits in a 15-0 three-inning win over Wellsboro in the nightcap of the doubleheader Friday.
Maddie Hiley fanned four and walked one in three innings to earn the win.
The Wildcats took immediate control of the game with seven runs in the bottom of the first inning, then scored eight runs in the third to invoke the 15-run "mercy rule."
Junior Jules Pack was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI, and freshman Gretchen Hiley had three hits, one runs scored, and two RBI to lead Athens at the plate, while senior Ashlyn VanFleet doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Maddie Hiley was 2-for-2 with a run scored, and one RBI.
Junior Savannah Persun singled twice, scored two runs, and drove in one run in the win, while junior Ella Coyle singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, freshmen McKenna Jarvis and Ruby Kocsis each had one hit, two runs scored, and one RBI, and senior Marissa Butler, and freshman Megan Morgan crossed the plate once.
Athens, now 5-5, squares off with Milton Saturday morning in the opening round of the Central Columbia Tournament, then will face either Executive Education or Central Columbia in the consolation game, or the championship game at 1 p.m.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Maddie Hiley. … PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.
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