NTL SOFTBALL: ATHENS TOPS WYALUSING, 8-4, FOR 10TH WIN OF SEASON (24 PHOTOS) (2024-05-08)
Valley Sports ReportATHENS - Athens scored three runs in the third and fourth innings to erase an early deficit en route to an 8-4 win over Wyalusing here Wednesday afternoon in NTL Large School softball action.
"I’m proud of the team’s effort today against a feisty Wyalusing softball team," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "We dug a bit of a hole coming out flat and this is the team’s first time coming back from behind … I think the experience and confidence will go a long way as we move down the final stretch.
"Gretchen Hiley gave us a solid couple of innings, then Savannah Persun came in for relief getting her 300th strikeout to earn the win — a big congratulations to her.
"We made some adjustments on offense and put some runs on the board," noted Wendela. "I think everyone followed suit after that.
"Overall. it’s a good team win and we will look to fine-tune a few things and keep the momentum going into our last regular season week," added Wendela.
Athens got on the board first in the bottom of the first. Freshman Gretchan Hiley led off with a single, moved to second on a one-out walk to senior Ashlyn VanFleet, advanced to third on an error that loaded the bases, and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Jules Pack.
The Rams took advantage of an Athens two-out error to score two runs during a three-rally in the top of the second to take a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the third, Wyalusing had two runners gunned down at the plate — the first on a relay from center fielder Gretchan Hiley to shortstop junior Ella Coyle to VanFleet at catcher, and the second from left field freshman Ruby Kocsis to Coyle to VanFleet.
Athens rode that momentum, and plated three runs in the home half of the inning. VanFleet worked a one-out walk, and scored three pitches later on an RBI triple by sophomore Maddie Hiley, who scored on an RBI single by Pack to tie the game at 3-3.
After a walk to Coyle, and a wild pitch, Pack scored on a groundout off the bat of sophomore Savannah Finan to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.
Persun registered her milestone 300th career strikeout to start the top of the fourth inning, then ended the 1-2-3 inning with her 301st strikeout.
The Wildcats added to their advantage in the fourth inning with three runs to take a 7-3 lead.
Persun retired the Rams in order in the top of the fifth, then gave up a lead-off homer to Allie Liddick in the sixth that closed the gap to 7-4.
Ashley Fluck followed with a double, but Persun retired the next three batters.
The Wildcats got the run back in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Pack to make it 8-4.
Persun earned the win in relief, allowing one run on six hits, while striking out four and walking none in 4 2/3 innings.
Gretchan Hiley made the start, allowing three runs — one earned — on three hits, while striking out four, and walking two in 2 1/3 innings.
Pack singled twice, scored one run, and had three RBI, while Maddie Hiley tripled and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Gretchan Hiley doubled and singled, and scored two runs to pace Athens’ nine-hit attack.
Finan singled and drove in a run in the win, while Kocsis singled, and scored one run, sophomore Danica May added a single, VanFleet scored two runs, and had one RBI, and Persun scored one run.
Athens, now 10-7, returns to action next week against Canton.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Savannah Persun. … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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