NTL SOFTBALL: ATHENS' HILEY NAMED 'ROOKIE OF THE YEAR;' THREE TEAMMATES ALSO EARN ALL-STAR KUDOS (2024-06-07)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY - Athens freshman Gretchan Hiley was named the Northern Tier League "Rookie of the Year," and three of her teammates also received all-star honors in recent voting by the league’s softball coaches.

Joining Gretchan Hiley as first-team selections were her older sister, sophomore Maddie Hiley, as well as junior Savannah Persun. Senior Ashlyn Van Fleet earned a second-team nod.

Gretchan Hiley hit .462 (36 hits in 78 ABs) with 12 doubles, one triple, one home run, 13 RBI, 30 runs scored, and five stolen bases.

She also walked five times, was hit by one pitch, and had a .494 on-base percentage, to go along with a .679 slugging percentage for a 1.174 OPS.

In the pitcher’s circle, Gretchan Hiley was 4-0 with a 1.26 ERA. She allowed 27 hits in 33 1/3 innings, while striking out 53 and walking 22. Opponents hit .205 against her.

North Penn-Liberty’s Kenzie Tice was voted the NTL "Player of Year," wile NEB’s Hannah Berger was tabbed the "Offensive Player of the Year," and NP-L’s Payton Chapel was named the "Defensive Player of the Year."

FIRST TEAM
INFIELD
Maddie Hiley, sophomore, Athens: Maddie Hiley hit .413 (26 hits in 63 ABs) with eight doubles, one triple, 20 RBI, 15 runs scored, and four stolen bases.

She also walked seven times, was hit by pitches four times, and had a .493 on-base percentage, to go along with a .571 slugging percentage for a 1.065 OPS.

Defensively, Maddie Hiley was flawless in 37 defensive chances at multiple positions. She had one passed ball in 11 innings behind the plate, and threw out the only runner who attempted to steal.

Also named to the first-team infield were: Troy’s Lauren Ridall, NP-L’s Addie Smith, Williamson’s Kenna Thomas, and Cowanesque Valley’s Katie Adams.

OUTFIELD
Gretchan Hiley, freshman, Athens: See above

Also named to the first-team outfield were: Cowanesque Valley’s Ashley Woodring, NEB’s Melanie Shumway, and NP-L’s Hailey Litzelman.

PITCHER
Savannah Persun, junior, Athens: Persun posted a 7-8 record with a 2.38 ERA. She allowed 80 hits in 79 1/3 innings, while striking out 102 and walking 26. Opponents hit .249.

At the plate, Persun hit .422 (27 hits in 64 ABs) with six doubles, one home run, 18 RBI, 20 runs scored, and one stolen base. She also walked nine times, was hit by pitches twice, and had a .500 on-base percentage, to go along with a .562 slugging percentage for a 1.062 OPS.

Cowanesque Valley’s Ruby Sherman was also named a first-team pitcher.

CATCHER
First-team catchers were: Troy’s Caitlyn Knapp, and NP-L’s Saige Lehman.

DH / UTILITY
Cowanesque Valley’s Zayara Wilson was named the first-team designated hitter / utility player.

SECOND TEAM
CATCHER
Ashlyn VanFleet, senior, Athens: VanFleet, who missed four games, hit .380 (19 hits in 50 ABs) with three doubles, two triples, four home runs, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

She also walked six times, was hit by four pitches, and had a .368 on-base percentage, to go along with a .760 slugging percentage for a 1.228 OPS.

VanFleet also had a .993 fielding percentage, committing just one error in 138 defensive chances. She had just two passed ball in 92 innings behind the plate.

Williamson’s Logan Hamilton was also a second-team catcher.

INFIELD
Named to the second-team infield were: Wyalusing’s Kylie Pickett, NP’L’s Megan Spohn, Williamson’s Makenna Buchanan, NEB’s Kierra Delaney, and Troy’s Kali Ayres.

OUTFIELD
Named to the second-team outfield were: Williamson’s Olivia Gee, Wyalusing’s Addison Bly, Troy’s Marlee Stanton, and Towanda’s Tallinn Brabant.

PITCHERS
Second-team pitchers were: Towanda’s Shaylee Greenland, NEB’s Makenna Callear, and Troy’s Olivia Champluvier.

DH / UTILITY
Towanda’s Brooklyn Evans was named the second-team designated hitter / utility player.

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