NTL SOFTBALL: ATHENS SNAPS LOSING STREAK AGAINST TROY WITH 5-3 WIN (24 PHOTOS) (2025-03-24)
By CHRIS MANNINGValley Sports ReportATHENS — Athens hasn’t had much luck against Troy recently, but that all changed Monday as they jumped out early, and held on late to beat the Trojans, 5-3, during NTL Large School softball action.
“To get this one, that’s a good win,” said Athens coach Brian Wendela. “I was 0-for-4 against them, so it’s been a long time coming. They’re a good team, anytime you can beat Troy, it’s a good victory for the athletes.”
Sophomore Gretchan Hiley was strong in the circle, going the distance for the win with 12 strikeouts, two walks, two hits, and three runs, two of which were earned. At one point she retired nine in a row, and counting her shutout win over Towanda Saturday, didn’t record an earned run for 13 innings until giving up a 2-run home run in the top of the seventh.
“It was an awesome job,” Wendela said. “Even today, when that wind was cutting through so hard, and it was making her pitches move a little bit more than usual. But she’s a gamer, I’ve been telling everyone that we’ve got a solid pitcher, and she’s making a statement. Game by game, she’s doing one heck of a job so far.”
Hiley (2-for-4) also had a double with an RBI, and senior Gretchen Schmieg (1-for-2) also had a double, a run scored, and drove one in.
Freshman Memphis Paul (1-for-2), sophomore McKenna Jarvis, senior Ella Coyle, and junior Danica May all scored runs, and junior Savannah Finan and May both drove in a run. Junior Maddie Hiley (1-for-4) added a hit.
Madi Palmer (1-for-3) had a 2-run home run to lead Troy, as Marlee Stanton (1-for-2) had their other hit.
Haidyn Watson got the start, and went 1 2/3-innings to take the loss. She struck out two with no walks, three hits, and four runs.
Olivia Champluvier went the final 4 1/3-innings with three strikeouts while allowing just three hits, three walks, and one earned run.
Troy struck first as Ayres drew a walk, followed by Erinn Knapp reaching on an error. Both would move up a base on a wild pitch, setting up Champluvier’s bunt.
Athens went for Ayres, but she broke for home when the throw went to third. The throw to home beat her, but the catcher dropped the ball, allowing Ayres to score to put Troy up 1-0.
The Wildcats rallied in the second as Paul led off with a hit, followed by Coyle getting hit by a pitch.
After an out, Finan drove in Paul on a groundout to knot the game up at 1-1 with two outs.
May then hit one back to Watson, who tried to go home to get Coyle, but the catcher dropped the ball, making it 2-1 Athens.
A double by Schmieg scored May, then Schmieg scored on a Gretchen Hiley single for the 4-1 lead.
“I like to see that from our team early,” Wendela said. “It’s something in the past that hasn’t happened, but it’s a new team, a new year, and I’m excited that they’re ready to answer.”
The Wildcats pushed another run across in the third as Jarvis drew an inning-opening walk. She worked her way around the bases, finally taking home on wild pitch with two outs for a 5-1 lead.
The Trojans rallied in the top of the seventh as Stanton drew a lead-off walk. After an out, Palmer hit her second home run of the season, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
Hiley, though, ended the game with a fly out, and then a strikeout for the win.
The Wildcats hit the road for the first time the rest of week, traveling to Wellsboro on Tuesday, and Wyalusing on Thursday.
“I’ve been telling everyone we had eight teams make the playoffs last year, so it’s going to be a tough night every night in our NTL league,” Wendela said. “But it’s nice to start off on the right foot, and get that. It’s still one game at a time.”
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PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Gretchan Hiley. ... PHOTOS BY MATT PATTON.
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