NTL SOFTBALL: HILEY'S 2-HITTER LEADS ATHENS TO ITS SCHOOL-RECORD 16TH WIN OF SEASON (2025-05-12)

Valley Sport Report
ATHENS — Sophomore Gretchan Hiley tossed a 2-hitter to lead Athens to a school-record 16th victory — a 3-0 win over South Williamsport — here Monday afternoon in non-league softball action.

Athens improves to 16-1 on the season, eclipsing the school record of 15 wins set in 2021.

Hiley, who registered her 200th strikeout of the season during the game, fanned 16 and walked one in posting her fifth complete-game shutout of the season. Hiley has recorded double-figure in strikeouts in 14 of her 16 appearances, and her low on the season was eight against Berwick in a perfect three-inning outing.

"Gretchan (Hiley) again stepped up and pitched a really, really good game," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "She got her 200th strikeout for the season tonight and that's a really impressive accomplishment."

Gretchan Hiley has 204 strikeouts in 100 innings this season, and has a 15-1 record with a 0.91 ERA.

Wendela also credited his team's approach at the plate against a "very good" South Williamsport pitcher.

"It was a good team win against a very good south Williamsport team who will likely make a lot of noise in the Class 2A districts," he said.

"I have to give the girls credit on making adjustments early in the game," noted Wendela. "South's pitcher was throwing a real good drop ball, and we adjusted quick and got a few runs early on them — it was some good team focus.

"We've been preaching scoring 4 to 5 runs a game and we can be a tough team to beat," added Wendela. "Overall, it was a great game and a good tune-up heading into postseason play. I'm real proud of the effort and energy the girls showed tonight."

The Mounties led off the game with a single, but freshman catcher Memphis Paul threw her out stealing. South Williamsport did not get another hit until one out in the seventh inning.

Athens didn't get a hit until senior Gretchen Schmieg reached on a one-out bunt single that moved junior Danica May, who had reached on an error, to second base.

After Gretchan Hiley walked to load the bases, junior Maddie Hiley flared a two-run single into right field to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead.

"Gretchen Schmieg put down a perfect bunt to get it started, and the top of the lineup loaded the bases for Maddie Hiley, who fought a good pitch and put it in play for a big hit," said Wendela.

The Wildcats added an insurance run in the sixth inning. With two outs, senior Jules Pack doubled, and senior Ella Coyle lined a single into left field. Moments later, Pack scampered home on a wild pitch as junior Savannah Finan squared to bunt.

"Jules Pack and Ella Coyle grabbed some big two-out hits that helped produce a run on a great fake bunt from Savannah Finan," said Wendela.

Maddie Hiley singled and drove in two runs, while Pack doubled and scored one run,  Schmieg singled and scored one run, sophomore McKenna Jarvis doubled, Coyle singled, and May scored one run to account for the Athens offense.

Athens returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Wellsboro.

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IN PHOTO: Athens sophomore Gretchan Hiley. ... VSR STOCK PHOTO.

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