DISTRICT 4 SOFTBALL: HILEY POWERS ATHENS IN 2-0 WIN OVER JERSEY SHORE, AND INTO FIRST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SINCE 2015 (24 PHOTOS) (2025-05-24)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportW'PORT — Sophomore Gretchan Hiley spun a 1-hitter, and her base-running in the first inning created all the runs Athens would need in a 2-0 win over Jersey Shore here Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the District 4, Class 4A softball playoffs here at Elm Park.
The top-seeded Wildcats improve to 20-1 on the season, and will play for its first-ever District 4 title Wednesday against second-seeded Central Columbia.
"It's been a great season, and we just want to keep it going," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "It's been our main goal for the year ... obviously, we want to keep playing after the district championships.
"The girls are working really, really hard," added Wendela. "They had a heck of a week of practice last week. The girls want to go win that championship.
Athens has been to the District 4 championship game twice, losing to Milton in 2012, and Jersey Shore in 2015.
On Saturday, Gretchan Hiley led off the game with an eight-pitch at-bat that ended when she scorched a double down the left-field line to the fence.
With one out, sophomore McKenna Jarvis grounded out to third base, and Hiley broke for third on the throw. Jersey Shore's first baseman attempted to throw her out at third, but the throw sailed high, and Hiley hustled home to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
"Gretchan (Hiley) hustles, she's athletic, and has a high base-running IQ," said Wendela. "Shame on me that I pinch-ran for her most of the season trying to keep her healthy, but she can make things happen on the base paths."
The Wildcats didn't mount much offense the remainder of the game until the fifth inning when senior Gretchen Schmieg reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Danica May, and scored on a two-out RBI double by junior Maddie Hiley to make it 2-0.
Freshman Memphis Paul added two singles in the win.
In the circle, Hiley fanned 13 and walked one to earn the win. She faced only one spot of trouble in the fifth inning when she walked a batter and allowed her only hit to put runners on first and second with one out. However, a lazy fly ball and a strikeout ended the threat.
Athens committed just one error, a two-out miscue in the third inning, but Hiley retired the next batter.
"Our defense has been really good this year, we're really proud of that.
"When Gretchan pitches that good and we play good defense, it's a great recipe to have," said Wendela.
"We always say, four or five runs in the magic number, and most of the time it's less than that," he added.
Hiley is 18-1 on the season with an 0.92 ERA, and 249 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched, but she credits everyone around her for her success.
"(Assistant coach) Pat (Persun) calls my pitches, so I put my trust in Pat, throw as hard as I can, and try to spin the ball," she said.
"And, our defense has been very good ... and it was again today," Hiley added.
Hiley was the No. 2 pitcher on last year's team, and likely would have been this season as well, but senior Savannah Persun suffered a knee injury at the end of the soccer season in the fall, and is still re-habbing after surgery.
"I never saw this coming," said Wendela. "It's unfortunate that Savannah (Persun) went down, but it was kind of a blessing in disguise.
"People didn't see the work Gretchan put in over the summer," noted Wendela. "Then she started pitching, and after the first couple games, I'm scratching my head, thinking 'OK, we're working with something here.'
"She has been amazing," added Wendela. "She's been dealing, and pitching her butt off."
Hiley never envisioned this type of season either.
"I didn't think we'd be having the year we've been having, but I'm very happy we are," said Hiley.
"It took a lot of hard work by everyone, that's how we got here," she added.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens sophomore Gretchan Hiley. IN PHOTO 2: Athens junior Maddie Hiley. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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