NTL SOFTBALL: HILEY SPINS NO-HITTER; ATHENS BLANKS TROY, 1-0, TO WIN SECOND STRAIGHT LARGE SCHOOL TITLE (24 PHOTOS) (May 12, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
ATHENS — There are signature performances, and then there are signature performances.

Junior Gretchan Hiley turned in a performance verging on iconic Tuesday, tossing a no-hitter and striking out 17 in a 1-0 win over Troy to clinch the Wildcats second straight outright NTL Large School Division title.

"It was a great performance by Gretchan," said Wendela. "She was just a couple of walks away from a perfect game today.

"It was really nice to see with the NTL championship on the line and Troy coming to play with a purpose.

"She also got her 500th strikeout as a junior, you don’t see that happen very often," added Wendela. "It was a pretty impressive day for her. She really looked sharp with her pitches, and we're going to need that going into postseason play."

In Wendela's four years at the helm, Athens has won two NTL titles. Prior to his arrival, the Wildcats won just one.

"I'm proud of the girls," said Wendela. "A few years ago when our seniors were freshmen, we made it a point of emphasis that we are the biggest school in the NTL and the school only had one banner on the wall after all these years. 

"This group not only matched that, but to go back-to-back speaks volumes about the talent we have. 

"The NTL is well-represented and is a very, very good league," he added. "I think it will make noise in district play — from 1A to 4A."

Hiley struck out the side in the first inning to give her 501 for her career.

Hiley also manufactured the game's only run in the bottom of the third inning. 

After a one-out infield single, Hiley moved to second on a passed ball, stole third base, and scooted home when the throw to third base sailed into left field.

Hiley retired the last 14 batters she faced, including nine by strikeout, to preserve the win.

Hiley walked two batters, and threw just 84 pitches in the seven-inning complete game win.

Emily Knapp was the tough-luck loser, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out 11 and walking none in six innings.

Athens, now 13-3, hosts Lake Lehman Wednesday.

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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Gretchan Hiley. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.

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