VALLEY SPORTS REPORT: TIOGA'S FEEKO NAMED SOFTBALL 'PLAYER OF YEAR;' WAVERLY FOURSOME, ATHENS' HILEY, TIOGA'S ROGERS ALSO EARN ALL-VALLEY TOP HONORS (June 18, 2026)

Valley Sports Report
THE VALLEY — Tioga senior RaeAnne Feeko capped her brilliant career with an outstanding season and is the Valley Sports Report 2025-26 "Softball Player of the Year."

Waverly freshman Taylin Gonzalez took her game to the next level in 2025-26 and is the "Offensive Player of the Year," while Waverly senior Maddie Cron changed positions and ended up as the "Defensive Player of the Year," and Tioga 8th-grader Maddie Rogers played arguably the toughest position on the field and is the "Newcomer of the Year."

Athens junior Gretchan Hiley had another outstanding season in the circle, and is the "Pitcher of the Year," while Waverly 8th-grader Paige Bubniak was the "Breakout Player of the Year," and Waverly coach Brent Doane directed a midseason turnaround and is the "Coach of the Year."

Feeko is an excellent defender at shortstop, runs the bases exceptionally well, and does all the little things right, while wielding a devastating bat.

Feeko hit .600 (39 hits in 65 ABs) with 12 base on balls for .671 on-base percentage. She also posted 1.169 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 1.840.

Eighteen of Feeko's 39 hits were for extra-bases. She recorded eight doubles, one triple, and nine home runs, to go along with 37 RBI, 39 runs scored. She was also 19-for-19 on stolen bases.

Gonzalez, who was also a standout in the circle (see below), had an incredible season at the plate. 

Gonzalez hit .615 (40 hits in 65 ABs) with eight doubles, seven home runs, 36 RBI, and 31 runs scored. She also had 13 base on balls, and a .684 on-base percentage.

Cron, who was an above-average defender at third base for four seasons, moved to center field this season for the Wolverines, and was outstanding, showcasing excellent range and a strong arm.

Hiley posted a 13-3 record with a 0.79 ERA before her season came to an end with a broken arm in the final week of the regular season.

Hiley fanned 204 and walked 25 in 106 1/3 inning, with opponents hitting .152 against her.

Rogers hit .406 (28 hits in 69 ABs) with two doubles, one triple, 14 RBI and 19 runs scored. She also walked 11 times for a .488 on-base percentage and stole six bases.

Behind the plate, Rogers handled her pitchers well, and she threw out five runners attempting to steal.

Only an 8th-grader, but a second-year starter, Bubniak switched to the hot corner defensively this season, and did a good job for the Wolverines.

At the plate, Bubniak hit .419 (up from .288 last year) with 26 hits in 62 at-bats. She had six doubles, one triple, 14 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases.

Following a loss at Oneonta in late April, Waverly stood at 4-4, but Doane stayed the course with his young Wolverines.

Waverly reeled off 10 straight wins to end the season to win the STAC Central Division, qualify for the Section IV, Class A playoffs, and earn a home playoff game.

———————

2026 ALL-VALLEY SOFTBALL 
Player of the Year: RaeAnne Feeko, Tioga
Offensive Player of the Year: Taylin Gonzalez, Waverly
Defensive Player of the Year: Maddie Cron, Waverly
Pitcher of the Year: Gretchan Hiley, Athens
Newcomer of the Year: Maddie Rogers, Tioga
Breakout Player of the Year: Paige Bubniak, Waverly
Coach of the Year: Brent Doane, Waverly

—————————

2026 All-Valley Softball Super 7
RaeAnne Feeko, senior, Tioga: See above.

Gretchan Hiley, junior, Athens: A dominant hurler (see above), Gretchan Hiley hit .232 (13 hits in 56 ABs) with one triple, one double, four RBI, 14 runs scored, and five stolen bases.

Taylin Gonzalez, freshman, Waverly: Dominant at the plate (see above), Gonzalez also posted a strong season in the pitcher's circle.

Gonzalez posted a 10-6 record with a 2.77 ERA. She struck out 133 and walked 73 in 108 2/3 innings pitched, while allowing 94 hits.

Kate Kithcart, freshman, Tioga: Kithcart hit .579 (44 hits in 76 at-bats) .829 slugging percentage for a 1.419 OPS. She had six doubles, two triples, and three home runs with 35 RBI, 26 runs scored, and was 8-for-8 in stolen bases.  She struck out just twice.

In the circle, Kithcart was 10-6 with a 3.66 ERA. She struck out 100 and walked just 12 in 99 1/3 innings.

Hannah Carpenter, junior, Waverly: Carpenter hit .448 (30 hits in 67 ABs) with 10 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 33 RBI and 19 runs scored.

She was also a Gold Glove defender behind the plate for the Wolverines.

Maddie Cron, senior, Waverly: Cron hit .478 (33 hits in 69 ABs) with 12 doubles, two triples, 23 RBI, 31 runs cored, and three stolen bases.

After being a top-notch defender at third base for three years, Cron switched to the outfield this season and was the "Defensive Player of the Year."

Maddie Hiley, senior, Athens: Maddie Hiley hit .339 (19 hits in 56 ABs) with three doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI, seven runs scored and four RBI. She walked 10 times, was hit by pitches three times and had a .449 on-base percentage.

In the circle, Maddie Hiley was 1-1.

All-Valley Second 7
Lilly Mezzatesta, senior, Tioga: Mezzatesta hit .468 with a .710 slugging percentage and a 1.270 OPS. She had 29 hits in 75 ABs, with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 24 RBI and 13 runs scored, and walked 13 times for a .560 on-base percentage.

McKenna Jarvis, junior, Athens: Jarvis hit .310 (18 hits in 58 ABs) with two doubles, two triples, one home run, nine RBI, 15 runs scored, and nine stolen bases.

Memphis Paul, sophomore, Athens: Paul hit .308 (16 hits in 52 ABs) with four doubles, eight RBI, seven runs scored, and three stolen bases. She was also a Gold Glover behind the plate for the Wildcats.

Lecksie Douglas, junior, Waverly: Douglas hit .414 (29 hits in 70 ABs) with three doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.

Paige Bubniak, 8th-grade, Waverly: See above.

Rylee Lantz, senior, Sayre: Lantz hit .306 (15 hits in 49 ABs) with two doubles, three triples, eight RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Maddy Rogers, 8th-grader, Tioga: See above.

2026 All-Valley Super 7 Newcomers
Maddy Rogers, 8th-grader, Tioga: See above.

Kyah Nelson, sophomore, Tioga: Nelson hit .408 (20 hits in 49 ABs) with a slugging percentage of .612 and a 1.075 OPS. She had five doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

Olivia Shugars, 8th-grader, Tioga: Shugars hit .275 (14 hits in 51 ABs) with two doubles, one home run, 13 RBI, and 18 runs scored.

On the mound, Shugars was 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA. She struck out 22 and walked 13 in 19 innings in the circle.

Mya Allen, freshman, Athens: Allen hit .220 (11 hits in 50 ABs) with two doubles, five RBI, and six runs scored.

Kendall Galasso, sophomore, Athens: Galasso hit .304 (seven hits in 23 ABs) with two doubles, four RBI, four runs scored, and one stolen base.

Abby DeLosa, freshman, Athens: DeLosa ended her second varsity season with one double, two home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and one stolen base.

Mya Freese, 8th-grade, Tioga: Freese hit .343 (12 hits in 35 ABs) with one double, five RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases.

2026 All-Valley GOLD GLOVES
Maddie Cron, senior, Waverly: See above.
Hannah Carpenter, junior, Waverly
RaeAnne Feeko, senior, Tioga
Kendall Galasso, sophomore, Athens
Maddie Hiley, senior, Athens
Kate Kithcart, freshman, Tioga
Bri Lounsbury, freshman, Tioga
Memphis Paul, sophomore, Athens
Olivia Thompson, senior, Athens
Delaney Wheeler, senior, Waverly

—————————

PAST WINNERS
"Softball Player of the Year"
2026 — RaeAnne Feeko, Tioga
2025 — Gretchan Hiley, Athens
2024 — RaeAnne Feeko, Tioga
2023 — Olivia Robinson, Waverly
2022 — Caydence Macik, Athens
2021 — Harley Sullivan, Athens
2020 — NONE (Covid).
2019 — Wendi Hammond, Waverly
2018 — Wendi Hammond, Waverly
2017 — Shailei Kraft, Waverly
2016 — Sam Wood, Tioga
2015 — Sam Wood, Tioga
2014 — Sam Wood, Tioga
2013  — Sam Mennig, Waverly
2012 — Christin Dunkling, Athens
2011 — Sarah Wayson, Tioga
2010 — Sarah Wayson, Tioga

Print Friendly Version