Valley Sports ReportWELLSBORO — Junior Gretchan Hiley tossed a 2-hitter and recorded her 400th career strikeout, and senior Maddie Hiley smacked the go-ahead home run in Athens' 3-0 win over Wellsboro here Tuesday afternoon in NTL Large School baseball action.
"Today was a great pitching matchup," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "Both girls really executed their game plans and pitched well.
"It's quite a feat, Gretchan getting her 400th strikeout, you don’t get to see that everyday," he noted. "I'm proud of her accomplishment.
"We had a week off and haven’t seen any live pitching, but we got enough girls on base and found ways to produce some runs.
"It was another big day by Maddie Hiley," added Wendela. "She is just on fire right now at the plate, and doing what a team captain does 'leading by example.'"
Both teams managed just one hit through the first three innings, and the score was tied at 0-0.
Facing an 0-2 count, Maddie Hiley a pitch over the left field fence to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
With two outs, senior Danica May reached base on an error, and senior Savannah Finan walked. Three passed balls resulted in May and Finan scoring to up the Athens lead to 3-0.
Wellsboro put runners on base in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't get one the final 90 feet.
Gretchan Hiley returned the side in order in the seventh to preserve the win.
Maddie Hiley homered, scored one run, and drove in one run, while sophomore Memphis Paul doubled, Gretchan Hiley added a single, and May and Hailey Smith each scored one run to account for Athens' offense.
Gretchan Hiley fanned 16 and walked two in a seven-inning performance.
Athens, now 7-1, returns to action Wednesday at Wyalusing, then plays Friday at Troy, and Saturday at the Central Columbia Tournament.
"We have a big week ahead, so, hopefully, the bats will come to life," said Wendela.
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens senior Maddie Hiley. IN TOP PHOTO: Maddie Hiley is congratulated at home plate after her home run. ... PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.
