Valley Sports ReportATHENS — Junior Gretchan Hiley was dominant on the mound, and scored the winning run in the eighth inning on a groundout off the bat of freshman Abby DeLosa in a 2-1, walk-off win over Cowanesque Valley here Thursday afternoon in NTL softball action.
"Today was just a well-played ball game," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "Both pitchers really pitched well and the defense was pretty solid by both teams.
Cowanesque (Valley) really came to play some softball and I tip my hat to them.
"We were putting the ball in play and CV just kept making the plays. Sometimes that’s just the way it goes," noted Wendela.
"Credit to the girls for sticking with it and grinding out tough win," added Wendela. "It was a great team effort."
With the scored tied at 1-1, Gretchan Hiley pulled a single into left field, and moments later senior Maddie Hiley was hit by a pitch.
With one out, the Hiley sisters advanced on a wild pitch, then DeLosa hit a groundball to second base that plated Gretchen Hiley with the game-winner.
"Abbey DeLosa had a big day for us, stepping in for injured first baseman Savannah Finan," said Wendela. "She made some nice plays at first base and it was nice to see.
"Then. she finished the game with a walk-off RBI to the right side of the infield," added Wendela. "I was happy to see that for her."
Neither team threatened in the first two innings, but CV started off the top of the third inning with a single and a double to put runners on second and third.
Gretchan Hiley responded with three consecutive strikeouts to give her eight punch-outs through three innings.
The Wildcats answered with consecutive one-out singles by freshman Mya Allen, sophomore Abby Ahern, and Gretchan Hiley to take a 1-0 lead.
CV got on the board in the top of the fourth inning on a one-out triple by Lilah LaBarron, who scored on a groundout to tie the game at 1-1.
Neither team had a runner past first base until Athens' winning rally in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Gretchan Hiley singled twice, scored one run, and drove in one run, and Allen singled twice and scored one run to pace Athens' six-hit attack.
Ahern and senior Savannah Finan each singled in the wins and DeLosa drove in one run for the Wildcats.
Gretchan Hiley earned the win, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out 17 and walking one in eight innings of work.
LaBarron fanned eight and walked three, while allowing two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings for the Indians.
Athens, now 10-2, hosts Lake Lehman Friday in a non-league contest.
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PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM.
