DISTRICT 4 SOFTBALL: ATHENS FALLS TO CENTRAL COLUMBIA IN CLASS 4A SEMIS (24 PHOTOS) (2026-05-21)

By TIM BIRNEY
Valley Sports Report
WILLIAMSPORT — Central Columbia ace Teddi Snavely tossed a five-hitter to end Athens' quest for a Class 4A title repeat here Friday afternoon in a 10-1 win over the Wildcats in the semifinals of the District 4 softball playoffs.

"Central Columbia is a well-coached team, a very good team, with a very good pitcher," said Athens coach Brian Wendela. "I wouldn't be surprised to see them win the whole the whole thing."

Wendela says the loss takes nothing away from his team's success in 2026.


"I always tell the girls that there are a lot of teams in the state of Pennsylvania that are wishing they get to play in the district playoffs.

"Fortunately for us, we've been building something, laying a foundation, and we've been able to get down here," said Wendela. "You know what? 15-5 is not a bad season.


"We had a couple hiccups along the road, games that we probably could have won, should have have won," added Wendela. "But, it was a good season."

The Wildcats attempt at a repeat also took a hit by injuries as three starters from the season opener were in street clothes for the postseason, including all-state pitcher Gretchan Hiley.

"That hurts, no doubt, but we always say 'next next girl up,'" said Wendela.

"We battled some injuries all season long," he noted. "In the last few weeks, we've had nine different girls playing nine different positions.

 
"We tried mixing it up and we gave it a good effort," added Wendela. "We had four sophomores and three freshmen in the starting lineup today. We have a lot of potential moving forward."

The loss of Gretchan Hiley during the Wildcats' final home game was the biggest blow, which also included the loss of four-year starter Savannah Finan, and sophomore Faith Parkhurst.

"The name of this game is good pitching, it takes you a long way, and there's no secret that she's been a big part of our success," said Wendela.

While Athens was without it star pitcher, the Blue Jays' Snavely turned in a stellar performance, allowing one run on five hits, while striking out 13 and walking one in a seven-inning effort.

"Snavely pitched a heck of a game," said Wendela. "She got the call on that inside pitch, and we couldn't adjust to it early. 

"I don't think we're really adjusted to it well throughout the whole game, but when she gets that pitch, it's tough to get to her," added Wendela.

Sophomore Memphis Paul opened the game with a single to right field, and junior McKenna Jarvis worked a walk, but Snavely retired the next three batters to escape the jam unscathed.

"Memphis (Paul) fought off the (a pitch) that was inside for a  little bloop single, and McKenna (Jarvis) gets a walk and I'm thinking we've got something good going here.

"In the big games, you have to get those runs in, and that's what we wanted to do ... we wanted to be the first ones to put the runs on the board, put a little pressure on them, but
it didn't work out that way," added Wendela.

Freshman Maci Campbell and senior Maddie Hiley shared the pitching duties in the first inning, and the Blue Jays scored two runs — one charged to each pitcher — to take a 2-0 lead.

Athens scored its only run in the top of the third when Jarvis ripped a triple down the left-field line, and scored on an RBI single by Maddie Hiley to close the gap to 2-1.

Campbell settled in on the mound, and trailed 3-1 when she exited the ball game with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

"Macy Campbell gave us some great innings," said Wendela. "She looked pretty sharp for a freshman in a district game in her first varsity start.

 
"She did an amazing job, so lots of potential there, and she's only going to keep getting better," added Wendela. "It's nice to know we'll have her in the future."

A bases-load walk, a key two-out error that allowed two runs to score, and a two-run single led to five Central Columbia runs after Campbell exited the game to extend the lead to 8-1.

Abby Welkom tacked on a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning provided the final two runs for the Blue Jays.

Jarvis tripled and scored one run, and Hiley singled and drove in one run to pace Athens' five-hit attack, while Paul, senior Danica May, and sophomore Lainey Vosburgh each added a single.

The Wildcats finish the season at 15-5, and will graduate three seniors in Maddie Hiley, Finan, and May.

"All three of them came in as freshmen my first year as coach, and started," said Wendela. "They worked hard in the regular season and off seasons and they were a big part of what we had going on.

"They've all come such a long way," he noted. "We are always working on stuff on the softball field and off the softball field, but they've all grown. There's no doubt in my mind they're all going to be great at whatever they choose to do next.


"They've been a lot of fun, and just great ball players and people," added Wendela. "They will be missed."

————————

IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior McKenna Jarvis. IN TOP PHOTO: Athens freshman Maci Campbell. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.