Softball Game Preview: Athens Wildcats vs. Williamson Warriors

By Team Reports Apr 5, 2025, 3:50am

Softball Preview: Athens Wildcats vs. Williamson Warriors

Suggested Video

Athens has gone a perfect 8-0 against Williamson recently and they'll look to pad the win column further on Tuesday. The Wildcats will host the Warriors at 4:30 p.m. Athens is currently enjoying a perfect season and no doubt wants to keep things rolling.

Last Thursday, Athens got the win against Sayre by a conclusive 11-1. Considering the Wildcats have won three matchups by more than five runs this season, Thursday's blowout was nothing new.

Gretchan Hiley

Base on Balls Against

04/03/25 vs Sayre1
03/27/25 @ Wyalusing Valley1
03/24/25 vs Troy2
03/22/25 vs Towanda0

Gretchan Hiley made a big impact while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out 12 batters over five innings while giving up just one earned run off three hits (and only one walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 3-for-4. That stolen base was her first of the season.

In other batting news, Memphis Paul and Anndrea Davis did most of the damage at the plate: Paul scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-3, while Davis scored a run and stole a base while going 3-for-3. Paul also hit two doubles, marking her first of the season. Another player making a difference was Maddie Hiley, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.

Athens was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .464. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .344 or higher in three consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Williamson fell victim to Corning-Painted Post and their airtight pitching crew on Friday. They lost 12-0 to the Hawks. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest loss the Warriors have suffered since May 14, 2024.

Williamson saw three different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Alexis Sprague, who went 1-for-2 with one double.

Athens' victory was their sixth straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 5-0. Those home wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 1.7 runs on average over those games. As for Williamson, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 5-3.

The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Athens has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 12.8 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Williamson struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.

Athens skirted past Williamson 4-2 in their previous matchup back in April of 2024. Will the Wildcats repeat their success, or do the Warriors have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.

Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps