It was quite a thriller for area softball teams this year with the NTL Large School title coming down to the very end. 

Athens repeated as league champs behind the play of pitcher Gretchan Hiley, while Wyalusing had a strong season that ended in the district title game, led by senior Addyson Bly. The two of them are the Bradford County Softball Co-Players of the Year.

Hiley tossed 106 1/3-innings with a .790 ERA and 204 strikeouts, while at the plate she hit .232 with 14 runs scored, which included several clutch hits.

For the Rams Bly hit a team high .441 with 31 runs scored, seven doubles, and five triples in the lead-off spot. Defensively, she held down the centerfield spot for one of the better defensive teams in the area.

Joining Bly for major awards is teammate Treanna Nickeson as the Defensive Player of the Year. Nickeson had a fielding percentage of .891 at shortstop for the Rams with 44 put outs.

Towanda had one of their best seasons in over a decade, led by pitcher Leila Cobb. Cobb threw 119 2/3-innings with 210 strikeouts and a 1.287 ERA to be the Pitcher of the Year.

Teammate Brooklyn Evans hit .456 on the year with eight doubles, one triple, three home runs, 23-RBI and 20 runs scored to be the Offensive Player of the Year.

The Towanda coaching staff, led by interim Dean Johnson while head coach Caitlyn Crawford popped in and out on maternity leave, helped the Knights to a 14-5 season as they take home the Coaching Staff of the Year honors.

NEB freshman Madilyn Callear did it all for the Panthers. She hit .410 with 15-RBI, and 19 runs scored, while in the circle she pitched 47 1/3-innings with 30 strikeouts to be the Newcomer of the Year.

FIRST TEAM

Gretchan Hiley, Athens...See above.

Addyson Bly, Wyalusing...See above.

Treanna Nickeson, Wyalusing...See above.

Leila Cobb, Towanda...See above.

Brooklyn Evans, Towanda...See above.

Madilyn Callear, NEB...See above.

Maddie Hiley, Athens - Hit .339 with two home runs and 17-RBI.

Addison Fluck, Wyalusing - Threw 123 2/3-innings with a .23 ERA and 140 strikeouts, while at the plate she hit .355 with 17-RBI, six doubles, and three home runs.

Erinn Knapp, Troy - Threw 114 1/3-innings with 129 strikeouts and a 1.71 ERA while batting .309 with three home runs, two triples, and 11 runs scored.

Lauren Reed, Troy - Hit .355 with seven doubles, one home run, 18-RBI, and 17 runs scored.

Haidyn Watson, Troy - Hit .328 with 21 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs, and 12-RBI.

Brynsen Vargason, Towanda - Hit .327 with four doubles, 15-RBI, and 15 runs scored.

McKenna Jarvis, Athens - Hit .310 with two triples, 15 runs scored, and eight runs scored.

Raya Preston, Canton - Hit .405 with 18-RBI, five doubles, one home run, and 11 runs scored while striking out 57.

SECOND TEAM

Caedence Wells, Towanda - Hit .293 with five doubles, three home runs, and 15-RBI.

Memphis Paul, Athens - Hit .308 with 8-RBI and four doubles. 

Payton Perry, Towanda - Hit .333 with 22 runs scored, and 10-RBI.

Kyla Carpenter, Wyalusing - Hit .263 with 13 runs scored and a .953 fielding percentage.

Josie Ferris, Wyalusing - Hit .258 with 17-RBI and five doubles.

Sydnee Bellows, Troy - Hit .317 with 16 runs scored.

Orissa Gardner, NEB - Hit. 321 with 14-RBI and six doubles.

Jaylee Ward, Canton - Hit .355 with 16-RBI, six doubles, and 16 runs scored.

Lucy Proseus, Canton - Hit .359 with four doubles, and 11 runs scored.

Olivia Thompson, Sayre - Hit .385 with 11 runs scored.

THIRD TEAM

Zoey Thetga, NEB - Hit. 375 with 13 runs scored, 13-RBI, and four doubles.

Karmyn McPherson, NEB - Hit .305 with 19 runs scored, 16-RBI, and two triples.

Lindley Sechrist, Canton - Hit .286 with 12 runs scored.

Danica May, Athens - Hit .268 with 9-RBI.

Maris Cobb, Towanda - Hit .259 with 23 runs scored, and 14-RBI.

Maddyson Muir, Troy - Hit .352 with 16-RBI, and six doubles.

Riley O'Connor, Wyalusing - Hit .283 with 13 runs scored.

Rylee Lantz, Sayre - Hit .306 with 12 runs scored, and 8-RBI.

Emily Strickland, Sayre - Hit .314 with 10 runs scored.