Northern Tier Sports ReportIt was about as an exciting NTL softball season as fans around here can hope for, with plenty of tight games, resounding performances, and exciting finishes.
It was a royal rumble for much of the year but coming out on top was Athens thanks largely to the efforts of Gretchen Hiley. Hiley hit .400 with nine doubles, 13-RBI, and 28 runs scored but it was in the circle she did most of her damage - striking out 266 batters with a 1.11 ERA in 133-innings - good enough to make her the Bradford County All-stars Softball Player of the Year.
In the batter’s box two sluggers stood out - Troy’s Kali Ayres and Wyalusing’s Addisyn Bly. Ayres hit .518 with five home runs, 30-RBI, and 21 runs scored, while Bly hit .484 leading off for the Rams with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, and over 20 runs scored. The two are the Co-Offensive Players of the Year.
In the circle Towanda’s Tae-Lynn Brabant was a steady presence, throwing 71 2/3-innings with a 2.1 ERA and 80-strikeouts against 17 walks, earning her the Pitcher of the Year honors.
Troy’s excellence behind the plate continued this year as Lauren Ridall moved back there, posting a .979 fielding percentage with 136 put outs, earning her the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
There was a bumper crop of new talent this year, led by Athens’ Memphis Paul and Troy’s Erinn Knapp. Paul hit .290 with a home run, 14-RBI, and 16 runs scored as a catcher for the Wildcats. Knapp pitched 65 1/3-innings with 88 strikeouts and an ERA just under one to lead the Trojans. The two are the Co-Newcomers of the Year.
NEB’s coach MaKaylah Leljedal led the Panthers to their first district title in seven years, and to their first ever state finals appearance. NEB won two nail-biters to get to the state finals as they made program history - earning the Panthers the Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
First Team
Gretchen Hiley, Athens - See above.
Addyson Bly, Wyalusing - See above.
Kali Ayres, Troy - See above.
Tae-Lynn Brabant, Towanda - See above.
Lauren Ridall, Troy - See above.
Erinn Knapp, Troy - See above.
Brynsen Vargason, Towanda - She hit .389 with six doubles, 17 runs scored, and 10-RBI.
Aleah Johnson, Towanda - She hit .387 with five doubles, two home runs, and 13-RBI. In the circle she struck out 69 in 47 1/3-innings of action.
Savannah Finan, Athens - She hit .382 with 19-RBI and 12 runs scored.
McKenna Jarvis, Athens - She hit .342 with 21 runs scored, and 18-RBI.
Maddie Hiley, Athens - She hit hit .320 with six doubles, 20-RBI, and 19 runs scored.
Jaylee Ward, Canton - She hit .564 with seven doubles, 12-RBI, and 23 runs scored while also holding down shortstop for the Warriors.
Rachel Wilson, Wyalusing - She hit .355 with 19 runs scored, and with some power.
Treanna Nickeson, Wyalusing - She hit .316 with 15 runs scored, while manning the short-stop spot.
Kelsea Moore, NEB - She hit .387 with seven doubles, two home runs, 17 runs scored, and 19-RBI. Moore also struck out 97 on the season in 71 2/3-innings.
Hannah Berger, NEB - She hit .450 with four doubles, 15-RBI, and 24 runs scored.
Makenna Callear, NEB - She hit .323 with five doubles, 15 runs scored, and 11-RBI. In the circle she posted a 2.74 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 61 1/3-innings.
Second Team
Memphis Paul, Athens - See above.
Ella Coyle, Athens - Coyle hit .288 with 14 runs scored.
Brooklyn Evans, Towanda - She hit .349 with nine doubles, 17-RBI, and 13 runs scored.
Payton Perry, Towanda - She hit .348 with 19 runs scored, while also being a strong defensive presence at shortstop.
Leila Cobb, Towanda - She hit .317 with two home runs, 12-RBI, and 11 runs scored.
Tara Gilbert, Canton - She hit .309 with with a home run, and 11-RBI.
Addison Fluck, Wyalusing - She struck out 113 as a starter for the Rams.
Josie Ferris, Wyalusing - She hit .293 and was versatile defensively.
Orissa Gardner, NEB - She hit .424 with 19-rBI, five doubles, and 13 runs scored.
Kiarra DeLancey, NEB - She hit .329 with 23 runs scored, and three triples.
Toni Herb, NEB - She hit .323 with 18 runs scored, 12-RBI, and five doubles, while playing strong defense up the middle.
Amber James, Troy - She hit .380 with 10-RBI and nine runs scored.
Madi Palmer, Troy - She hit. 322 with 14-RBI and 19 runs scored.
Marlee Stanton, Troy - She hit .283 with 16-RBI and 15 runs scored, while playing strong defense in centerfield.
Raegan Parrish, Sayre - She hit. 446 with eight doubles, two triples, 14-RBI, and 18 runs scored.
Olivia Thompson, Sayre - She hit .455 with six doubles, and 18 runs scored.
SOFTBALL BRADFORD COUNTY ALL-STARS
POY: Gretchen Hiley, Athens
Pitcher: Tae-Lynn Brabant, Towanda
OPOY: Kali Ayres, Troy & Addyson Bly, Wyalusing
DPOY: Lauren Ridall, Troy
Rookie: Memphis Paul, Athens & Erinn Knapp, Troy
Coach: MaKaylah Leljedal, NEB
First Team
Brynsen Vargason, Towanda
Aleah Johnson, Towanda
Tae-Lynn Brabant, Towanda
Gretchen Hiley, Athens
Savannah Finan, Athens
McKenna Jarvis, Athens
Maddie Hiley, Athens
Jaylee Ward, Canton
Addy Bly, Wyalusing
Rachel Wilson, Wyalusing
Treanna Nickeson, Wyalusing
Kelsea Moore, NEB
Makenna Callear, NEB
Hannah Berger, NEB
Lauren Ridall, Troy
Kali Ayres, Troy
Erinn Knapp, Troy
Second Team
Brooklyn Evans, Towanda
Payton Perry, Towanda
Leila Cobb, Towanda
Memphis Paul, Athens
Ella Coyle, Athens
Tara Gilbert, Canton
Raegan Parrish, Sayre
Addison Fluck, Wyalusing
Josie Ferris, Wyalusing
Orissa Gardner, NEB
Kiarra DeLancey, NEB
Toni Herb, NEB
Amber James, Troy
Madi Palmer, Troy
Marlee Stanton, Troy
All-Newcomer
Memphis Paul, Athens
Erinn Knapp, Troy
Haidyn Watson, Troy
Ava Lambert, NEB
Zaelea Lane, NEB
Kirra Millard, Wyalusing
Charleigh Anderson, Canton
McKenna Parrish, Sayre
