May 21, 2024 – Story and photos by Joshua Ross
Four games in one week is a lot for any team in any sport. It’s even more strenuous, and impressive, when you pitch all four games. This week’s Athlete of the Week presented by College Hype did just that. Junior Bilyana Wilkin pitched for Hingham softball on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday against some tough competition. The team went 2-2 with wins over Marshfield and Whitman-Hanson and close loses agianst Plymouth North and Notre Dame. Bilyana had 30 strikeouts and allowed only three hits vs. a very good NDA team and only one hit vs. Whitman-Hanson in back to back games.
“What we saw from Bily last week is exactly what we’ve seen from her all season,” says head coach Diane Whittaker. “She is such a strong competitor and has consistently put us in position to win every game. She has really established herself as a force on the mound, and she sets the tone for our team on the field.”
Senior captain and catcher Jess Mulrey sees firsthand every game the impact Bilyana has on the team and the games.
“I am very proud of the way Bily has come along all season,” Mulrey explains. “She is truly the rock of our team being able to strike out batters at any given time. Especially in this past week. Her confidence has skyrocketed this season allowing her to mix up her different types of pitches whether it be a change up, fastball or her movement pitches. Last week we faced talented hitting teams such as Plymouth North and Marshfield and her ability to keep hitters off balanced with the different type of pitches she throws really gives us an advantage and shows her strength as a pitcher every single game. I couldn’t be more proud of the way she has executed this year especially coming off such a strong season last year I am so happy and proud of her!”
Congrats Bilyana!