Mardela softball star Ava Twilley says farewell to Eastern Shore with parting gift for the community

SALISBURY, Md. – After four years of playing high school softball at an elite level–whether it’s state championship trophies or individual accolades–Mardela’s Ava Twilley has become pretty familiar with receiving awards. But Thursday at the Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex, she got to be the one giving it out.

As the Gatorade Player of the Year in Maryland, Twilley decided to give her Gatorade Community Grant to Wicomico County’s Little League Challenger Program, a choice that she said was a no-brainer: “I knew that I wanted to base my decision on softball and sports, and just like, what I enjoy. And when I got my award for [Gatorade Player of the Year], it was a very easy decision.”

The program recently wrapped up its sixth season, and has continued reach more families in the community. “The challenger program is a baseball program for kids with special needs,” explained Steve Miller, Wicomico County’s Director of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism. “It gives the opportunity for everyone to play the great sport of baseball.” Miller noted that the Little League Challenger program began with 39 kids and has now expanded to more than 100 families particiapting

The $1000 donation from Twilley will help keep the program free for everyone, Miller said, but the softball star’s involvement goes beyond just digits on a big check. “The other contribution, which she and many others made, is that of being buddies, where challenger athletes have a buddy that help them participate in the games. And to see those relationships form is really a big part of the program.”

It’s something that the four-time Bayside South player of the year will take with her, now hitting the road to play D1 softball for Mississippi State.

“Every time I [came] out, like, everyone has smiles on their faces and it just makes the game, like ten times better to play,” Twilley said. “I just hope more kids fall in love with it the way I did.”