By: Ryan Tattersall
Safe to say, the Poconos took a beating from Mother nature this week. Rain, Snow, EARTHQUAKES! But even with her disturbance, it had no effect on the Lady Buckhorns. After a statement win against Honesdale 17-1 on Monday April 2, two days after the unexpected passing of Wallenpaupack Athletic Director Ann Marie Simons, Wallenpaupack traveled to West Scranton on Saturday to take on the Lady Invaders. It is a new look for West Scranton, as this is their first season without stud graduated pitcher Mia Butka, and graduated catcher Bella Summa. Last season consisted of battles between these two teams. Both split the series, both games ended in walk-offs for Paupack and West Scranton. But this year, the Lady Buckhorns were still reeling from losing 8-7 in 11 innings at West Scranton the year prior.
To start the game, the Lady Invaders were already in trouble. Their assistant coach was ejected to start the game. It’s unclear why he was ejected, but West Scranton was off to a bad start. Paupack would amplify that pain. Gabby Hieber got hit by pitch, and Hunter Myers walked after being down 0-2. Lily Mancino (pinch running for Hieber) advanced to third and Kailyn Kielbasa advanced to first off a ground ball that was then thrown to second. Mancino and Kielbasa would be driven home on a single into left by Emily Sterner. No further damage was done as Amelia Noll struck out Madison Haynes, ending a solid start for Paupack.
The bottom of the first also went quickly with no runs for West Scranton.
The second inning came, and Josie Leighton led with a big double into left in an eight- pitch at bat. With two outs, Clara Babyak drove in Leighton with a single to center to bump the score to three to zip. The bottom of the second was a little better for the Lady Invaders. West Scranton’s Mackie started the inning with a pop single into center. Williams then walked to first on a 4-0 at bat, followed by Bianca Markovitch loading the bases. After fouling the ball three times, Lauren Tumavitch popped out to second, but drove in Mackie for the Lady Invader’s first run of the game. But that was all they could muster.
Just like in the second Hunter Myers started the third inning off with a base hit into left. Lucy Babyak (pinch running for Hunter Myers) advanced to second base on a ground ball. She then stole third base. Madison Haynes then drove in Lucy Babyak on another single to left making the score four to one Lady Buckhorns. Haynes then stole third off a wild pitch. Nothing else happened. In the bottom of the third Wallenpaupack’s defense wouldn’t be deterred, three outs, no runs for the Lady Invaders.
In the fourth with two outs Clara Babyak boomed a big triple and was then driven home off a bloop infield single from Gabby Hieber, five to one. The bottom of the fourth came. Pop out, struck out, Repeat.
In the fifth inning Paupack continued to bash West Scranton’s defenses. After two outs, Madison Haynes started the hitting cycle with a base hit. Josie Leighton followed with a double advancing Haynes to third, and then were both driven home off a big triple from Allie Sterner to make it seven to one. Even though they were down big, the Lady Invaders still wanted to fight back. Julia Farkaly reached first on an error, while Mia Keenan got her second hit of the day, and then she stole second. During Mia Tallo’s at bat, Farkaly stole home. Tallo added on a triple, which was then followed with Noll hitting a sacrifice fly to score Keenan. The Lady Invaders had something. Turns out that something cooking was two more runs from the Lady Buckhorns.
After the sixth inning was over, the white flag was waved. Wallenpaupack prevails with a dominant 9-3 win over West Scranton. Wallenpaupack’s hitting was impressive, pushing West Scranton Pitcher Amelia Noll to 138 pitches. As for their defense, Gabby Hieber with another win on the mound with four strikeouts, three runs allowed, and 110 pitches. She also hit well for most of the batting lineup. Clara Babyak, Hunter Myers, Josie Leighton, the Sterner sisters, and Madison Haynes all got their bats going in this game. That said, Wallenpaupack is now 4-1. Their next opponent is against Scranton home on Tuesday April 9th.
