By: Drew Kiesendahl
Paupack baseball is back! Their previous three game losing streak is history, as it has quickly turned into a four-game win streak, thanks to a HUGE week of excellent fielding and hitting.
The run began on Wednesday, when the boys played their longtime rival, the North Pocono Trojans, whose record was 3-1 before entering the game vs Wallenpaupack. Paupack (2-3) knew this would be a tough game, although they were home at the lake, which is always a big advantage. North Pocono was first at bat but couldn’t set the tone with a run. However, that wasn’t the story for Paupack, as Senior Gannon Decker hit a leadoff triple, and scored on great sacrifice fly to the outfield by Junior Mark Nielsen. The game hit a lull, until the fifth inning when Jake Holbert hit an infield single to bring Gannon Decker home again for Paupack’s second run. Great fielding and pitching by seniors Jake Holbert and Gannon Decker, kept the Trojans off the scoreboard for the whole game, securing a morale boosting, and huge inter-conference win moving their season record to 3-3, and conference record to 2-0.
Paupack’s next challenge was against another inter-conference team, the 3-4 Delaware Valley Warriors. Not boasting a great record, the Warriors are still a tough team with a tough schedule. DV was coming off a disappointing 18-5 loss to Greenwood Mennonite (Delaware). Paupack was home again looking to extend this win streak to three. This game was very opposite from the North Pocono victory, as both teams were buzzing offensively. Gannon Decker broke the ice with yet another run, making that his 7th of the year. It then went back and forth all game. Paupack would take the lead, then DV would answer and tie it. By the fifth inning, Paupack finally extended the lead and got some breathing room, thanks to Senior Jordan Santiago and his 3rd run of the game. Sophomore Cam Lynch pitched the final three innings and shut the Warriors down. Final score, 6-4 in a statement victory putting Wallenpaupack in first place in the Lackawanna 1 Conference. Paupack put up 14 hits.
Saturday’s rescheduled exhibition game vs Stroudsburg wasn’t looking promising as glimpses of winter showed again early in Hawley, but thankfully, it cleared up. This was the case all week once again, but all three games were officially played for the first time all season. The Mountaineers came into this game at 3-4 and were on a three-game losing streak. As for Paupack, the vibes were high, along with the expectations. Looking to extend the win streak to four, and to end a long week, the game was on. Sophomore Greg Van Gorder got the start on the mound giving the veterans a break. He pitched a solid six innings giving up four runs but staying very efficient. Van Gorder’s efficiency gave way to Paupack’s explosive offense as runs come all over the place, from Seniors Jordan Santiago and Eli Piefer, Junior Mark Nielsen, and Sophomore Thomas Kierstead. Stroudsburg couldn’t keep up with Paupack’s powerhouse offense, leading to the Buckhorns with another 6-4 win. The win streak lives on, and this team has completely turned themselves around.
The boys are home again on Monday the 15th against Abington Heights, away on Wednesday the 17th against Valley View, and home vs Scranton Prep on Saturday the 20th. All three games are inter-conference, as Paupack will strive to stay on top.
