Gabby Hieber leads Wallenpaupack Area softball team in divisional title quest

HAWLEY — One of the true feel-good stories of the local spring sports season has been the emergence of Wallenpaupack Area’s softball team as a bona fide Lackawanna League title contender.

Under the direction of veteran head coach Phil Babyak, Paupack is battling perennial powerhouses Valley View and Abington Heights for Division I supremacy.

Heading into a crucial week of diamond action, the Bucks sport a 7-1 league record and are all alone in second place. They’re also currently third in the District 2 Class 5A rankings.

“I'm very pleased with how the girls are playing,” Babyak said. “We are fortunate to have a lot of talented, experienced players, and a dedicated staff that's been working hard to help these kids be successful.

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“I've been around a lot of teams, but there are few that compare to the effort, energy and enthusiasm these girls bring to the big games. The next two weeks are going to be very exciting.”

Weather permitting, Paupack is scheduled to play three crucial games in the next seven days. The Bucks travel to Delaware Valley on Monday, then visit North Pocono on Wednesday. Next Monday, a much-anticipated showdown with Abington looms.

First pitch for each of these contests is slated for 4:30 p.m.

In the spotlight

Gabby Hieber is the ace of Paupack’s vaunted pitching staff. She’s a hard-throwing righty who’s been playing competitive softball since the age of five.

To this point in the 2024 season, Hieber boasts a 6-1 record with a 1.94 ERA and a total of 20 strikeouts. Last Wednesday, she authored a complete game shutout of West Scranton en route to the Tri-County Independent’s Athlete of the Week honors.

“When I pitch, I really trust my training and have confidence that I can get the job done,” Hieber said. “I trust my coaches and my teammates behind me to make the plays. And I try not to get rattled when something happens because as the pitcher, I control the pace of the game.”

Hieber features a lively fastball and an array of nasty breaking pitches. She mixes them well, keeping opposing batters guessing and off-balance. During the win over West, she allowed just one hit while fanning four.

“I like to move the ball up and down,” she said. “So, I am really working on my rise and drop to locate them where I want. I would say my best pitch is my change-up, and I love when I get a swing and miss off it.”

Hieber is also a big part of Paupack’s high octane offensive attack. She’s currently batting a robust .556 with 12 runs scored and 15 RBIs. The highlight of her season so far at the plate is a game-winning single up the middle against Abington.

But it’s Hieber’s leadership when she’s in the circle that Babyak believes sets her apart.

“Gabby is a total competitor,” he said. “She has good command with four pitches that she can comfortably throw in any count. Gabby plays with a lot of confidence which is definitely contagious.”

Firing on all cylinders

While Hieber is the reigning Athlete of the Week, Paupack’s softball roster is filled with talented players.

Hunter Myers is a senior who’s been the starting varsity catcher for four years. She’s a standout defender who has an excellent rapport with the pitchers and routinely stifles the opposition running game.

Myers is also one of the league’s most feared power hitters. She enters the week batting .441 with 10 extra base hits and a team-best 19 RBIs.

“Hunter is the leader of our team,” Babyak said. “She works very hard in the offseason, and I’m so happy that it’s paying off for her. Hunter not only hits for average but for power, and she’s been on fire lately.”

Kailyn Kielbasa and Clara Babyak are also making key contributions at the plate and in the field.

Kielbasa is a silky smooth defender who shines at both shortstop and third base. The hard-hitting junior is batting an even .400 with 13 runs scored and 15 RBIs.

“Kailyn has been doing a lot of really nice things,” Babyak said. “She’s only struck out twice in 46 at-bats. Kailyn definitely puts pressure on the defense with her hitting.

Babyak is a versatile player who pitches and also flashes Gold Glove leather at shortstop. The fireballing junior is undefeated in the circle with a 5-0 record. Her ERA is a minuscule 0.83 and she leads the team with 27 strikeouts.

Offensively, Babyak is hitting .395 with 12 RBIs and 14 runs scored.

“Clara has been very versatile and is able to do a lot of good things for us,” Babyak said. “She's been playing a solid shortstop, as well as contributing key innings in the circle. As a batter, Clara can hit for power, or drop down a quick bunt for a hit.”

Challenges lie ahead

Paupack’s fate when it comes to a possible division title will come down to two key games remaining on the schedule.

The Bucks face Abington Heights on May 6 and Valley View on May 8. They defeated the Comets 5-3 in their first meeting but fell to the Cougars 2-1.

“It’s been quite a while since we beat Abington,” Babyak said. “Getting a win against them earlier in the season taught us that we can compete with anybody on any given day.”

At the district level, Paupack will almost certainly cross paths with Pittston Area during the post season. The Patriots are unbeaten, top-ranked in Class 5A, and all alone atop the Wyoming Valley Conference Division I standings.

“I am very excited for the next couple weeks,” Babyak said. “In order to compete for a championship, we will have to win many big games. But right now, we’re just taking it one game at a time.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Gabby Hieber leads Wallenpaupack Area softball team in divisional title quest