It doesn’t take long to figure out that Todd Schmalzle is thrilled to be the new head coach of Wallenpaupack Area’s varsity baseball team.
A 1991 graduate of the school and product of the program, Schmalzle went on to play four years of collegiate baseball at Moravian University.
After that, he split eight years between Liberty & Freedom high schools in Bethlehem.
“I always wanted to come back here,” Todd told TWI Sports. “Coaching baseball at my alma mater has been one of my goals for as long as I can remember.”
Schmalzle gets that chance this spring. He succeeds Jerry Capone, who skippered the Buckhorns for just one season before resigning for personal reasons.
“I’m very excited about the upcoming season,” he said. “We’re a very young team, but we have some players with just a ton of potential. It should be an interesting year.”
Paupack returns just three seniors to the diamond. John Gardepe, Nick Halas and Matt Fiorletta will lead the Bucks on their quest for a Lackawanna League title.
Under Jerry Capone, the local lads managed just two wins in Division One. Paupack was then eliminated by longtime rival Delaware Valley in the District Two Class AAAA quarterfinals.
Coach Schmalzle will lean heavily on his senior trio this spring.
Gardepe will see time both on the mound and at third base. He’ll hit either #3 or #4 in the Buckhorn batting order.
With 4-year starter Chris Ortiz lost to graduation, Halas assumes the full-time catching role.
Fiorletta is likely destined for one of the corner outfield spots. His quick bat and eagle eye at the plate make him an ideal candidate for the #2 slot.
“We have a bunch of exciting young players, but those three guys will have to step up and be leaders,” Coach Schmalzle said.
Paupack will be back on the diamond Saturday at Nazareth for an exhibition game. First pitch is slated for 11:00 a.m.
