For a second time in the past three years, Wallenpaupack Area is celebrating a state softball championship.

With veteran skipper Mark Kirsten calling the shots, Paupack’s 12U girls team won four of five games to claim the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth crown. The event took place last weekend in Ashley, PA.

“I’m very happy with how the girls played,” Coach Kirsten told TWI Sports. “I was pretty confident we’d do well. We won the whole thing two years ago and this team has a lot of those same girls. They’re a great group of kids.”

Paupack took its first step on the road to a title on Saturday with a 7-5 victory over Pine Forge. The local lasses followed that up with a 13-1 rout of Kimberton.

The young Lady Bucks were then forced to play host Luzerne County three straight times en route to the crown. Paupack won the first encounter by a score of 5-2, but then suffered an 8-0 shutout in the second.

The championship game went right down to the wire. The Lady Bucks trailed 1-0 in the fifth, but rallied to score two runs and hang on for a 2-1 win.

“It was really exciting,” said Coach Kirsten. “We played great defense in those last two innings. Luzerne County was a very good team and I’m just glad we got out of there with a win.”

Paupack now advances to the Babe Ruth National Tournament, which is being hosted by PA this year. The Lady Bucks open their quest for an All-American title on August 7th against Ohio Valley.

By the Numbers
Kelly Kirsten and Nicki Mann combined to do all the pitching for Paupack at the state tournament.

Kirsten went 3-1 on the weekend and turned in an outstanding performance in the title tilt. Kelly allowed a first inning run to the Breakers, then reeled of five straight scoreless frames.

“Kelly pitched very well at states,” said Coach Kirsten. “She only walked three or four batters in 21 innings, so she’s always around the plate. Kelly throws pretty hard and she has a nice little change-up that keeps batters off balance.”

Mann earned a decision in the win over Kimberton and then appeared in the 8-0 loss to Luzerne County. Nicki also led the charge offensively. Paupack’s young slugger batted .538 for the tournament (7-for-13). She had at least one hit in every game, scored five runs and drove in four.

Kennedy Thomas proved to be Paupack’s defensive MVP. A talented young catcher, Kennedy worked well with her pitchers, kept even the wildest offerings in front of her and single-handedly shut down the opposition running game.

“She was just outstanding,” said Coach Kirsten. “I don’t think more than one or two balls got past her in the entire tournament. Kennedy is a very good defensive catcher.”

Thomas’ shining moment came late in the final elimination game. Paupack was clinging to a 2-1 lead and Luzerne County had a rally brewing.

With one down and one aboard, Kirsten fanned a Breakers’ batter for the second out. The baserunner tried to steal on the pitch and Kennedy delivered a laserbeam throw for a "strike-em-out, throw-em-out" twin killing.

“That was probably one of the biggest plays of the tournament for us,” said Coach Kirsten. “If she steals that base, they have a runner at second and the top of the order coming up. You never know what could have happened...”

Bridget Mann was the offensive hero in this final contest. A versatile young ballplayer who split time between shortstop and centerfield, Mann picked the perfect time to come through with a huge hit.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Kirsten got things going by reaching on an error. She was joined on the basepaths one batter later when Emily Winkler drew a walk. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, setting the stage for Mann’s heroics.

Bridget fell behind 1-2 in the count, then ripped a clean single up the middle. Kirsten and Winkler both sprinted home to give Paupack a 2-1 lead.

Luzerne County pushed the potential tying run all the way to second in the final frame, but couldn’t cash in. Kirsten retired the last two Breakers she faced to set off a wild celebration.

Paupack must now focus its attention on the national tourney. This event includes teams from as far away as the Deep South and Pacific Northwest. It should provide a daunting challenge for the local girls.

“I’m the eternal optimist,” Coach Kirsten said with a laugh. “I go into every tournament expecting to win. The reality of this is that we’re playing against the best teams in the entire country. We’re definitely happy to be here, but we want to win a couple of games, too.”

This year’s Paupack 12U roster includes: Kelly Kirsten, Nicki Mann, Bridget Mann, Caitlin Donahue, Kennedy Thomas, Emily Winkler, Tori Ciszak, Julia Hessling, RaeAnn Ehrhardt, Natalie Christopher, Alana Kieffer, Rebecca Galeano and Alicia Brindle.