Wallenpaupack Area baseball team embarks on a new era under rookie skipper Eric Lenz

HAWLEY — The Wallenpaupack Area baseball team has enjoyed a solid run of success the past few years under the direction of veteran head coach Todd Schmalzle.

Over the course of the past five seasons, the Buckhorns have posted an overall record of 70-37 and qualified for the district playoffs each year.

This spring, however, the program embarks on a brand new era with longtime assistant Eric Lenz taking the reins as varsity skipper. A 1998 graduate of Hazleton Area, Lenz played his college ball at East Stroudsburg. This marks his 20th year as a teacher and coach at Paupack.

Lenz is excited about his rookie season as the varsity squad returns a solid nucleus of battle-tested players. The Buckhorns went 11-9 overall last year and advanced all the way to the District 2 Class 5A semifinals.

“We have four seniors and eight juniors who’ve all gotten plenty of experience the past three years,” Lenz said. “I’m definitely excited to see what they can do.”

Weather permitting, Paupack will be on the field twice this week for a pair of exhibition games. The Bucks travel to Wyoming Valley West on Tuesday and host Honesdale on Saturday.

Contests start at 4:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.

Veteran leadership

The 2025 Lackawanna League baseball season officially opened with Bill Howerton Media Day at PNC Field on March 2.

Lenz was accompanied to the annual event by Peyton Toth, Frank Church, Michael Paltzer and Mark Nilsen. All are seniors, and each brings a great deal of big-game experience to the table.

These four young men will provide leadership for the Wallenpaupack Area baseball team this season. Pictured here at Media Day on March 2, 2025 are (from left): Peyton Toth, Frank Church, Michael Paltzer, Mark Nilsen.

Toth is a solid defender at first base who can also make his presence felt at the plate. He scored three runs and collected four RBIs last spring, showing flashes of power via a double and homer.

“We’re hoping that Peyton will be our clean-up guy this season,” Lenz said. “I’m looking for him to drive in a bunch of runs and hit a few out of the park.”

Church is a talented multi-sport standout fresh off an outstanding season on the basketball court. He’s projected to catch and play the outfield this spring.

“Frank is a pull-side gap guy,” Lenz said. “He’ll probably bat sixth or seventh in the order. If Frank keeps the ball fair more often, he’s capable of doing a lot of damage.”

Paltzer is a corner outfielder who brings good speed and situational awareness to the diamond. He’ll likely start in left and bat ninth in an effort to turn the order over and ignite big innings.

Longtime assistant Eric Lenz enters his rookie season as head coach of the Wallenpaupack Area varsity baseball team. Lenz is pictured here at Media Day on March 2, 2025.

“Michael is our best bunter,” Lenz said. “He has the ability to move runners over and put pressure on the defense. We don’t have a ton of team speed this year, so those kinds of things will be key for us.”

Nilsen was among the team leaders in hits, stolen bases and runs scored last year. He’s another multi-sport standout who excelled at fullback and safety for the football team. Nilsen will likely see innings behind the plate and in the middle infield as a senior.

“Mark is the kind of player who just gets it done,” Lenz said. “My goal for Mark is to bat lead-off and thrive in that role. He has all the tools to be a really good lead-off guy.”

On the agenda

Paupack will once again be competing in Division I of the Lackawanna League this spring.

The Buckhorns will slug it out with the likes of Abington Heights, Scranton Prep, North Pocono, Delaware Valley, Scranton High, Valley View and West Scranton.

Last year, Paupack battled its way to an 8-6 league mark, sharing runner-up honors in the division with West Scranton and Scranton Prep.

The Buckhorns are scheduled open up the regular season on Wednesday, April 2, with a home game against West Scranton. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m. on the shores of The Big Lake.

“This is a great group of kids,” Lenz said. “And I think we can absolutely compete for a division title. The league is pretty wide open this year, and we can play with anybody.”

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Wallenpaupack Area baseball team set to compete under Eric Lenz

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Wallenpaupack Area baseball team embarks on a new era under rookie skipper Eric Lenz

Veteran leadership

On the agenda

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