Agape Freedom Sports LLC

“CALL OF THE WILD: THE TIGER MENTALITY FUELING VALLEY VIEW’S COUGAR RUN.”

{Agape Freedom Sports Media LLC}

WRITTEN BY: JERIC YURKANIN

The time is now.

Back in early March, during Valley View’s regular-season opener against Pittston Area, things did not look anything like a future championship contender. The defending PIAA Class 4A state champions looked stunned. The energy felt uneasy. And standing inside that unfamiliar moment was Clemson commit Abbi Call, the ace pitcher expected to lead the Lady Cougars back toward another deep postseason run.

But softball can humble even the best players.

In the opening innings against Pittston Area, Call walked four straight Lady Patriots batters, and by the end of the second inning, Valley View found itself trailing 8-3. Soon after, Grace Munley was called into the circle to finish the game. It was an unfamiliar sight. Not just for Call, but for the entire Valley View dugout. Their leader, their captain, their Division I star — the player everyone expected to dominate games and carry pressure moments — suddenly looked human.

And whether people admit it or not, moments like that can affect an entire team psychologically.

Confidence changes.

Rhythm changes.

Expectations suddenly feel heavier.

You start wondering questions nobody expected to ask in March.

Is Valley View still Valley View?

Can they still become that championship-level team again?

Call eventually settled back in and returned to the circle for several more games, but then another setback arrived around April 11 when she suffered another injury and missed over a week. Even after returning, she still did not quite look fully healthy until this past Monday.

And throughout April and parts of May, the noise around the Lackawanna County and District 2 started growing louder.

Yes, Valley View was still winning games.

Yes, the record still looked strong.

But people questioned whether the Lady Cougars were truly dangerous enough to reach another District 2 championship game, let alone compete with powerhouse programs like Tunkhannock, the favorite many believed would win the District 2 Class 4A title.

Even I picked Tunkhannock as the favorite.

But I also said something else.

If Valley View ever started playing Valley View softball again — the aggressive, confident, relentless version that won a state championship last season — they absolutely had the talent to beat anybody. I still believed in them heading into the game this past Monday. I never gave up completely. 

Because at times this season, it did not feel like the Lady Cougars were losing physically.

It felt like they were battling mentally.

The defense was shaky at times. The bats looked quieter than expected. The swagger did not fully feel there or the confidence. And yet somehow, even through all of that, Valley View kept surviving.

That opening comeback against Pittston Area may have quietly revealed something important about this team long before anyone realized it. Valley View trailed 8-3, then 10-7, then 11-10 before Cora Castellani delivered the game-winning hit to complete the comeback. Other wins were battles too — a tight 6-5 victory over West Scranton and a difficult 5-2 win against Wallenpaupack earlier in the year.

Nothing came easy.

But maybe that was part of the process.

Because there is something about a Cougar and a Tiger.

You can hit them.

You can pressure them.

You can even knock them down for a little while.

But keeping them down is a completely different story.

And now, with Abbi Call healthy again, Valley View suddenly looks terrifying.

When Call steps into the circle, it almost feels like two predators are working together in perfect sync — the fearless aggression of a tiger mixed with the calm instinct of a cougar. Cougars are patient hunters. They strike when the moment demands it most. Tigers represent power, dominance, and fearlessness. Over these last two playoff performances, Call has looked like both.

She has attacked hitters with intensity, confidence, and complete control while carrying the calm focus of someone built for pressure moments. The bigger the stage becomes, the more dangerous she seems to get. That competitive fire is exactly why Clemson saw something special in her.

And right now, Valley View is feeding off that energy.

Over the last two playoff games, Call has allowed just one hit across eight innings while striking out 14 batters. The defense looks sharper. The dugout energy looks louder. And the bats? They are starting to sound exactly like they did during last year’s championship run.

That should send a warning across District 2 Class 4A.

Tunkhannock.

Dallas.

Anyone standing in Valley View’s path.

Watch out.

Because the Lady Cougars are starting to look like themselves again.

They are healthy.

They are aggressive.

They are hungry.

They are focused.

And most importantly, they are starting to come together again like a championship pack hunting toward something bigger.

Abbi Call is bringing the missiles from the circle.

The defense is bringing the protection.

The bats are bringing the noise.

And Valley View softball is once again starting to look like a team ready to defend its throne. 

“Today, Abbi was completely locked in and hit all of her spots. Her confidence today is truly what allowed us to win the game. If she continues to pitch like that in the next few games, I have complete confidence that we can make it all the way back to the state championship once again.” Said Valley View Catcher, Maggie Hallet

Maggie added: “What I liked most about how we performed as a team was that everybody was cheering throughout the whole game. The communication on the field and in the dugout allowed our defense to be on point. Even when something didn’t go our way, we picked each other up and got the win as a team.”

Here how the game worked itself out Wednesday: 

Top 1st Inning — Wallenpaupack Batting

Haynes strikes out swinging for the first out. Decker strikes out swinging for the second out. Anderson grounds out to first baseman Evans to end the inning.

Bottom 1st Inning — Valley View Batting

Ella Swingle singles on a pop fly to center field. Cora Castellani walks, moving Swingle to second.

Abbi Call singles on a pop fly to center fielder Haynes, loading the bases.

Maggie Hallett strikes out swinging, with the runners holding.

Zoie Krupovich singles on a hard ground ball to center field and advances to second on the throw. Swingle and Castellani score, while Call advances to third.

Valley View 2, Wallenpaupack 0

Ashlon Palickar reaches on an error by second baseman Milutinovic, allowing Call to score and moving Krupovich to third.

Valley View 3, Wallenpaupack 0

Krupovich then steals home to extend the lead.

Valley View 4, Wallenpaupack 0

Coral Kelly strikes out looking, with Palickar remaining at second. Mady Minelli pops out to pitcher Babyak to end the inning.

Top 2nd Inning — Wallenpaupack Batting

Daidone strikes out swinging for the first out. Milutinovic grounds out to first baseman Evans for the second out. Mancino grounds out to third baseman Kelly to end the inning.

Bottom 2nd Inning — Valley View Batting

Navaeh Evans pops out to catcher Mancino for the first out. Swingle flies out to center fielder Haynes for the second out. Castellani lines out to center fielder Haynes to end the inning.

Top 3rd Inning — Wallenpaupack Batting

Evans pops out to catcher Mancino for the first out. Swingle flies out to center fielder Haynes for the second out. Castellani lines out to center fielder Haynes to end the inning.

Bottom 3rd Inning — Valley View Batting

Call flies out to left fielder G. Lake for the first out.

Hallett doubles on a fly ball to center fielder Haynes. Krupovich follows with a line-drive home run to center field, scoring Lemoncelli.

Valley View 6, Wallenpaupack 0

Palickar singles on a line drive to left fielder Lake. Kelly singles on a pop fly to shortstop Babyak, and Palickar advances to third on an error by Babyak.

Minelli doubles on a line drive to left fielder Lake, scoring Palickar and moving Kelly to third.

Valley View 7, Wallenpaupack 0

Evans lines out to right fielder Decker for the second out, with Kelly at third and Minelli at second.

Swingle walks to load the bases.

Castellani hits a fly ball and reaches on an error by center fielder Haynes. Kelly, Minelli, and Swingle all score.

Valley View 10, Wallenpaupack 0

Call singles on a hard ground ball to left fielder Lake, scoring Castellani.

Valley View 11, Wallenpaupack 0

Hallett walks. Krupovich singles on a hard ground ball to center fielder Haynes, but Krisiak is thrown out advancing home to end the inning.

Top 4th Inning — Wallenpaupack Batting

Decker strikes out swinging for the first out.

Story strikes out swinging for the second out.

Locicero grounds out to second baseman Ella Swingle to end the inning.

Bottom 4th Inning — Valley View Batting

Ashlon Palickar grounds out to third baseman Story for the first out.

Coral Kelly hits a ground ball and reaches on an error by shortstop Babyak. Pinch runner Miller enters for Kelly.

Mady Minelli grounds out to pitcher Laing, advancing Miller to second for the second out.

Navaeh Evans lines out to center fielder Haynes to end the inning.

Top 5th Inning — Wallenpaupack Batting

Milutinovic singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ella Swingle.

Mancino grounds out to second baseman Swingle, advancing Milutinovic to third for the first out.

Lake pops out to second baseman Swingle for the second out, with Milutinovic remaining at third.

Babyak strikes out swinging to end the game.

Ball game. Game Over.

Valley View continued to look like a team peaking at the perfect time Wednesday afternoon, dominating Wallenpaupack Area 11-0 in five innings behind another complete team performance on both sides of the field. The Lady Cougars exploded for four runs in the opening inning before breaking the game open with a seven-run third inning, finishing with 10 hits and flawless defense in the shutout victory. Zoe Krupovich powered the offense with a monster day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Abbi Call helped lead the offensive attack as well, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored, while Emma Swingle went 1-for-2 with two runs and a walk.

Ava Palickar added a hit, RBI, and two stolen bases, Mady Minelli doubled and drove in a run, Maggie Hallett doubled and scored once, and Caleigh Kelly chipped in a hit and run scored. Valley View’s aggressive baserunning and pressure offense continued all game as the Cougars totaled three stolen bases and consistently forced Wallenpaupack into difficult defensive situations, contributing to four Lady Buckhorn errors.

In the circle, Abbi Call continued her dominant postseason stretch, tossing a one-hit shutout over five innings while striking out seven and walking just one

“My confidence is definitely up there right now, while still allowing myself to stay humble. I enjoy competition, and I have a strong passion for the things I do. My spin pitches have been really good recently, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.” Said Valley Views’s Abbi Call.

Abbi added: “Our connection has gotten deeper through fun practices and just enjoying the game together. We struggled at the start, but we are having a major comeback and are ready for the rest of the playoffs.”

Her teammate credits Abbi: 

“It honestly means a lot to see Abbi pitching with that kind of confidence again. When she’s locked in like that, it changes the whole vibe of the game for us. Everyone in the dugout feels it, and it pushes us to stay focused and match her energy behind her.“ Said Senior first baseman, Nevaeh Evans 

She threw 75 pitches with 51 strikes and faced only 17 batters in another commanding outing. Wallenpaupack’s lone hit came from Milutinovic, who finished 1-for-2, while the Lady Buckhorns were limited to just one baserunner beyond that hit and struck out seven times as a team. 

“What impresses me about Abbi is the way she can come back and fight through whatever is against her. Recently, in any game and at any time, she has been dialed in and knows what she has to do. She focuses on the batter, gets important outs for our team to help us win, and has big at-bats to help us score runs. She is definitely an important player on this team, and it would definitely be different without her.” Said Valley View All-Conference Junior Short Stop, Cora Castellani.

Cora continues: “I really think our team chemistry is at its highest right now. We are all locked in and ready to work hard and win these upcoming big games. I think the energy and communication are increasing as each game goes on. We are all super excited for the district championship.”

Anna Babyak started in the circle for Wallenpaupack, allowing eight hits and nine runs (eight earned) over 2.1 innings, while L. Laing finished the final 1.2 innings. What stands out most right now about Valley View is how complete the Cougars have looked over the last two games, including Monday’s impressive win over Hanover Area. The energy, communication, dugout intensity, and overall confidence seem fully back, and the Cougars are starting to resemble the dangerous, confident team many expected entering the postseason. Right now, Valley View does not just look talented — they look connected, focused, and emotionally locked in at exactly the right time.

And maybe that is the scariest part for the rest of District 2 Class 4A.

 “I think over these last two playoff games, we’ve started clicking again as a team. Our chemistry is way better, and we’re playing with a lot more confidence than we were earlier in the season. Everyone is feeding off each other in a good way, and it feels like we’re back to playing the way we know we can.” Said Nevaeh Evans 

She continued: “Defense was really important for us today, especially with Abbi pitching the way she did. We just tried to stay locked in and make the routine plays to support her. I feel like our defense is starting to come together at the right time, and we’re a lot more confident and comfortable out there right now.”

This Valley View team has already been through adversity. They have already felt doubt. They have already heard the outside noise questioning whether they were still the same championship program that stormed through Pennsylvania last season. Early-season injuries, pressure, expectations, close games, and moments of uncertainty tested them mentally long before the playoffs ever arrived. But sometimes championship teams are not built when everything is easy. Sometimes they are built in the moments where confidence cracks, where pressure rises, and where teams have to decide whether they still believe in who they are. Somewhere between those difficult spring nights, the comeback wins, the injuries, and the criticism, the Lady Cougars rediscovered something powerful again — their identity. And now, with Abbi Call healthy, the bats exploding, and the dugout energy beginning to roar again, Valley View suddenly feels like a team nobody wants to face.

Because once a Cougar remembers how to hunt again, and once a Tiger smells opportunity, danger usually follows close behind.

With the pressure growing inning by inning and another championship path beginning to form ahead of them, Valley View no longer looks like a team searching for answers. They look like a team preparing for war. The confidence is back. The chemistry is back. The swagger is back. The defending state champions are no longer quietly surviving games — they are attacking them. Every strikeout from Call feels louder. Every swing feels more aggressive. Every celebration in the dugout feels more connected. And now, as the road toward another District 2 title and possible state run begins heating up again, the message from Valley View is becoming impossible to ignore: the Lady Cougars are awake, they are dangerous again, and they are coming together at exactly the right time.

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