When it comes time to knock in some runs, the Whitehall softball team has an extremely capable batter who they can count on to deliver in those situations.

Senior first baseman Lindsey Gawrys bats third in the Zephyr lineup, and with Meghan Hutter and Abby Vivian hitting in front of her, there are ample opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position.

Gawrys takes advantage of those opportunities and is currently hitting .500 with 14 runs batted in so far this season. That’s the type of production any team would envy from their three-hole hitter. Gawrys said that with those first two hitters crowding the sacks, it’s important for her to do her job at the plate.

“My primary role is to get them in all the time,” said Gawrys.

And deliver she does.

Her booming bat has gotten her noticed throughout the league, earning her an Athlete of the Week nomination for her role as a run producer.

However, if for some reason she isn’t able to get those runs home, she said that the hitters behind her will bring them in, a testament to their potent lineup that’s produced 128 runs so far this season.

Her production has helped the Zephyrs reel off eight consecutive victories en route to an 11-2 record thus far.

Gawrys said that the camaraderie of this year’s team is a contributing factor toward their success.

“We’re all very close this year,” said Gawrys. “We have a lot of confidence in each other.”

She said that fellow teammates have all pulled together, whether it’s Mackenzie Laub who’s also a potent run producer, or Abby Reese who can give them pop as well, it’s a combined effort from everyone.

Gawrys began playing softball when she was 8-years-old. She said that from the beginning, Hutter, Laub and Reese were teammates who shared a love of playing softball. That shared experiences has forged friendships that have continued through her varsity career. She’s been a starter at first since her sophomore season, and plans to enroll at Moravian to continue her playing career.

Right now what lies ahead is most important. That begins with a slate of games this week, beginning with East Stroudsburg North on Wednesday, and culminating with Freedom on Saturday.

She said that they’ve been focused on concentrating on who they’re playing that day, and that’s also helped them navigate this season. It’s been a lesson learned through the experiences this last year with the pandemic. She knows you’re never sure what’s around the corner.

Still, she said that Freedom will prove to be a tough game since they feature pitcher Jen Slanovec. While she’s never faced the senior hurler at the plate, she’s familiar with the Pate from playing Carpenter Cup with her their sophomore seasons. Gawrys said that it will be a good test against a talented pitcher.

She said that both Parkland losses taught them that they must hit, especially in crucial situations. She believes that will be the key as well when they face her on Saturday.

“Hits are going to help us win that game,” said Gawrys. “That’s what hurt us against Parkland, letting a lot of runners on.”

Gawrys has had a few coaches who’ve helped mold and guide her, crediting current coach Blake Morgan and his staff for helping her enhance her game. They both arrived at varsity at the same time, and she feels he’s been crucial in her development. She also cited the work of Joe Gmitter, her tournament coach for the Lehigh Valley Patriot Flames for helping her a lot with her game.

Gawrys was coming off a year in which she was named a second team Eastern Pennsylvania All-Star before the season was canceled last season. She came into 2020 with high hopes, as did her fellow Zephyrs, and was looking forward to another run into the state playoffs. While it was a big disappointment leaving that promise unfulfilled, she said it’s made them hungrier.

“That team showed a lot of potential, and it made us look forward to this year even more,” said Gawrys.

And she’s looking forward to the role she’ll be playing as they continue this journey.