Julia Farkaly is the perfect example of what an old-school West Scranton player looks like.

It has nothing to do with stats, but rather, the intangibles that normally don’t show up in the box score.

She’s a throwback to the Invaders of old: A blue-collar, tough-nosed, bring-your-lunchbox-to-work athlete who doesn’t worry about self, but rather puts the team first in every aspect of the game.

Is she mad she draws a walk? Absolutely not because it puts a runner on base.

Is she concerned her spot in the field? Nope, because she’ll play wherever the team needs her. In this case, second base.

For her, it’s about the Lady Invaders and bringing home a District 2-4 Class 6A subregional championship.

“That would be the best senior gift ever,” said Farkaly, an all-league selection in center field as a junior. “I think we have the talent, skill and mindset to win a district championship.”

For Farkaly, no matter what sport she plays at West Scranton, it is about helping the team win.

West Scranton needed a second baseman midway through the season when McKenna Brudnicki went out with an injury. Coach John Connor asked the team who was going to step up and fill the void at second.

The all-league center fielder raised her hand. Farkaly, who never played second base in her entire softball career, was up for the challenge.

“I was a shortstop from probably around Pony League to 14U, and then, I was converted to an outfielder in high school,” she said. “I am familiar with the infield, but never second base. He put me there for practice, and right before the game, he was like, you are going to play second base and Lanie (Mackie) is going to move to center. I only had one practice playing there before the game. I’ve been practicing there ever since, and it’s become easier.”

The other big change? She’s back in the batting order, finding a home in the No. 9 spot.

As a junior, she moved around the lineup, spending a majority of her time in the leadoff spot, where she admits she never felt comfortable.

With a few games left in the 2025 regular season, Farkaly was sent to the flex spot, meaning she would continue to use her athleticism to patrol center field, but wouldn’t be in the batting lineup.

“It was tough, but in the moment, it was about the team and what was best for the team,” she said. “I knew that I had to focus on being a great outfielder, and trying to make the team as best as I could. I feel more confident where I am in the lineup this year. I didn’t have that confidence when I was a leadoff hitter. I feel like I am a lot more relaxed this year in the batter’s box.”

She’s produced from that spot in the order.

Look at the Scranton Prep contest. While she was 0 for 1, Farkaly drew three walks, crossing home all three times. A few games later, she showed her power as her two-run double helped the Lady Invaders to a 12-2 win over Delaware Valley.

And that’s not counting her midseason hitting streak, which included hits against North Pocono’s Amelia Bell and Abington Heights’ Adrianna Condrad, two of the top pitchers in Lackawanna League Division I.

She credits the coaches, and first-year assistant coach Julianna Beidler, with helping to build back that confidence.

“The coaching staff is amazing,” Farkaly said. “Coach Beidler, she’s been a huge part of my development with the hitting. She really brings down my anxiety. She is always there for me. I’ve learned to take a deep breath. Last year, I was shaky and had a negative mindset. I kept thinking to myself, ‘What if I don’t hit this ball.’ Now, I keep telling myself what’s going to happen. I already think about getting that hit.”

For Farkaly, her athletic career will come to an end once the last out is recorded as she’ll travel to North Carolina State in the fall where she will major in business management/entrepreneurship.

She won’t forget her times at West, and how special it’s been to be a varsity player for the last four years.

“It’s special playing here at West,” she said. “The parents and community are constantly there for us. It’s nice to see all the familiar faces cheering for you. … I am pretty upset to know that I won’t be playing softball in college, and this is the end of my career. I am happy that I’ve come as far as I have. I’ve been playing since I am 4 with basically the same people that I am playing with now. It’s going to be sad, but in the end, I’m happy that we’ve been having a great season.”

Call fans 20

Abbi Call had herself quite the day against Scranton Prep in Lackawanna League play Tuesday.

The Clemson commit picked up her 300th career strikeout as the Cougars earn another Division I victory.

More impressive was her stat line as Call punched out 20 batters. The last person in District 2 to strike out 20 in a game was Pittston Area’s Gianna Adams, who threw a one-hitter with 20 strikeouts in a victory over Tunkhannock two years ago.

Royals surging

Remember a few weeks ago when it was said to keep an eye on Holy Redeemer?

Well, the Royals are starting to find their groove now. Jerry Paulukonis’ group won eight of its last 10, and is up to No. 3 spot in the Class 2A power rating standings.

The two loses? One-loss Lake-Lehman and a good Notre Dame-Green Pond team from District 11.

Redeemer will close the season with games against Loyalsock, Williamsport and Crestwood — three challenges. Don’t sleep on the Royals come the end of this month. They are going to be a dangerous, battle-tested team no one wants to see in the Class 2A bracket.

Divisions clinched

Both divisions in the Wyoming Valley Conference, and two of the three in the Lackawanna League are close to being clinched.

On Tuesday, Tunkhannock and Lake-Lehman wrapped up divisions with victories. The Tigers shut out Dallas to win Division 1 for the second-straight year. Lake-Lehman won Division 2 for the fourth-consecutive season after beating Wyoming Area, 6-2.

Abington Heights has a two-game lead in the Lackawanna League Division I with three games to play, while Montrose has a two-game edge in Division III, but plenty of divisional games remaining.

Top four

1. Abington Heights (15-1): Comets went on the road last week, and shut out two New York schools by a combined 25-0 margin. Abington Heights is riding a double-digit winning streak.

2. Tunkhannock (17-1): It was quite a weekend for the Tigers, picking up wins over Northampton and Williamsport. Tunkhannock’s lone loss this season was to a school from Ohio.

3. Lake-Lehman (15-1): Black Knights haven’t lost since the season opener, and end the year with four-straight road games.

4. Holy Cross (14-2): With a big win Thursday night, Holy Cross is in control of the Lackawanna League Division II. Crusaders have now won seven straight.

Two to watch

Lake-Lehman at Athens, Saturday: Weather permitting, this one is certainly intriguing as two of the best pitchers in the state lock horns. Athens junior pitcher Gretchan Hiley has an ERA of 0.24 and 112 strikeouts. This should be a good test for the Black Knights heading into the postseason.

North Pocono at Abington Heights, Friday: By the time this game takes place, Abington Heights may have the division wrapped up. But this could be a springboard toward the postseason where the Comets and Trojans appear to be on a crash course in the Class 5A final.