Monday was special for the Palmerton Area High School girls' softball team, as the Lady Bombers held their home opener, playing host to Salisbury High School.

The moment took on a special significance when teammate Emily Brong threw out the first pitch before the start of the game.From her electric wheelchair, Emily chucked the ball to Lady Bombers' varsity catcher Lauren Campbell amid a round of applause from the spectators in attendance.Her toss to home plate epitomized the strides Emily, now a junior, has made in the year-plus since she was critically injured in a car crash on Jan. 19, 2014, in Franklin Township.Melissa Melville, a friend of the family, said the girls on the softball team "invited Emily down because they knew she wouldn't be able to play. She still wanted to be a part of the team."The girls were thrilled to have Emily with them, and are very supportive of her, Melville said."They had her be team captain, had her come out and do handshakes with both teams," Melville said.Afterward, Emily posted a message on Facebook."Thanks everyone. I'm so thankful I got to do this! I had a blast."JV softball coach Tricia McElmoyle said, "Emily's courage and optimism is unbelievable. She has been through so much the past year but she continues to fight every day and take on each challenge with a smile."She added, "She is an inspiration to her friends, family, teammates, coaches and teachers. Being able to see her back on the softball field was an incredible feeling for all of us."McElmoyle coached Emily when she played first base for the JV team, wearing uniform number 7.Emily returned home to Palmerton on Sept. 18, nearly eight months to the day she was seriously injured in the car crash.As a show of support that day, fellow high school classmates lined up along the 200 block of Delaware Avenue to greet Emily upon her arrival into town.Several firetrucks accompanied Emily as she was driven to her Columbia Avenue home by her mother, Beth Brong.As she returned home, Emily was welcomed by family and friends who showered her with attention.Emily was one of four passengers in a car driven by fellow high school student Liz Heffley, whose car was hit by another teen driver whose car slid on ice.The students were heading out to practice for softball.Heffley's car was pushed off into another car, which is what caused extensive injuries to Emily, who was sitting in the front passenger seat.Emily was hospitalized and in Good Shepherd Rehabilitation after the crash.Melville said the electric wheelchair has been of a big help to Emily."Now, she goes out," Melville said. "We've been walking with her in town."Melville said Emily's speech is coming along, and she attends classes at the high school two days a week."She loves it," said Melville, who added that Emily also has a tutor who comes to her family's house.Additionally, Melville said Emily continues to go to Good Shepherd three days a week.Melville said Emily helps out the girls junior varsity softball team, and will eventually help out with the Bowmanstown Blaze softball team.The Times News has shared the video of the event on our Facebook page.