OREFIELD - Palmerton and Lehighton added one of the best chapters to their storied rivalry in the District 11 Class AAA baseball championship last night at Parkland High School.

After trading the lead four times in the last two innings, the seventh-seeded Blue Bombers came away with a one-run victory and lifted the trophy in exultation.

Palmerton’s Ian Silfies scored the winning run for a 12-11 win that yielded the team’s first-ever district title.

Both squads saw plenty of big plays before the game-winning RBI-double from Garrett Perschy sent the Blue Bomber faithful into celebration.

“That was a dream right there,” Perschy said. “That was something you dream about as a little kid and the fact that it happened, I’m at a loss for words.”

Lehighton had defeated the Bombers 1-0 in the season opener. Their second meeting would be quite different

Following a five-run bottom of the fifth frame, Palmerton had erased a 7-2 Indian advantage to tie the game.

The top of the sixth saw the Tribe strike first, as Terry Buss hit into a fielder’s choice, which scored teammate Brody Hydro for the 8-7 lead.

The Bombers showed their resilience, recording three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 10-8 lead. Perschy’s single set up senior Zach Buck’s RBI-triple to center, followed by an RBI-single by Toby Sander. Sander eventually scored from second on a Tribe error.

The Indians responded in the do-or-die situation as junior Donovan Buchinsky’s three-run double gave them back the lead, 11-10. Reliever Zach Buck struck out the next Indian batter to end the inning.

Palmerton’s Jared Mooney began the seventh-inning comeback with a leadoff single, allowing pinch runner Brian Boehler to run the bases. Senior pinch-hitter Tyler King dropped a well-placed sacrifice bunt that bumped the tying run to second. A throwing error allowed Boehler to move to third.

Following a fly out by Jon Schwartz, Ian Silfies lofted an RBI-single to right to knot it at 11 apiece. That’s when Perschy’s RBI-double to left won the game and provided some redemption for the junior standout.

“I like the pressure in that type of situation and I feed off of it,” Perschy said. “In the top of the seventh, I feel I let my pitcher down with two bad fielding plays that could have possibly ended the game earlier. But the resilience of this team, Zach Buck coming through for us, and everything. It’s just amazing. What a game.”

“We love the pressure and we thrive under it,” Buck said. “We were just two underdog teams, both Lehighton and us, and to battle it out in the district championship, it’s just unreal.”

Lehighton took a 7-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning.

“(Lehighton) came out hitting the ball well and it definitely concerned me,” said Palmerton head coach Mike Svetik. “I thought Toby (Sander), Zach (Svetik) and Zach (Buck) did a great job pitching tonight, but they just hit us well.”

For Lehighton, the dream season comes to a close, as District 11 sends just one representative to the state tournament. At 12-11, Brian Polaha’s youthful crew still has plenty to be proud of.

“I thought we had it,” Polaha said. “We had all the momentum and I thought we got sloppy. I think these two teams are kind of mirror images of each other, but (Palmerton) might have a little more depth and a little more hitting than us, but they’re here, just like we are, battling until the end.”

DON’T LOOK AHEAD ... Palmerton head coach Mike Svetik admitted to not having much of a scouting report on his next opponent (either Palmyra or Hamburg) and directed his attention to appreciating the moment, enjoying the championship, at least for a day or two.

DUAL DISTRICT TITLES? ... Palmerton has a chance to be district champions in both baseball and softball, as the Lady Bombers take part in the softball title game this afternoon against Pine Grove.

LOCAL STARS ... Both teams had plenty of big-time plays, as the Tribe saw Collin Haupt finish the game 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, while Donovan Buchinsky was 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and five RBIs. Palmerton’s big two were Buck (2-for-4, double, triple, four RBIs) and Perschy (2-for-4, game-winning RBI double). Jared Mooney and Dekorte both finished with two hits, while Kole Rodriguez brought in three runs, as well.

Lehighton 004 301 3 - 11 13 4

Palmerton 100 153 2 - 12 12 1

Cordova, Mele (6) and Scherer; Sander, Svetik (4), Buck (6) and Mooney. WP – Buck, LP – Mele. HR: L – Buchinsky (3rd, one on).