The Palmerton softball team started out its season with consecutive losses to Colonial League foes, Wilson and Salisbury.

The slow start has been magnified by the early-season weather that has limited on-field practice time, postponed games, and prevented the Bombers from reaching a rhythm of any kind.

Friday against Moravian Academy, the Bombers were finally able to return to the field — and it was obvious that they quickly found some offensive rhythm.

Palmerton erupted for 19 runs in the first frame and went on to post a 19-1 Colonial League victory.

The two-and-a-half inning, mercy-rule win was the Bomber’ first of the season.

In the opening frame, Palmerton batted around the order twice as the much-needed confidence boost arrived for the blue-and-white at a great time.

“Obviously, the first win of the year, anyway you can get it, you’re going to take it,” Palmerton head coach Bob Hock said. “But we hit the ball tonight and we’re capable of doing that. The girls responded today and every victory gets us one step closer to our goal of playoffs.”

Brianna Driscoll, Paige Shupp and Avery Neipert all had home runs in the offensive outburst to pace the victors. Also, seven of the Bombers’ nine starters scored at least twice in the opening inning.

“Hopefully, we can continue to play well, and like we’re capable of playing,” Hock said. “After those two losses (to open the season), we were afraid that doubt was starting to creep in. But hopefully with some good games, they start to believe in themselves, and continue to improve.”

Shupp and Kailah Altemose teamed up on the mound for a one-hitter, allowing one run.

“In our first game, we hit the ball well,” Hock said. “Against Salisbury, not so much. Plus, our defense has been letting us down a little bit. We’re giving up a lot of free runs, too many walks and hit batters, compounded by errors. That’s never a good thing. So we can’t do that.”

Driscoll finished the outing with two singles and her home run, Shupp had a single, a double and the homer, while Peyton Lesher and Madison Finley both added two hits apiece.

Moravian Academy, with just nine players on its roster, is experiencing a down season, and the sportsmanship displayed by the winners in the final stages of the shortened outing was nice to see.

“We’re aware of Moravian and what they’re about, and credit to them for continuously showing up, putting their best effort and enthusiasm out there,” Hock said. “They have a lot of young players that are ready, willing, and able, but we hit the ball well today.”

SPORTSMANSHIP ... In the bottom of the second, the Bombers had two base runners deliberately leave the bags early (an automatic out) to avoid the possibility of putting up more runs. The move was received well by the Lions and those in attendance.

WEATHER OR NOT ... Hock is fully aware the impact of the inclement weather had on his team, as well as opponents. “We’re all hoping for some warmer weather and better playing conditions so we can get a little more consistency and hopefully get into a better rhythm out there,” he said.

Moravian Acad. 100 - 1 2 6

Palmerton (19)0x - 19 21 0

Fadaino and Busch; Shupp, Altemose (3) and Green, A. Frantz (3). W - Shupp, L - Fadaino. HR: P - Driscoll (1st, two on), Shupp (1st, one on), Neipert (1st, two on).