The Palmerton girls softball team has been known for its offensive explosiveness throughout the 2021 season.

That’s one of the reasons it drew the No. 1 seed in the District 11 Class 3A girls softball playoffs.

The other reason was the pitching performance by freshman Carly Gaffney all season long.

So, when No. 8 seed Northern Lehigh drew first blood in their quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday afternoon, there was no sign off panic from the Blue Bombers.

Palmerton quickly took control, and then lowered the boom with 11 runs in the fourth inning en route to a 15-1 victory in five innings.

“Northern Lehigh came inspired to play after getting into districts,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “They played us well, dropping a 12-9 decision in their Senior Night, so they had ideas of coming here and pulling an upset.

“We didn’t get rattled after they scored, Carly settled in, and our bats came to life and good things happened.”

Slapping out eight hits in the 11-run fourth helped Palmerton seal the deal, expanding a three-run lead into a 14-run advantage.

The big fourth inning for the winners started when Kelsey Balliet singled, Alyssa Silliman reached on a fielder’s choice and Sydney Frantz singled to load the bases.

Emily Baumgardt walked to force in the first run.

Megan Serfass singled in two more runs, and Megan Green’s sacrifice fly scored another to make it 8-1.

After another sacrifice fly by Gaffney made it two outs, singles by Yesse Olewine, Megan Matsko, Cadee Munjone and Baumgardt sandwiched around a Madalynn Moyer triple added seven more runs.

“They are capable of innings like that all the time,” said Hock. “They know how to run the bases, and when you string together the hits like that and watch them do what they do, it’s fun to watch.

“We had four returning players returning from that championship team two years ago and they were excited to get back on the field, and the younger kids just took the cue from them.”

After the Bulldogs’ Haylie Fenstermaker led off the first with a single, Emma Smith reached on a fielder’s choice, went to second on a single by Bree Hess, and scored on a base hit by Cadence Peters.

The Bombers scored three in the bottom of the inning as Baumgardt and Gaffney both singled, Olewine doubled and all three eventually crossed the plate.

Palmerton’s other run came in the third when Green tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gaffney.

“We’re extremely proud of this group,” said Northern Lehigh head coach Katie Farber. “We’re a young team, they had to grow up in a hurry and we had to overcome a few obstacles with the COVID stuff. They came out to play, and didn’t disappoint. They came ready and struck early, but the wheels fell off a little bit, and you have to give Palmerton credit. They are a good hitting team, and for us just to get here was an honor.”

SEMIFINALS NEXT … The Blue Bombers will now take on No. 4 seed Notre Dame of Green Pond, a 5-2 winner over Allentown Central Catholic, on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Palmerton. Pine Grove will face North Schuykill in the other semifinal.

BIG BATS … Baumgardt, Serfass, Olewine and Ballet all had a pair of hits for the Bombers, as every starter reached base in what was a solid team effort.

ANOTHER WIN … Gaffney added another victory to her ledger, allowing five hits while striking out six.

Northern Lehigh 100 0 0 - 1 5 1

Palmerton 301 (11)x - 15 14 0

Heiney, Smith (4) and Stock; Gaffney and Green. W - Gaffney. L - Heiney.