There’s no denying the impact Palmerton’s four seniors have had on its success this season.

Emily Baumgardt, Megan Serfass, Megan Green and Yesmine Olewine have combined for a .477 batting average, 173 hits and 110 RBIs.

The “core four” have helped the Blue Bombers compile a 21-4 record, and on Tuesday they helped the team capture the District 11 Class 3A championship with a 6-1 win over North Schuylkill.

Experience goes a long way for every title team, but in the case of Palmerton, its inexperienced players have also been a part of its magical 2021 run.

The Bombers boast an impressive group of underclassmen that have come up big in crucial moments, starting with freshman pitcher and cleanup hitter Carly Gaffney.

While Gaffney is only a frosh, she certainly doesn’t play like one. She has anchored the pitching position for Palmerton throughout the season, posting a 20-4 record with a 2.61 ERA and 130 strikeouts.

The freshman isn’t just a dominating presence in the circle either, as she can get it done from the plate as well. Gaffney is hitting .466 with 38 RBIs and has an on-base percentage of .462.

“Coming into the season, we didn’t know what we were going to do with the pitching position,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “Due to COVID-19 canceling spring sports a year ago, we weren’t really able to see any of the junior high girls play, so we heard some good things about this season’s incoming freshman class having some good pitching, but didn’t really know.

“Carly then came in and never relinquished the pitching spot. She really has just performed above and beyond what you would ever expect from a freshman. She locates her pitches very well and is fearless out there. And then at the plate, she has just been an absolute terror. (To have) 38 RBIs is outstanding for any player, but especially for a freshman. She’s just had a great year for us.”

Gaffney isn’t the only youngster who has produced results this season for the Bombers. Freshmen Megan Matsko, Sydney Frantz and Cadee Munjone have all made notable contributions, along with sophomore Kelsey Balliet.

Matsko, who holds down the “hot corner” at third for Palmerton, has a .355 batting average with 16 runs, 27 hits and 16 RBIs. Balliet has also been good with the stick, and serves as one the Bombers’ most dangerous power hitters. Balliet is batting .281 with 16 hits and 19 RBIs and had a video game-like three home runs in one contest against rival Northwestern earlier this season.

Juniors Alyssa Silliman (.314 batting average, 11 hits and 11 runs), Kaylee Strohl and Madalynn Moyer have also made an impact for Palmerton.

“Our younger players and role players have certainly made the most of their opportunities,” said Hock. “As the season went on they all just really settled in and started to make some big plays for us and that definitely energized us.

“We’ve had to do some platooning due to COVID and all the girls just handled it really well. It’s also great to see these younger girls gaining so much experience in key moments. That’s only going to help their development as a whole and the program as we move forward.”

Next up, the Bombers will head to Pine Grove at noon on Monday to face the runner-up of the District 4 championship game, which will either be Loyalsock or Central Columbia in the first round of the PIAA Class 3A tournament.

“These girls aren’t ready to go home yet,” said Hock. “We’re all certainly proud of everything we’ve done up to this point; winning a district title, but we know that bonus softball like this doesn’t come around every year.

“We’ve been talking about that this week. That we want to make the most of this opportunity. Let’s get out there, see how things go and maybe we can get hot and keep this thing going a little longer.”