SPRINGFIELD - One big hit.

That’s all it took for Palmerton to take a breath, relax and play its game.

And because the Blue Bombers were able to do that, they will be playing in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class 3A state playoffs.

Sydney Frantz drilled a two-run triple to deep left in the second inning, and scored on the same play, to extend a narrow one-run lead against Philadelphia Academy Charter.

An inning later, Palmerton batted around to take control and eventually cruise to a 13-2 first-round victory at Cardinal O’Hara’s softball field.

“We looked a little carefree out there for an inning or so, but all it takes is one or two big hits and then everyone seems to follow suit,” said Bomber head coach Bob Hock. “Frantz got it started with that triple and once that happened, then everyone wanted to join in the festivities. And that’s what took place out there.

“It was still just 2-1 and we had a couple kids still standing out there with two outs, and she circled the bases with her hit and all of a sudden we had breathing room. And we tend to play well when we’re winning.”

Both clubs tallied a run in the first inning with Carly Gaffney delivering an RBI single for Palmerton, and Gina Olivieri coming through with a run-scoring hit after a pair of walks in front of her.

In the second, the Bombers (16-9) were able to take a lead - but not on their own merit. A hit by pitch, strikeout/wild pitch and an error accounted for the run that put the District 11 runner-ups ahead. Despite the lead, Palmerton hitters were just 1-for-8 up to that point.

Frantz, however, turned a tentative and somewhat subdued bench into a lively group of players.

“I think it was definitely the spark of the game, to get us started,” said Frantz of her extra-base blow that pushed Palmerton’s advantage to 5-1. “We knew what we needed to do with the bats, and we got it going.

“She (PAC starter Olivieri) was a little bit slower than the pitchers we’ve seen all year, so we had to adjust and we finally did the second time around the lineup.”

Did they ever.

With some of the tension lifted, and having seen Olivieri’s offerings, the Bombers exploded in the third inning for seven runs.

After Kelsey Balliet singled to start the uprising, Cadee Munjone and Megan Matsko both blasted RBI doubles off the left-field fence. Kaylee Strohl followed with another two-base hit just inside the third-base bag and down the line to make it 8-1.

A fly to left and an RBI ground out pushed the advantage to 10-1, while the fifth double of the frame - and her second hit of the inning - from Balliet chased home two more runs.

That was more than enough runs for winning pitcher Gaffney, who settled in after a shaky start.

“I don’t really know if it was jitters, I just wasn’t on,” said the sophomore hurler. “I just needed to get my head more into the game, and I did.”

Gaffney allowed a pair of walks and a hit in the opening inning, as she just couldn’t consistently find the zone.

“She starts some games slowly,” said Hock. “We talk about it in the workout, pregame and yet somehow - I don’t know if it’s nerves or what it is - she gets off to a little slow start. She generally settles in, like she did today. Whatever took place today was partly her shutting them down and us starting to hit.”

After that first frame, only two other Charger players reached base - one on an error in the fourth and another on a looping single to right in the fifth.

Gaffney would end with 12 strikeouts, including at least one in every inning and the side in three of the five frames, and is looking forward to the next round.

“It feels really good,” said Gaffney of a state playoff win. “Hopefully we can get some more. We’re going to work for it, so I’m excited.”

EXTRA SPECIAL ... Of the 11 hits by Palmerton, eight of them were for extra bases. Frantz had her triple and the Bombers also had six doubles – all from different players. The doubles were hit by Gaffney, Munjone, Matsko, Strohl, Balliet and Lauren Cohen.

EVERYBODY PLAYS ... Coach Hock got to play all 16 girls on the roster, with everyone getting at least one plate appearance. “That’s just great. It’s like a coach’s dream. You know every parent here wants to see that they play, and if you can accommodate that, it’s wonderful. All was happening so fast. It was 1-1 and then the next thing you know we were scrambling, trying to make those moves. But I’m just happy every kid got to participate and contribute.”

UP NEXT ... Palmerton meets Susquenita on Thursday at a site and time to be determined. Susquenita, the runners-up from District 3, defeated District 2 champion Mid Valley 6-5 on Monday.

Palmerton 147 01 - 13 11 2

Philadelphia AC 100 10 - 2 2 4

Gaffney and Balliet; Olivieri and Geiss. W - Gaffney. L - Olivieri.