Coaches love to call wins “a team effort.”

Tyler Svetik didn’t use those words to describe Palmerton’s 9-7 victory Tuesday over Pine Grove in the District 11 Class 3A quarterfinals, but the Blue Bombers’ head coach easily could have.

Up and down the lineup, his players found a way — either with a hit, scoring a run, knocking one in, or just doing something fundamentally correct — to contribute to the win.

And on a day when the entire roster chipped in, it was somewhat fitting that the No. 9 hitter had a big game.

“Ben (Negley) was really good in the 9-spot for us today, and I think throughout the order everybody did at least something productive,” said Svetik, whose club will now face Notre Dame in the semifinals on Saturday. “I know the 8-spot didn’t score or have a hit but did get a bunt down (that moved two runners). So, everybody did something today.”

Negley finished with a pair of hits, one of them a two-run double in the fifth inning that extended Palmerton’s lead to 9-2.

“I went through a big slump in the middle of the year, but it definitely came together today,” said Negley. “I had some good swings, some good important swings.

“We had an 0-0 mindset, and both team’s regular-season records didn’t matter. They’re out the window. We came in and just wanted to play our best baseball. That’s what we did. Our offense was great, and the defense made plays when it mattered. It was a big-time win.”

The third-seeded Bombers got the early jump, staking ace pitcher Cameron Pengelly to a 3-0 lead in the first frame. Greyson Ahner dropped a single to center that scored a pair of runs while a balk accounted for the third tally.

But the Cardinals, seeded sixth, struck back right away.

Chase Nagle knocked in a run with a single, while a ground out plated another run to make it 3-2.

“Getting a three-spot in the first inning was huge for us ... Getting on the board first, putting pressure on them I thought was key,” said Svetik. “And with Cameron on the mound, we have a lot of confidence when we get a couple runs early. We let them back in there a little bit, but obviously we got more as we kept going.

“I’ve seen Cam with better command ... I don’t think he was on his A-game, but he was good enough for us today. Even when Cam’s not 100 percent or on his A-plus game, he’s still a lot better than a lot of pitchers in the league. He was good today.”

Pengelly didn’t give up another run during the rest of his five-inning outing. He struck out nine, walked four, and allowed four hits.

And he received more support — in the way of run-scoring extra-base hits — as the game continued.

Luke Matsko delivered an RBI triple to right in the third, while Jason Carrelli blasted a ground-rule double to center that brought home a run. Negley’s two-run double in the fifth pushed the margin to what looked like an insurmountable seven-run advantage.

“We look to drive the ball when we’re in hitter’s counts, and I think our guys did that a little bit today,” said Svetik.

“Singles are fine, but those extra base hits hurt a little more. And I think we did it every time with guys on base. They were really big for us today, they drove a couple guys in. It gave us some energy.”

Pine Grove received an energy boost in its last at-bat to make things interesting. Dane Hannevig blasted a two-run homer, while Wyatt Snyder crushed an RBI double. Two more runs scored on grounders, as Palmerton was more than happy to trade runs for outs.

“A little bit,” said Svetik when asked if the last inning got dicey. “Went out and just told (reliever Brady Reph) don’t walk kids. I didn’t think they’d hit their way back into it as long as we’re not giving free passes.

“Listen, credit to them. They put some really good swings on when they were down 9-2. They could have easily folded, and they didn’t. Credit to those kids for not giving up. But we were able to finish it off.”

TOP HITTERS ... Negley, Carrelli and Matsko all had two hits for the Bombers, who had five different players with RBIs and six that scored runs.

PIN CUSHIONS ... Palmerton was hit by four pitches, including Pengelly twice. Of the four, three eventually scored.

HEART OF THE ORDER? ... Pengelly, who threw 98 pitches, handled the Cardinals’ 2-5 hitters. Against the righty, they were 1-for-11 with eight strikeouts.

Pine Grove 020 000 5 - 7 8 0

Palmerton 301 320 x - 9 9 1

Sirbaugh, Snyder (4) and Dixon; Pengelly, Reph (6) and Ahner. W - Pengelly. L - Sirbaugh. HR: Pine Grove - Hannevig (7th, one on).

Records: Pine Grove (7-14); Palmerton (13-9).