PINE GROVE — It came down to one swing of the bat to decide an exhilarating, white-knuckle softball game Friday night.

For a determined Palmerton team, one could argue it deserved a better outcome. For Blue Mountain, however, this type of finish has become the norm.

When Emmerson Frie launched a towering fly ball down the left-field line, it disappeared into the dark sky while hugging the yellow foul pole 220 feet from home plate at Susan Y. Stump Softball Field.

For a brief moment, both teams waited to see if the ball would stay fair before clearing the fence.

Both the home plate and third-base umpires signaled home run — and a walk-off at that.

Once Frie crossed home plate, her teammates erupted in celebration as Blue Mountain secured a 3-2 victory and advanced to the District 11 Class 3A championship game Wednesday against familiar foe North Schuylkill. Both teams compete in the rugged Schuylkill League.

“I was looking to just put the ball in play, make good contact,” Frie said of her game-winning homer, her sixth of the season.

“I just wanted to get more runners on base. I just kept looking at it and had a feeling it was going out ... (more so) hoping it would stay fair and it did.”

The loss was a difficult one for Palmerton, which appeared poised to finally break through against Blue Mountain. The Blue Bombers have repeatedly reached this stage, only to fall short despite strong efforts.

Palmerton nearly earned a trip to the winner’s bracket and a spot in the PIAA state tournament behind the standout pitching of freshman Hailey George, who looked far more experienced than a rookie.

Blue Mountain’s only runs before the walk-off came during a chaotic third inning.

The Eagles took a 2-0 lead with two outs on singles by Mackenzie Manbeck and Hailey Barry, along with two Palmerton throwing errors. Both runs were unearned.

That lead held until the top of the fifth inning when Palmerton rallied.

With one out, Samantha Wolfe started the comeback with a single. She moved to second on a bunt by George, who beat out the throw for an infield hit. Both runners advanced on the play.

Blue Mountain pitcher Emily Leonard, like George, had been dominant to that point.

But Leonard then had to face Palmerton standout Barry, one of the program’s all-time hits leaders. Barry delivered with a two-run single to center field that tied the game at 2-2.

The momentum carried into the field for Palmerton.

In the bottom of the fifth, Blue Mountain’s Dashawna Vincent lofted a fly ball to left field and appeared headed for third base after the outfielder fell. However, shortstop Barry hustled to the fence, fired a strike to third baseman Jaylin Strohl, who applied the tag for a key out.

Moments later, Palmerton cut down another runner at third base to end another Blue Mountain threat.

“Those were good heads-up plays, they wanted it and they fought for it,” veteran Palmerton manager Bobby Hock said of the defensive plays.

As strong as Palmerton’s defense was, George’s performance in the circle stood out. She matched Leonard inning for inning.

“There is a reason that team went 22-4 and got to the championship game of the Colonial League,” Blue Mountain manager Paul Leonard said. “We’re an aggressive team running (the bases) and they made some outstanding plays. Hey, we’ve played that way all season and we’re not changing.”

Blue Mountain also got the clutch home run it needed to send the two-time defending state champion to the district finals and clinch a spot in the state tournament.

“I’ve got nothing but praise for the team ... they stepped it up a few notches, knowing they had to. Hailey George threw a whale of a game and she seems to thrive on (games) like that. And our kids defended really well,” Hock said.

WEB GEMS ... Palmerton third baseman Jaylin Strohl turned in an impressive defensive performance. She handled several hard-hit ground balls with ease and even made a smooth backhanded catch on a foul ball near the dugout.

HITTING AWAY ... Both teams finished with six hits. George led Palmerton with two singles, while Wolfe doubled. Barry, Strohl and Ferber each added singles. Blue Mountain was led by Manbeck’s two hits and Frie’s game-winning homer. Addyson Fishburn, Haley Pace and Vincent each contributed hits, including a double by Vincent.

JUST MISSED IT ... Barry tied the school’s all-time hits record with her two-run single. Barry was one of four seniors playing her final home game along with Tessa Sander, Grace Schneider and Ferber.

Palmerton 000 020 0 - 2 6 1

Blue Mountain 020 000 1 - 3 6 2

George and Trumbore; Leonard and Frie. W - Leonard. L - George. HR: Blue Mountain - Frie (7th, none on).