Paige Shupp had a strong all-around performance in Palmerton’s 14-2 victory over Pleasant Valley on Tuesday.

Offensively, Shupp had three hits and three RBIs. She also was the winning pitcher, limiting the Bears to two runs over five innings.

“That was a good game for Paige,” Palmerton head coach Bob Hock said. “She’s pitched a few games for us this year, and that was definitely her strongest performance to date.

“Paige has been a little sporadic in the rotation, but she certainly found her groove and started hitting spots and throwing with authority today.”

Shupp got plenty of support offensively as Megan Green, Megan Serfass and Emily Baumgardt all knocked in three runs for the Blue Bombers. Green and Serfass also had home runs, while Baumgardt had three hits.

“We played our normal game,” Hock said. “We swing the bats very well up-and-down that lineup. Certainly, our top of the order gets us going very consistently. Not many breaks in our lineup, so it’s tough to defend against.

“We put the ball in play, we don’t strike out much. We show up ready to swing the bats and play some defense on top of it.”

For Pleasant Valley, pitcher Skyler Jennings ran into trouble with the Blue Bombers’ strong lineup. Palmerton got to her early as Green and Serfass drilled three-run homers in the first and third innings, respectively.

“They have a lot of sluggers there, and they proved it,” Pleasant Valley interim head coach Drew Dymond said. “That’s a hard lineup to go through, especially if you’re going to give them extra pitches and extra outs.”

“I saw some mistakes that forced our pitcher to throw a couple more pitches than we probably needed to, and it kind of adds up throughout the game. Ultimately, we just need to minimize some of these mistakes and play a cleaner game. If we can do that, I think we can make some progress.”

Cameron Caffrey and Tyler Woltal had two hits apiece for the Bears, and were also responsible for knocking in both of Pleasant Valley’s runs.

WHAT’S NEXT

… Palmerton will face Northwestern at home today. Pleasant Valley starts a two-game road trip today at Bethlehem Catholic. The Bears will then travel to Whitehall Thursday.

HOCK ON NORTHWESTERN

… “They’re a very solid team. Obviously, their record certainly indicates what’s going on over there. We did play them once, had a nice game against them, but take nothing for granted. I know (Emily) Akelaitis throws the ball well. Good pitching can shut down good hitting in a hurry. We’ll have to come and do what we have to. If that means manufacturing runs or just playing for long balls, because we got those in the arsenal as well, hopefully we get a good defensive and pitching game on the other side of it.”

Palmerton 321 71 – 14 14 2

Pleasant Vy. 101 00 – 2 8 3

Shupp and Green; Jennings, Frable (4) and Steckel. W - Shupp. L - Jennings. HR: Palmerton - Green (1st, two on), Serfass (3rd, none on).