Young and hungry. That’s the motto for this season’s Tamaqua softball squad, which features just three seniors.

The Blue Raiders showed that hunger on Wednesday, with a big non-league victory over Palmerton.

Tamaqua put together an impressive all-around performance to defeat the Bombers 9-1.

“We’re a very young team, and our goal at the start of the season so far has just been to cut down on those inexperienced mistakes, and stay in games, and give ourselves a chance late in the game,” said Tamaqua head coach Tony Zancofsky. “This is a big win for us. We play a tough schedule in a tough league, and this should give us some confidence moving forward.”

Three runs in the first and three more in the second helped the Raiders (2-4) get out to a 6-0 advantage. A big hit from Paige Bumbulsky in the first scored Kolby Robb and Hailey Williams to create some early momentum for Tamaqua.

In the second, four more Raiders hits from Robb, Crowley, Bumbulsky and Megan Linkhorst kept the Tamaqua offensive surge going.

“We came out and put the ball in play today, and we hit the ball very well. Really, other than one game, we have hit the ball pretty well this season,” said Zancofsky. “And then pitching-wise, I was very happy with our pitchers and our defense. We kind-of platooned our pitching today, but all three pitched well, with Leah Crowley getting us off to the good start, and then Megan Linkhorst and Paige Bumbulsky coming in later to finish it up for us.”

Palmerton (4-4) didn’t get its first hit or score its first run until the third inning, with Sydney Frantz coming through with a single for the Bombers. Palmerton struggled on the day, picking up just five hits, while committing multiple errors that led to a host of Tamaqua baserunners.

“We certainly need to clean up our act, but the good thing is that it’s early in the season and we have time to do that, but we can’t waste any time,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “I know this a very talented team, so we need to just try and work to get better game day performances going, and string together a couple wins in a row. We can still have a very good season if we’re able to do that.”

A big Williams double in the third and two runs unearned runs in the fourth helped to put the game away for the Raiders.

IN THE CIRCLE

… Crowley, Linkhorst and Bumbulsky combined to allow just five hits and one run, while striking out five. Bumbulsky, who came in for relief in the seventh, struck out three straight batters to end the game.

AT THE PLATE

… Robb led the way with three hits, while Bumbulsky added two for the Raiders.

MISCUES

… Seven Palmerton errors didn’t help its cause. Tamaqua, which hit the ball hard all day, scored multiple runs off the Bombers’ miscues.

Palmerton 001 000 0 - 1 4 7

Tamaqua 331 200 X - 9 7 1

Hal. Barry, Gaffney (6) and Balliet; Crowley, Linkhorst (5), Bumbulsky (7) and Krall. W - Crowley. L - Hal. Barry.