With playoff spots on the line, the effort has to match the stakes.

For the second time in five days, the Palmerton and Jim Thorpe baseball teams squared off Monday with postseason implications hanging in the balance.

The Blue Bombers needed one more Colonial League win to qualify for a district berth, while the Olympians were trying to stay alive in the playoff race.

After Palmerton’s 3-1 win in the first meeting, many expected a similar result in the rematch. And while the outcome was the same, the path there was much different.

Behind a strong start from Cameron Pengelly and a quick offensive surge, Palmerton earned an 8-4 victory to secure its spot in the postseason.

The Bombers jumped on Jim Thorpe starter Cole Lazorick early, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning on three doubles to take a 4-0 lead.

They followed it with four more runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run single from Luke Matsko. Mason George drove in two runs, and Jason Carrelli went 3-for-4 at the plate.

“I think seeing their best kid for the first time really prepared us,” said Carrelli, referencing Jim Thorpe’s Nik Schwartz, who pitched in the teams’ earlier meeting. “Our defense was good both games, but just locking in on offense really helped today.”

With the offense providing an early cushion, Pengelly and the defense took care of the rest.

The senior tossed six innings, allowing just two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five.

“He just pounds the zone every time he’s out there and lets his defense do the work,” said Palmerton head coach Tyler Svetik.

“He makes pitches, throws strikes, and anytime he takes the mound, we have a ton of confidence we’re going to get a win.”

Despite falling behind 8-0 after two innings, Jim Thorpe didn’t go away quietly. Reliever Tyler Hoherchak allowed just one hit over four innings to keep the Olympians in the game.

Jim Thorpe capitalized on a few errors to trim the deficit to four in the seventh and brought the tying run to the on-deck circle before Palmerton was able to close it out.

The Olympians fell to 6-10 and are now in a must-win situation the rest of the way. One more loss will eliminate them from postseason contention.

Palmerton’s win assures it of at least a .500 record in Colonial League play, clinching a district playoff berth. The Bombers now shift their focus to securing a spot in the Colonial League playoffs.

Svetik is proud of how far his team has come, especially after an 0-2 start, but knows there’s still room for improvement.

“Starting out 0-2, it’s been a long road, but the guys have done a great job fighting throughout the year,” he said. “I’m really proud of how they’ve not given in since the beginning of the season. I think our defense has improved. Our pitching—throwing strikes—has improved.

“And then our offense has been good. As far as cleaning things up, we still make errors at times. I think when we get a lead, we need to keep our foot on the gas a little more.”

DESPERATION MODE ... Jim Thorpe must win out to stay alive in the playoff hunt. The Olympians close their season with games against Bangor, Northwestern Lehigh, Northern Lehigh, and Lehighton.

HOME STRETCH ... Palmerton finishes the regular season against Lehighton, Executive Education, Northwestern Lehigh, Northern Lehigh, and Stroudsburg.

Jim Thorpe 001 001 2 - 4 4 2

Palmerton 440 000 x - 8 8 4

Lazorick, Hoherchak (3) and MoDavis; Pengelly, Becker (7), Borger (7) and Ahner. W - Pengelly. L - Lazorick.

Records: Jim Thorpe (6-10; 5-9 CL); Palmerton (9-6; 9-6 CL).