FAYETTEVILLE — Cumberland Valley tied the game 3-3 with a run in the top of the fifth inning, but an eight-run explosion by Chambersburg in the bottom half of the fifth enabled the Trojans to pull away.

The result was an 11-5 victory in the first round of the District 3 Class 6A softball playoffs at Norlo Park on Wednesday.

No. 7 seed Chambersburg (15-7) will now face No. 2 Penn Manor (15-2) at Manor M.S. in Millersville in a quarterfinal game on Thursday at 4:30.

“Playing CV, you never know what you’ll get, plus they know us well,” Trojan coach Chris Skultety said. “I expected some runs today and that eight-run inning turned it around for us.”

Kirsten Johnson led off the bottom of the fifth with a single and Kara Neidigh reached on a bunt single. A base hit by Brooklyn Miller loaded the bases for Sara Washabaugh, who singled in the first run.

Hailey Privett made it 5-3 with a base hit, and Hannah Weagley reached on a fielder’s choice. Alexis Estep and Alyssa Wenger drew walks to load the bases again, and Taylor Myers (pictured below) hit an RBI single.

Johnson, batting for the second time in the inning, unloaded a triple to clear the bases, and she came home when Neidigh also hit a triple.

Skultety said, “We’ve seen CV’s pitchers, so we made some adjustments. They were taking a chance by playing their outfielders way in, and Kirsten and Kara popped the ball over their heads.”

Johnson (pictured below) finished 3-for-3 with a walk and four RBIs. Myers was 3-for-4 and drove in two, including one with a double in the second inning, when Chambersburg went ahead 3-0. Privett was also 2-for-3.

All that offense made it easier for pitcher Mackenzie Stake (8-4), who went the distance. She allowed nine hits, five runs, five earned runs, walked one and struck out seven.

“Stake threw a great game, other than against (Katie) Wingert,” Skultety said.

Eagles catcher Katie Wingert, a Rutgers recruit, was 3-for-3 with two home runs.

Chambersburg and Penn Manor have met each of the last two years in the District 3 championship game, with the Trojans winning 1-0 in 10 innings and 13-2. The Comets’ ace pitcher Brittany Hook will try for her first win against Chambersburg on Thursday.