Both Jim Thorpe and Palmerton's offenses might not be perfect at this early point of the season, but the pitching nearly was.

In a pitcher's duel that saw the two sides combine for only two hits, the Olympians took advantage of two untimely Blue Bomber errors in the top of the ninth to swipe a 1-0 non-league win that officially began both teams' seasons.A scoreless game through seven frames resulted in extra innings. In the top of the ninth, the Olympians' Max Pompa drove a shot to center, which was mishandled, allowing him to reach base. Aaron Joyce then followed with a grounder, which resulted in a throwing error, bringing Pompa in for the game's only run."It's obviously huge to get off on the right foot," Jim Thorpe head coach Derick Reis said. "To start out getting a win over a defending district champion that won a game in the state playoffs is huge. It's definitely a confidence-booster, heading into the gauntlet that is the Schuylkill League."The Olympians' Tyler Baird and Bombers' Garrett Perschy, the game's two starting hurlers, were both dominant.Baird pitched six frames of no-hit ball, beginning with 11 consecutive ground outs. He tallied three strikeouts and allowed only one walk."My fastball was working, my curve was good and the defense behind me played really well today," Baird said. "It's a nice way to start the season, it's great to get the win, and it will motivate us to compete the rest of the season."Perschy, meanwhile, collected seven strikeouts in four innings, while giving up no hits and a walk."Tyler did a heck of a job today," Reis said. "I couldn't have asked for a better start for him, and as he approached 60-65 pitches through six innings, giving up no hits, it was a tough decision, but we want to keep him healthy."Seniors Matt Day and Nick Porembo managed the last three innings to close out the game as Day earned the mound win and Porembo notched the save.Two grounders and a fly ball ended the Bombers' chances in the bottom of the ninth."There's no situation too tough for Nick," Reis said about Porembo's save. "I trust him with slamming the door there at the end, no matter the opponent."Despite the loss, Palmerton head coach Mike Svetik saw positives."We're disappointed with the loss, obviously, but we started out last season in similar fashion and then we went on a roll," he said. "We can't be too concerned after one game, especially coming into it, essentially from the gymnasium."The Bombers have no time to rest, as they travel to Wilson today to begin their league season.NO OFFENSE ... Olympian senior Jake Burkhart and Bomber sophomore Tanner Burnett were the only players to manage hits in the game, both connecting for singles.ALL POSITIVES ... Both teams' players and coaches were more than content to just be out on the field. Storm Stella's effects were still playing havoc with field conditions during the first week of the season, but at least both teams were able to get nine innings under their belt.Jim Thorpe 000 000 001 - 1 1 0Palmerton 000 000 000 - 0 1 2Baird, Day (7), Porembo (9) and A. Joyce; Perschy, Schoenberger (5), Mooney (7) and Burnett. W - Day, L - Mooney, S - Porembo.