ALLENTOWN - Elite pitching is a trait championship-caliber softball teams almost always have in common.

Bangor used its exceptional pitching to defeat Palmerton 3-0 in the Colonial League semifinals on Tuesday to get one step closer to a title.

The Slaters’ Nicole Smith was locked in from the onset at Patriots Park.

Facing an impressive top of the order for the Blue Bombers in Emily Baumgardt (.506), Megan Serfass (.512), Megan Green (.487) and Carly Gaffney (.500) that has been the “Murder’s Row” of the Colonial League this season, Smith held them in check, allowing no runs on no hits in the first. Green was able to get on base after a pop fly to left field was misplayed, but Smith was able to get Gaffney to ground out to second.

Aggressiveness has been the key for Palmerton this season as Baumgardt, Serfass, Green and Gaffney have combined for a stunning 117 RBIs, but on Tuesday the Bombers aggressiveness in the batter’s box seemed to play into Smith’s pitching abilities.

“I think other teams have started to catch on with our aggressiveness at the plate, and I think Bangor was able to take advantage of that today with a great pitcher,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “That’s something maybe we’re going to need to tone down just a bit. But on the other side of it, that’s what got us here, so how do you tell your kids to tone that down.

“I think we got under a few today and some that were off the plate, but like I said, we’re going to work on that. But our kids have been great. We’ve had a great year so far, and we’re looking forward to districts next week.”

Offense was at a premium in this one as Palmerton hurler Gaffney also had a nice outing, but Bangor was able to do just enough offensively to bring a few runs across.

The Slaters tallied their first run in the bottom of the first after leadoff hitter Lexi Bussenger was able to reach first on an infield error. Two hard hit ground outs later and Bussenger was able to give Bangor a 1-0 lead.

The biggest offensive inning for either ballclub came in the bottom of the third.

A single from Smith got things started, which was then followed up by an RBI-single by Kristina Langdon that scored courtesy runner Jayleigh Figurski. Siera Klingle then came through with the biggest hit of the ballgame - an RBI-double that upped the Slaters lead to 3-0.

“Nikki just did a great job today, and I can’t take any credit for that,” said Bangor head coach Pat Howarth. “Between Nikki and Sarah (Harvat); they run the show out there. They’re both seniors, they’ve both done this a long time and I have trust and faith in them, and you can see why.

“Throughout our lineup, I really have confidence in all our kids, too. We’ve done a nice job of setting our scoring up and bringing players in when they’ve been in scoring position. Today we were able to that as well. Our kids just settle down usually in those moments, and good things have been happening.”

The 3-0 cushion was all Smith would need as she remained dominant the rest of the way, allowing just three Palmerton base runners over the next four innings.

PITCHING PROWESS … Smith allowed six hits and struck out two in her shutout victory. Gaffney also had a nice outing, giving up just two earned runs on seven hits.

LEADERS … For Bangor, Langdon led the way with two hits and an RBI. Green and Gaffney paced the Bombers with two hits each.

NEXT UP … Palmerton is currently the No. 1 ranked team in District 11 Class 3A, but will drop to the second seed for the district playoffs. North Schuylkill (ranked second) and Pine Grove (third) play Thursday for the Schuylkill League title. League champs earn the top seeds, which means the Schuylkill League champ will be moved to No. 1, and Palmerton will be No. 2 and most likely face Salisbury in the district quarterfinals. Bangor will take on Northwestern’s in Thursday’s Colonial League final. The Slaters will be the top seed, win or lose, in the Class 5A brackets.

Palmerton 000 000 0 - 0 6 1

Bangor 102 000 x - 3 7 0

Gaffney and Green; Smith and Harvat. W - Smith. L - Gaffney.