It was a Colonial League baseball showdown between Northwestern and Palmerton on Thursday.

One that has still yet to be decided.

A back-and-forth contest between the two schools was stopped in the top of the 12th inning with the score tied at 6-6.

Northwestern’s Wesley George broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the seventh inning with a go-ahead single. But Palmerton answered right back, getting a game-tying, one-out single by Nate Stroup.

However, pitching was the name of the game in extra innings.

Shaun O’Donnell came into the tied ballgame for Northwestern, and held the Blue Bombers to one hit over three-and one-third innings. O’Donnell had the winning run at second until he struck out Palmerton leadoff batter Daniel Lucykanish to send the game into extras.

Both teams had opportunities with runners in scoring position, but neither was able to plate in a run, and the game will resume at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Palmerton.

“We got the lead early,” Palmerton head coach Tyler Svetik said. “Unfortunately, they clawed their way back into it and took the lead. Just proud of our guys for pushing one across there in the bottom of the seventh to tie it. We had some opportunities there in extra innings, and getting some guys at second base. We weren’t able to push one across.

“Super proud of our guys defensively. Northwestern (10-7) had a lot of base-runners in extra innings and in scoring position and put us in some tough spots.”

In the extra-innings, Palmerton (12-5) played the infield up to prevent a run from crossing the plate. Northwestern had the bases loaded at one point, but the Blue Bombers were able to get out of the jam.

“We were playing infield in at least three of those extra innings, and we were able to get out of every jam,” Svetik added, “I’m real happy with our effort today. It was an easy game for our guys to quit when it’s going past three hours, a lot of guys lose focus, but I’m super proud of them today.”

The Northwestern bats got going in the third inning when George began with a leadoff single. Joshua Lichman doubled in George to put Northwestern up on the board. Lichman was key for the Tigers on after holding Palmerton to three hits and one run over four-and one-third innings pitched.

“Josh was good, and that was probably one of his better outings he’s had throughout the season,” Northwestern head coach Chad Cooperman said. “It was really good to see him come out and throw strikes, and make quality pitches. He really kept us in the game, and that’s all you can ask.”

Lichman faced Palmerton counterpart Lucas Netznik for most of the game. Chase Moyer started for Northwestern, but only pitched two innings.

Palmerton was able to get to Moyer early in the second and third innings with five runs. Moyer made a diving catch in the bottom of the sixth inning to prevent any Palmerton players from getting on base.

“You just treat it like any other game,” Cooperman said about the resumption of Palmerton game. “You really need to prepare and focus in the pregame part just so your guys are hopefully locked in. It’s one of those things where you have to be ready to go right away.”

LIGHTS-OUT PITCHING

... Both bullpens were effective in extra innings. Palmerton’s Jacob Grammes threw four scoreless innings, while Shaun O’Donnell limited the Blue Bombers to one hit in three-and-one-third innings.

KEEPING AN EYE ON PITCH COUNTS

... Prior to the resumption of Sunday’s game against Palmerton, Northwestern faces Salisbury on Saturday, and Cooperman had to keep an eye on his pitchers’ counts to make sure their availabilities are good for the Salisbury game. “Looking at the league playoff picture, the Salisbury game has a bigger impact than the Palmerton game because you have to make sure you have at least two quality arms available for that game,” Cooperman said. “We’ll have a couple of guys ready to go.” The Tigers close out the regular season against Catasauqua on Monday.

CLOSING IT OUT

... After finishing the resumption of the Northwestern game Sunday, the Bombers will close out the regular season against Northern Lehigh on Monday. Like Northwestern, Palmerton will also be ready to go. “We’ll come in Sunday normal just like we’re starting the game 0-0. We’ll come in the same time, do the same routine. I have guys that are unfortunately unavailable because we’re picking up where it left off, and I already used them. We’re going to have everyone show up just like they’re playing; I don’t want to make everything out of order.”

Northwestern 002 021 100 00 - 6 17 3

Palmerton 023 000 100 00 - 6 9 1

Moyer, Lichtman (3), O’Donnell (7), Freeman (10) and Augustus. Netznik, Hosier (7), Grammes (8) and Serfass.