Palmerton started and finished strong in its Colonial League semifinal match-up with Palisades on Tuesday night at Patriots Park.

The Blue Bombers added key runs in the first and in the seventh to help them shut out the top-seeded Pirates, 7-0, and earn a berth in Thursday’s championship game against Northwestern.

Perhaps Palmerton’s most important inning of the game was the first, as it was able to get two runs across. It also got the Bombers off to a good start against tough Palisades pitcher Karlye Teman.

An error would score Sydney Frantz and Carly Gaffney, who both came through with singles in the inning.

“It’s always a big confidence booster to get on the board early, and that is especially the case when you’re facing such a quality pitcher like we were tonight,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “We wanted to come in and be able to string together some runs here, and some runs there, and credit to our players, because they made some really nice swings tonight and hit the ball hard.”

Leading 3-0 in the fourth, after a Megan Matsko RBI in the third inning, Palmerton’s Madison Green came through with maybe the biggest hit of the game for the Bombers. Green ripped a huge two-run double, which put Palmerton up 5-0 heading to the fifth.

“The double by Madison there in the fourth was really big for us,” said Hock. “You’re up 3-0 against a good team, and with that narrow of a lead, you never feel comfortable, because anything can happen and three runs can score quickly.

“But then we were able to get it to five, and you feel a little better. It makes it a little easier to call pitches and you can be selective.”

Palmerton’s bats kept the pressure on Palisades throughout the evening, but Bombers’ pitcher Gaffney kept the pressure off her team, as she pitched an absolute gem.

Gaffney allowed just one hit in the contest and struck out 10. Only four Pirates reached base.

“Carly played a heck of a softball game tonight,” said Hock. “She is a big-game pitcher for sure, and she thrives in these type of atmospheres under the bright lights.

“She did a good job of working ahead of batters all game long, and never got behind and established her outside pitches early.”

Palmerton (15-7) added two more runs in the seventh to make it 7-0, which then put the Pirates away for good. Frantz and Matsko both scored for the Bombers in the final frame.

AT THE PLATE … Frantz led the way for Palmerton with two hits. Gaffney, Green, Matsko, Hailey Barry, Pengelly, Munjone and Christoper all added one hit each. Ailish Kelleher got the lone hit of the game for Palisades.

CHAMPIONSHIP … Palmerton will take on Northwestern at 5 p.m. on Thursday for the Colonial League championship at Pates Park. The Tigers won both meetings this season by scores of 5-3 and 4-0.

TURNED IT AROUND … On April 5, Palmerton was sitting at 4-4. Since then, the Bombers are an impressive 11-3, and are headed back to the Colonial League title game.

Palmerton 201 200 2 - 7 9 0

Palisades 000 000 0 - 0 1 4

Gaffney and Balliet; Teman and Amato. W - Gaffney. L - Teman.