With the season winding down, the importance of each game becomes even greater.

Playoff hopes can hinge on a single play.No team knows that better than Palmerton, which used timely hitting and stellar defense to pick up a critical 2-0 win over Northwestern on Monday.The Blue Bombers entered the contest a game behind the Tigers in fifth place and in the Colonial League West Division standings."It's just huge," said Palmerton head coach Bob Hock. "Our season may or may not have been riding on this game. Obviously, we're battling for a spot (in the Colonial League playoffs) with them, and a few of the other teams, which is the case in our division every year it seems."We still have a couple of tough games ahead of us, so every one we can pick up is huge for us. This was a good win."One that was sealed with an electrifying catch.With two outs and a runner standing on second base in the top of the seventh inning, Blue Bombers' (12-5, 10-5) right-fielder Lindsey Shimko robbed Northwestern's Kayla Mitman of an extra-base hit to end the game."You know that if it gets past you, that they're hustling all the way home, no matter what, because there is no fence and it is very far," said Shimko, who started the season as an infielder. "You just have to keep it in front of you or get it down."The softball field on Seventh Street in Palmerton has no clearly defined outfield fences or walls, giving each ball hit into the gap the potential to be an extra-base hit - or more."We definitely had our opportunities there all the way up until the very end," said Northwestern head coach Josh Zimmerman. "The right fielder made a heck of play on that play, on a ball that I think could have tied up the game."Palmerton leadoff hitter Paige Shupp made the most of the field's unique characteristics in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Shimko drew a one-out walk, Shupp laced a ball to the gap in left-centerfield, splitting the outfielders and giving the sophomore plenty of time to come around to score for a two-run home run to put the Blue Bombers ahead 2-0."Always gotta think to work ahead on your own count," said Shupp. "But you always gotta take into consideration that there's only that one pitch you can drive out and you always gotta hit your own pitch."Shupp was just as effective in the circle, limiting the Tigers' (9-8, 9-6) to just four hits while recording seven strikeouts.Northwestern threatened in the fifth and sixth innings.Anna Akelaitis (2-for-3) started the top of the fifth inning with a single and Mitman later drew a one-out walk, but Shupp retired the next two batters to work out of trouble.In the sixth inning, Tigers' starting pitcher Emily Akelaitis roped a one-out double to center field. But a double play ended the inning and the threat."To know that my field is behind me and that they always have my back is a really good confidence booster," said Shupp. "I know they'll have my back, no matter what."Bree Bliss was 2-for-3 for Northwestern.HITTERS... Paige Frantz, Kailah Altemose, Avery Neipert, Alyssa Olewine and Alyssa Frantz all had singles for Palmerton.PREVIOUSLY... Northwestern beat Palmerton 5-4 on April 10.LAST TIME... Monday marked Palmerton's final regular season home game. Olewine is the Blue Bombers' lone senior.Northwestern 000 000 0 - 0 4 2Palmerton 000 020 x - 2 6 0E. Akelaitis and Wehr; P. Shupp and A. Frantz. W - P. Shupp. L - E. Akelaitis. HR: P - P. Shupp (5th, one on).