LIMEPORT — Palmerton’s 3-0 loss to Southern Lehigh in the wild card round of the Colonial League playoffs on Tuesday was a story of missed opportunities.

Three times the Bombers loaded the bases, only to come up empty.

“We came out hitting the ball, but as soon as we got runners on, we couldn’t execute the bunt and we couldn’t get the big hit,” said Palmerton coach Brian Taschler. “It’s like when there’s nobody on we’re hitting the ball, and when we get runners on, it’s like a deer in the headlights.”

Palmerton’s first opportunity came in the third inning when Jake Taschler led off with a single and was bunted to second by Brody Boehler. Devyn Rehrig then hit a ground ball back at pitcher Stephen Hoyer, who alertly caught Taschler trying to advance to third and retired him for the second out of the inning. Ben Serfass and Tekoah Guedes followed with singles to load the bases, but Hoyer got a ground out to end the inning.

Palmerton had another potential rally cut short in the fourth. With runners on first and second and nobody out, Tyler Roe popped a bunt attempt back to Hoyer, who caught the ball and was able to catch Zach Silfies wandering off second for a double play.

A hit, an error and an intentional walk loaded the bases with two outs in the Bomber fifth, but Hoyer again stiffened and got a ground ball for the final out.

In the sixth inning, Palmerton loaded the bases with one out for Rehrig, who hit a fly ball to fairly shallow center field. Tanner Burnett attempted to race home from third, but a good throw from Chris Andrews nailed him at the plate.

A defensive miscue led to a Southern Lehigh run in the fourth, and the Spartans added two insurance runs in the sixth to make it 3-0. A pair of singles and a double pushed across the final runs.

Silfies had good movement on his pitches and kept hitters off balance for most of the game, giving up six hits and striking out five.

“He gave everything he had, and that’s all you can ask of the kid,” said Taschler. “He came out firing and was hitting his spots, and we let him down with the bats and a little bit with the gloves.”

Palmerton hit into two double plays and had two runners thrown out on the basepaths in the game. It also struggled to get bunts down in key situations, which hampered the offense.

“The beginning of the season, we did well but the second half of the season, it’s been a thorn in our side. We just can’t get the bunt down, or we pop it up or hit it right back to the pitcher,” Taschler said. “We’ll regroup now for districts. We definitely have a good team, and we can do some good things when we play the right way. If we play the right way, we can play with anybody.”

WATCHFUL EYES ... Southern Lehigh will now play Northwestern in the semifinals. With his team having a first-round bye and knowing they would play the winner of the game, Tigers coach Duran Porrion was in attendance for the game. The Spartans and Tigers meet this afternoon at 4 p.m. at Parkland High School.

Palmerton 000 000 0 - 0 6 1

So. Lehigh 000 102 x - 3 6 1

Silfies and Burnett; Hoyer, Lievendag (7) and Amory; W - Hoyer. L - Silfies. S - Lievendag.