Lehigh-Bethlehem Connie Mack got off to a good start in their quest to make two Lehigh Valley titles in three years.

They opened the championship series Monday night at home with an 11-1, five-inning victory over second-seed Nazareth. The team will have a chance to clinch the best-of-three series with a win on Wednesday night in Nazareth at 6:30 p.m.

"The team hit the ball hard and was able to take advantage of the opportunities they were given," said head coach Keith Lehman. "The team had a good defensive game only allowing three hits. It was a good team effort all around."

Jim Downey got the start and went three innings before Mike Krawchuck closed out the final two innings.

Both Connor Vanderbush and Sean Kelly were 2-for-3 with three RBIs in the victory. Tyler Erney was also 2-for-3.

Both Lehigh-Bethlehem and Nazareth will automatically advanced to the state playoffs next week at Limeport Stadium against teams from the Bucks-Montgomery Connie Mack League. Four other teams who win their best-of-three series from the Lehigh Valley League will also advance to the state playoffs.

No other scores were available as of Tuesday's Bethlehem Press deadline, but game two in the following series were scheduled for Wednesday night: Pocono East at Bangor, 5:30 p.m.; North Parkland at Pen Argyl, 5:30 p.m.; Lehigh Township at Fullerton, 5:30 p.m.; and Catasauqua at Stroudsburg, 5:30 p.m. If game threes are necessary, they are scheduled for Friday, July 12: Nazareth at Lehigh-Bethlehem, TBD; Bangor at Pocono East, 5:30 p.m.; Pen Argyl at North Parkland, 5:30 p.m.; Stroudsburg at Catasauqua, 5:30 p.m.; and Fullerton at Lehigh Township, 8:15 p.m.