Even after they hadn't played in over a week before the start of the Lehigh Valley Connie Mack playoffs, Lehigh Township expected a possible shoot-out with Fullerton in the opening-round, best-of-three series matchup.

When the dust cleared, they weren't disappointed in the approach to the game, but they were disappointed in the outcome.

Fullerton broke open a 9-9 deadlock in the top of the seventh inning with a four-run explosion that jettisoned them to a 13-9 victory over Lehigh Township. With the win, Fullerton hosted host game two Wednesday night, after Press deadlines, and a possible tie-breaker game would be at Lehigh Township Friday night.

In the lone regular season meeting between the two teams, Lehigh Township downed Fullerton, 8-7.

"We came back a couple of times in the game, but we couldn't pull it out in the end," said Lehigh Township head coach Dennis Michael. "We knew Fullerton was good-hitting team and they hit the ball well. They (Fullerton) also got the clutch hits in the game and we needed to get a few more."

Michael credited the play of Mike Bodnar, who had a three-run double, and Nate Michael, who had a two-run single.

"Those guys had some big hits for us," said Michael. "They also have had some big hits for us all season."

On the mound, Mason Roberts - the team's most consistent pitcher all season - opened the game for Lehigh Township and pitched the first two innings. Matt Straub, who has formed an effective one-two punch with Roberts all year - took over in the third.

Michael was anxious to get his club back into action.

"It is a good series with them," he said. "We know we have to hold down their bats. We need to go back and retool a bit and come right back at them."

Lehigh-Bethlehem, North Parkland, Pocono Mountain and Stroudsburg were other winners in game ones from Monday. Game twos were Wednesday after Press deadlines with deciding game three, if necessary, get for Friday.