Bath's extra-inning, 5-4 victory over Freemansburg in Lehigh Valley Junior Legion (LVJL) regular season action recently could prove to infuse some added confidence into the club as they head through the playoffs.

Ty Conrad had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth with runners on second and third, as his single plated a pair of runs after undefeated Freemansburg (13-1) took a 4-3 lead in the top of the inning. Conrad also picked up the coveted win in the process for Bath.

"That was a huge win for us as we really had nothing left to play for at this point, and they had everything to lose," said Bath manager Evan Dwyer.

The game helped ending up giving Bath the top seed while Freemansburg dropped to second.

"A win like that can make a big difference for us with the playoffs. We have had trouble staying in games after we would get a lead. This win proves to the kids what they can do if they keep battling," Dwyer added.

Bath opened the playoffs on July 12 with a 10-0 victory over eighth-seed Nazareth, then followed it up with a 1-0 victory over fifth-seed Lower Mac. That set up a winner's bracket showdown against Freemansburg scheduled for Monday in Bath. However, rain forced that game to Tuesday night, but with rain also in the forecast.

Freemansburg, meanwhile, opened with a 13-2 win over North Central and followed that with a 2-1 win over Hellertown, which set up Tuesday's potential showdown.

North Central would drop its second game 3-2 to North Parkland.

Hellertown opened with a 6-2 upset of North Parkland and was scheduled to play South Parkland Monday in the loser's bracket.

Meanwhile, Dwyer, who is in his second season at the helm of Bath, stated how he expected a successful season after the team experienced its share of growing pains in his inaugural season last year.

"We figured things would go this way," said Dwyer. "Last year, we were very young and we were struggling. We went through a lot of different circumstances.

"This year, we brought most of our players back, and we expected to do well. In our two losses, we didn't play well for seven innings, and we had that trouble throughout the season. We would get out in front in games, but we had trouble closing out games.

"We just need to play 100-percent all of the time and play Bath Jr. Legion baseball. If we do, we can play with any of those teams. We did that against (Freemansburg in the regular season)."

Dwyer noted the steady performances of pitcher/third baseman Sam Kraihanzel, who had a 3-0 record with one save and a 1.20 ERA heading into this week's action. Kraihanzel also had a .432 average with 20 RBIs. It was Kraihanzel who went all seven innings in the win over Lower Mac.

Catcher Jared Burcin also has been a consistent performer as he had a .371 average with 15 RBIs before this week's play.

"Sam (Kraihanzel) has really stepped up his level of play throughout the season," said Dwyer. "He has been there for us all season long on the mound and with his bat. Jared (Burcin) has really had his share of big hits for us. He also has stepped it up when we needed it and done a solid job behind the plate."

With consistent play all season and a big victory in the grasp, Dwyer is confident of his team's chances in the league playoffs.

"We have been playing well," said Dwyer. "We have had a good team effort and we have the ability to do well in the playoffs."