WINDSOR – The last time Bertie made the softball playoffs the only figure that was the same was head coach Jackie Copeland.

The Lady Falcons advanced to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs Saturday afternoon after winning the 3-A division of the Northeastern Coastal Conference.

That was a milestone for the Lady Falcons, but the lack of playoff experience haunted Bertie in an 11-2 loss to Southern Wayne.

&uot;I think it was a high-anxiety day for us,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;We wanted to win, but we got overly excited and didn’t settle down quick enough.&uot;

The Lady Falcons gave up three runs in the top of the first when Alyssa Bradshaw had a sacrifice fly, Haley Fail scored on a wild pitch and Rachel Reynolds scored on an error to give the Lady Saints a 3-0 lead.

Bertie responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the same inning.

A pitch hit Abby Parker before senior Jordan Mizelle laced a single to right that sent Parker to third. Both runners scored on a Jessica Adams two-RBI double that cut the lead to 3-2.

Southern Wayne, however, plated two more in the top of the second when Fail had an RBI-single and scored on a pop-out to the catcher, pushing the lead to 5-2.

The Lady Saints added three in the fourth to grab an 8-2 advantage.

Bertie threatened in the bottom of the sixth when Mizelle singled with two outs before Adams drew a walk. A strikeout ended the threat.

Southern Wayne added three in the top of the seventh to secure the 11-2 win.

Mizelle led the way for Bertie with a 2-for-2 day at the plate. Adams and Brittany Hoggard had Bertie’s other hits.

&uot;We hit the ball pretty well, it just would not fall for us,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;It seemed like every time we made good contact, it was right at somebody.

&uot;We had an excellent season and I’m proud of what we accomplished,&uot; she added. &uot;I will miss my seniors because they are very special to me, but we have a good nucleus returning and I’m looking forward to next year.&uot;