JACKSON – Kole Liverman and Paul Tilley combined to pitch a five-hit shutout, 9-0, here Friday afternoon as Hertford County downed Northampton County for the second time in three days.

After three scoreless innings, the Bears opened the scoring with a run in the top of the fourth when Trent Munford singled, went to second on an error, and scored as Tilley reached on an error. Northampton failed to match and the Bears led it 1-0 after four complete innings.

Hertford County broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning when they sent six runs across the plate. Evan Lassiter got things going with a double and scored on Trevor Lee’s RBI single to make it 2-0, Bears. Chuck Lee and Munford then drew back-to-back base-on-balls to load the sacks before two more walks produced two more runs and a 4-0 Hertford County lead. Liverman then slapped an RBI single while another run scored on an error to make it 6-0. The Bears plated their final run on Gabriel Correa’s RBI single and Northampton found itself staring up from a 7-0 hole after five innings.

Hertford County’s final two runs came in the top of the seventh when Munford walked; Tilley and Edgar Mendoza reached after both were hit by pitches. With the bases loaded Noah Parker was hit by a pitch for an RBI and Lassiter’s walk meant another run. The Bears led 9-0 as the Jaguars faced their last chance to get on the scoreboard, but thanks to Tilley slamming the door on the shutout, Hertford County had picked up two wins on the week.

Liverman pitched five innings for the win, allowing no runs, four hits and he had three strikeouts. Tilley pitched the final two scoreless innings allowing one hit and getting four strikeouts.

The Bears had six hits, spread among Munford, Lassiter, Liverman, Correa, Chuck Lee, and Trevor Lee, all with one hit each.

Hertford County raised its record to 2-4 and open Northeastern Coastal Conference play tonight (Tuesday) at home against First Flight at 7 p.m. They will remain at home for a game with Bear Grass on Wednesday in a non-conference contest.