WINDSOR – Bertie High scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back from there, as the Falcons went on to top rival Hertford County in Northeastern Coastal Conference baseball action 8-1 here Tuesday night.

Trenton White and Alden Cottle combined to hold the Bears to a single run and six hits in the Falcons win while Brandon Roberson drove in three runs.

“I could not be prouder of this group of kids,” said a beaming Bertie coach Bobby Harmon.  “They’ve dealt with a lot of adversity the last couple of days and for them to go out and perform like this – well, that’s why you coach.”

Bertie opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Cottle and White had back-to-back singles and when Ethan Hughson reached on an error, the Falcons had loaded the bases. Roberson was hit by a pitch for the game’s first RBI, scoring Cottle. White then scored on a Jared Speight groundout, and Hughson scored on James Brooks’ RBI single to centerfield. The Falcons led it 3-0 after one inning of baseball.

Hertford County scored its only run of the game in the top of the third inning when Kole Liverman singled to centerfield. He then stole second base and went to third on an error on the same play. Tyrek Beverly then delivered an RBI single to center to score Liverman, leaving the Bears trailing by a pair, 3-1 after three.

Bertie added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth as Zack Castelloe led off and reached first on an error. Pinch-runner Isom Collins then went to third on back-to-back sacrifice bunts by Chris Pierce and Nathaniel Cheeseboro, and Isom scored when Cottle reached on an outfield error. After White doubled to right field and Hughson walked to load the bases, Roberson smashed a two-run double into the gap in right centerfield, and Bertie had build a 6-1 lead after four complete.

The Falcons’ final two runs came in the bottom of the sixth when Cottle got a one-out double to left center and scored on a White RBI single to centerfield. White went to second on a wild pitch, stole third, and scored on an error on the same play. Bertie now had an 8-1 bulge after six, and that held up for the final score.

White pitched six innings for the win, allowing a run on six hits and he had five strikeouts. Cottle came on to pitch a scoreless seventh. Liverman went six innings for the Bears and was tagged with the loss.

Bertie had nine hits, three by White, while Cottle and Roberson had two hits each.   Hughson and Brooks had the other safeties for the Falcons. Hertford County had six hits: two by Chuck Lee, while Beverly, Edgar Mendoza, Edward Bradley and Liverman had one each.

“I thought Trenton and Alden spotted the ball very well. Brandon Roberson is really seeing the ball well and my little freshman catcher Zack Castelloe is really developing behind the plate,” said Harmon. “We had some guys really step up for us tonight and I am a really proud coach.”

Bertie raises its record to 3-4 in conference and 3-11 overall. Hertford County is also 3-11 overall, but 1-6 in league play.   Both teams are back at it against each other again tonight (Thursday) in Ahoskie at 7 p.m. as part of Brandon Warren Night, honoring the former Hertford County player who is battling cancer.