ROANOKE RAPIDS – Senior Adam Baldwin joined with junior Dexter Carter to pitch a two-hitter as Hertford County beat Roanoke Rapids 4-3 Tuesday afternoon.

The Bears opened the scoring with one run in the top of the first frame. Clay Thompson singled and then went to third when Andy Thompson did the same.

A. Thompson’s attempt to steal second drew a throw from the catcher, which sailed into centerfield allowing C. Thompson to score and giving the Bears a 1-0 advantage.

HCHS added a run in the top of the fourth on a solo homer off the bat of Carter, which sailed over the leftfield fence.

The Yellow Jackets scratched in the home half of the same inning on an RBI single from Robbie Myrick.

The Bears, leading 2-1, added two scores in the top of the fifth.

A. Thompson reached on an error and went to third on a Baldwin double to right-centerfield. A. Thompson then scored on a William Barmer sacrifice fly. Baldwin came around on a Carter RBI-single to center, which gave the Bears a 4-1 lead after five innings.

Roanoke Rapids scored two in the bottom of the sixth inning to trim the HCHS lead to 4-3. Rock Edwards had an RBI-groundout and scored one run on a wild pitch.

Baldwin went six innings for the win allowing three runs on two hits. He had six strikeouts to even his record at 1-1. Carter pitched one inning for his second save, allowing no runs and no hits while striking out one.

Carter had two hits and two RBI’s to lead the Bears offensively while Josh Lane also added a pair of hits for HCHS.

&uot;We had a great effort from our two pitchers – Baldwin and Carter,&uot; first-year coach Matthew Melton said. &uot;We played good defense and got timely hits. Barmer was good behind the plate and Andy Thompson moved up runners for us.&uot;

The Bears, 2-1 on the season, will travel to Greensville County, Virginia today (Thursday) for a 4 p.m. contest before hitting the road to Northampton County High School – East on Friday. Game time for that outing is also 4 p.m.

HCHS’ home opener will be Monday when they host Pamlico at 4:30 p.m.