ELIZABETH CITY – Number two was just that Tuesday night. The second best team – on the field.

Bertie High School knocked off Northeastern Coastal Conference leader and number two ranked Northeastern High School 8-3 in softball action.

Sophomore right-hander Megan Cowan went seven innings, giving up only four hits while striking out eight to lead the Lady Falcons to their second league victory in five starts.

&uot;Megan was smart with her pitches against some good hitters,&uot; veteran BHS skipper Jackie Copeland said. &uot;She never got down on herself and she kept a positive attitude.&uot;

Bertie plated one in the first to take the early lead and then added two in both the third and fourth innings. The Lady Falcons eventually led 8-0 before the Lady Eagles countered with three in the home half of the seventh.

Offensively, senior Jordan Mizelle led BHS. She checked in at 3-for-4 on the day with two RBIs. Mizelle’s impact was bigger than her hitting, however.

&uot;Jordan showed great senior leadership last night,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;We got from her exactly what we needed.&uot;

Cowan was 3-for-5 with an RBI while Carla Cooper (2-for-4), Allyson Hoggard (1-for-2), Anna Parker (1-for4) and Brittany Hoggard (1-for-4) also added RBIs for Bertie.

Beverly White had two hits on the afternoon for the Lady Falcons while Holly Cowand and Jessica Adams added a hit each.

After connecting on her RBI-hit, Hoggard went down due to an injury that will cost her about a week on the field. The loss was a tough one for the Falcons, but also provided a pair of bright spots.

&uot;Losing Allyson was tough for us,&uot; Copeland said. &uot;She is a key hitter in our lineup, but I was really pleased with freshman Holly Cowand’s play in the outfield and Abby Parker’s ability to adjust to third base when Allyson went down.&uot;

The win boosted Bertie’s overall record to 4-6 as they head into Friday’s contest at Hertford County.

&uot;We’ve come a long way this year because we’ve come together as a team,&uot; Copeland added. &uot;Last night they were all MVPs in my book. They’ve worked hard every day at practice and learned that softball is not just about the physical part of the game, but dealing as a team with the mental aspects of the game.

&uot;If we keep working, and I believe we will, we can have a successful season,&uot; she closed.