AYDEN – South Lenoir scored five runs in the first inning and held off Bertie 11-6 in the opening round of the Ray Avery Eastern Tournament here Saturday.

The baseball Falcons rallied to get back in the contest, but couldn’t overcome that original deficit.

The Falcons, trailing 5-0, scored their first two runs in the second inning.

Hunter Mizelle singled before Aaron Hoggard and O.J. Dobbin drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.

Ethan Boller drew a free pass with the bases loaded to score the first run and Scott Hoggard forced in the second run on an RBI-fielder’s choice. That left the Falcons trailing 5-2.

South Lenior extended their advantage with four runs in the bottom of the third to make it 9-2.

BHS added a run in the top of the fourth when Dobbin walked, stole second went to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-3.

The Blue Devils plated their final two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take an 11-3 advantage.

Bertie scored two in the top of the sixth stanza.

Hoggard walked and scored on a Dobbin RBI-triple. Dobbin then came home on a passed ball to make it 11-5.

The final run for the Falcons came in the top of the seventh. Jed Hughes walked and scored on Mizelle’s RBI-double.

Lance Thomas suffered the loss after pitching the first two and one-third innings. Hughes tossed the final three and two-thirds.

&uot;We came out flat,&uot; ninth-year BHS coach Randy Whitaker said. &uot;South Lenoir hit the ball and took the early lead.

&uot;We battled the whole game,&uot; he added. &uot;We are not making routine plays and that is killing us.&uot;

Bertie dropped to 5-11 with the loss. They met Williamston yesterday (Monday) in a game that finished after deadline.