WINDSOR – Junior Hunter Mizelle gave everything he had Friday night.

The left-hander tossed over five innings and threw more than 100 pitches in an effort to keep Northeastern Coastal Conference leader Currituck off balance.

The Falcons, however, gave up five runs in the seventh inning and went on to win 9-3.

“We played well Friday night,” Bertie baseball boss Randy Whitaker said. “It was 4-3 going into the seventh and we just didn’t make the plays to keep it there and give ourselves a chance to win.

“I preach it all the time: we’ve got to keep it close and give ourselves a chance,” he added. “Currituck’s a very good team and I was proud of them for keeping us close right up until the seventh.”

Justin Woodward hit a two-run homer in the first inning to pace Currituck to an early 3-0 lead, but the Falcons battled back quickly.

In the second inning, the Falcons plated three of their own to deadlock the score.

Scott Hoggard got the inning started with a single to left before freshman Zeek Williams was hit by a pitch. Mizelle then hit one down the right-field line to score Hoggard and send Williams to third.

Williams scored when Charlie Castelloe reached on an error to make it 3-2. Brent Bowen walked to load the bases before O.J. Dobbin reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Bryce Cullipher (a courtesy runner for Mizelle).

The game stayed deadlocked until the sixth inning when the Knights took the lead 4-3.

Mizelle came out of the contest and was replaced by Bowen, who tossed the final inning and two-thirds. He allowed five runs on five hits while Bertie committed two errors behind him defensively.

Mizelle suffered the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out six.

The Falcons had six hits in the contest, all coming from different batters. P.J. Schwab, Aaron Hoggard, Scott Hoggard, Bo Ledford, Cullipher and Mizelle each had a hit.

Bertie dropped to 5-6 overall and 1-3 in the Northeastern Coastal Conference with the loss. They will host Edenton at 7 p.m. today (Tuesday).