AHOSKIE – Heath Britt tossed a three-hit shutout Tuesday night.

That sterling pitching performance and an offense that pounded out 13 hits was plenty for Hertford County to handle Northeastern 10-0.

The Bears wasted little time getting on the board, scoring a run in the third inning.

Corey Saunders was hit by a pitch and went to second on a wild pickoff throw. Saunders then scored on a Michael Burton RBI-double to center, giving HCHS a 1-0 lead.

The Bears blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth, plating six runs to take a 7-0 lead.

Andre Lyles singled to left and went to second on an error. He advanced to third on an Edward Joyner single to right. Latrael Ashe was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Lyles then scored on a Roger Harrison single. Saunders grounded into a fielder’s choice that erased Joyner at home.

The scoring started again, however, when Ryan Matthews singled to center, scoring both Ashe and Harrison. Saunders held at third on the play and Matthews stole second to put runners on second and third.

Both of those runners scored when Burton singled to center. Burton went to second on an error on the play. Britt was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second.

Burton scored on a Lyles RBI-single. Joyner singled in the next at-bat, but Britt was thrown out at home, leaving the score 7-0.

The Bears scored their final three runs in the bottom of the fifth frame.

Ashe singled to center, but was erased at second when Harrison hit into a fielder’s choice.

Harrison stole second and advanced to third on a Saunders single to center. He scored on a Matthews RBI-single to right.

Saunders came home on a Burton RBI-single on the infield.

Britt was issued an intentional walk to load the bases, but Matthews scored on a wild pitch to end the game.

Britt went five innings on the mound, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out six. It was his third pitching victory of the season.

The Bears’ 13 hits were led by Burton with three hits and four RBIs. Matthews also had three hits and added three RBIs.

Lyles and Joyner had two hits each while Ashe, Harrison and Saunders added one hit each.

“The guys played a great ball game,” HCHS Head Coach Chris Towell said. “We put the bat on the ball and made them make the plays.

“We are getting better,” he added. “Heath pitched a great game for us tonight.”

Hertford County improved to 7-11 overall and 5-3 in the Northeastern Coastal Conference. They will host Edenton at 7 p.m. Friday.