WINDSOR – An excellent season came to a close and with it, the end of an era.

Wilson’s James B. Hunt High School edged Bertie High School 3-2 here Friday afternoon, ending the latter’s softball season and also the Falcons more than 20-year existence as a 3-A public high school.

“We made some mental mistakes today and bobbled a few balls that should have been caught,” Bertie skipper Jackie Copeland said. “When we needed hits with runners in scoring position, we just couldn’t quite get them.

“Still, we didn’t quit,” she added. “We went down on the last pitch of the game still battling with a pair of runners on base. I’m proud of this team and this season.”

The teams started out playing excellent defense and, despite giving up a few hits, kept runners from scoring. In the bottom of the second stanza, Sandi Todd singled to center and advanced to second on a groundout by Whitney Castelloe. She was left stranded by a strikeout.

The Warriors got a runner to second after a base hit in the third frame, but couldn’t’ get the run in either.

In the bottom of the third, Jody Mizelle reached on an error and then moved all the way to third on a perfect sacrifice bunt by senior Courtney Dunlow. Mizelle then scored on a base hit by Caroline White to give the Lady Falcons a 1-0 lead.

A pair of walks and a double gave Hunt two runs in the top of the fourth frame as they grabbed the advantage for good.

In the bottom of the fourth, Castelloe singled, but was left stranded by a strikeout.

In the top of the fifth, Hunt scored their final run when a single and three-base error gave them a 3-1 lead.

Bertie nearly got on the board again in the bottom of the sixth stanza. Terri-Lynn Smith singled and went to second when Chelsea Dunlow reached via an error. One runner was picked off and two groundouts ended the threat.

The Lady Falcons didn’t quit, however, just as their coach said.

Castelloe singled to start the seventh inning. She was erased at second on a fielder’s choice that was the second out of the inning. Mizelle, however reached on the fielder’s choice and then went to second when Courtney Dunlow drew a walk.

White singled to right field, scoring White and gave the Lady Falcons the tying run in scoring position. After a narrowly foul ball was recorded as strike two, the third strike was called ending the contest with Hunt taking the 3-2 win.