ROPER – Bertie Middle School dropped a 10-9 softball decision to Washington County Union here Monday.

The Phoenix got off to a slow start which allowed Washington to take a 4-1 lead after the first inning.

The Beavers would get more offense and Bertie committed three errors to allow the four runs.

In the second inning, Lauren Dunlow blasted a triple and scored. Keyonta Green laid down a bunt for Bertie Middle and beat it out. Ashley Burkett walked and both Green and Burkett scored after Wendy Todd and Ashley Harmon delivered back-to-back singles.

In the third frame, Dunlow got hit by a pitch and Chelsea Meldick delivered an RBI to close the gap to 9-4.

Todd and Harmon both scored two more runs in the fourth after each of them had doubles, but the Beavers scored a run in the sixth to give them 10 runs.

The Phoenix didn’t go down without a fight. Courtney Jernigan singled and Dunlow stepped up with a double to send her home. Dunlow stole third and scored to get BMS within 10-9, but that was as close as they got.

Dunlow paced the team at the plate going 2-for-3 with a double and triple while Todd was 3-for-4 and Harmon was 2-for-4. Burkett and Meldick were each 1-for-3 and Jernigan was 1-for-4.

“Nerves got us early,” said BMS Head Coach Grantley Mizelle. “We made too many mistakes in the first two innings and allowed them to jump on us.

“I am proud of how we battled back and gave them a fight, but we must eliminate the mistakes,” Mizelle closed.

BMS dropped to 0-1 for the season.