CURRITUCK – Brandon Warren pitched a two-hitter and added a two-run homer as Hertford County High School defeated league rival Currituck 5-1 here Tuesday.

The Northeastern Coastal Conference win boosted the Bears to 5-1 in the league and 12-4 overall.

The Bears opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the first frame.

Tyler Burden and Daniel Merritt each drew walks. Burden scored when Warren reached on a two-base error that sent Merritt to third.

Both Merritt and Warren came home on a Tyler Pryor two-run single to left.

Montario Hunter and Petey Boone drew walks to load the bases, but a groundout ended the threat with HCHS ahead 3-0.

Hertford County added another two runs in the top of the second stanza.

Merritt walked before Warren hit his fifth homerun of the season to give the Bears a 5-0 advantage.

HCHS had its final threat in the top of the third inning. Mitchell Godwin and Boone had singles, but a pop-out and a groundout ended the frame.

The Knights rallied for a run in the bottom of the sixth, but Warren ended any hopes of a comeback by striking out the side in the seventh to secure his sixth victory of the season.

Overall, Warren tossed seven innings and allowed one run on two hits while striking out 14.

The Bears had five hits.

“Brandon did a great job on the mound,” said HCHS baseball boss Chris Towell. “He threw strikes and we made the plays behind him.

“We did a good job of taking advantage of their walks early in the game to take the lead,” he added.

The Bears travel to Edenton on Friday for another conference matchup. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.