WINDSOR – Let’s call it ‘sportsman-like conduct’ — all the way around.

Bertie High’s softball team honored a trio of players – Jody Mizelle, TerriLynn Smith, and Andrea Dunlow – with Senior Day prior to Wednesday’s home finale against Hertford County.

The team then went out and shut-out the Lady Bears, 17-0, and capped it off with a loud and wild post-game celebration that would put dumping the Gatorade bucket to shame: pelting each other, the coaches and supporters, with eggs & shaving cream.

“We had a blast,” laughed Bertie Head Coach Jackie Copeland, covered from head to toe in the gooey muck.

“I do this every year, but this year was the worst,” she said wiping shaving cream from her eyes. “Every team is different and it shows I really love my players and the love we have for each other.”

Around her players were squealing, laughing and playfully wrestling with each other; basically having a lot of fun as spectators gazed on with looks that ranged from shaking their heads with wonder to chuckles of amusement.

But there’s still work to be done. Bertie will start the post-season next week as the number-three seed from the Northeastern Coastal Conference 2-A ranks with a playoff opener on the road.

As for Wednesday’s game, Dunlow got the win on the mound, tossing a no-hitter from the circle in a contest shortened to just three innings. She was also 3-for-3 at the plate and drove in three runs.

Smith, Sandi Todd and Haley Williams also drove in three runs each while Brook Bowen had four RBIs. Bowen, Williams and Mizelle each scored three runs.

Prior to the game a Hertford County player suffered an injury during warm-ups, so Head Coach Darryl McCallop accompanied her to the hospital as a precaution

When the game began Bertie sent 16 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, but Copeland kept it a sporting contest by not deliberately driving up the score. Mizelle and Bowen both walked and a Williams single plated the first run.

Two batters later Smith drove in Bowen, Todd delivered Williams on a fielder’s choice, and Dunlow then cleared the bases with a two-run double. Tori Dunlow and Mizelle then walked and Bowen brought both home with her second hit, a triple to the left center-field fence.

Caroline White delivered another run before Smith’s base hit plated the tenth and final run of the frame.

The second inning was more of the same as Bertie sent nine batters to the plate and seven of them scored. The highlight of the inning a White triple that scored a pair.

Despite a pair of hits in the third and last inning, Bertie didn’t score again but had all they needed and the Lady Falcons had notched their 10th league win of the year.

“Young, inexperienced, and no pitching,” said Lady Bears assistant Amanda Unklesbay, filling in for McCallop. “That pretty much sums up our season.”

Then it was time to bring on the fun for Bertie. Barring a playoff upset, this was their last home game of the season and they made sure with all the frivolity that they could make it memorable.

“Last year it was cake,” said the cream-drenched Copeland, “this year they decided to get me with some of the ingredients. All I can say is that we really had fun.”