WINDSOR – Caroline White pitched a two-hit gem.

The Bertie High School junior then added a three-run triple to lead the Lady Falcons to an 8-2 victory over RIchlands in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A softball playoffs.

“Caroline was on her A-plus game today,” Bertie skipper Jackie Copeland said. “Her change-up was working and she was very focused today.”

Bertie got on the board early, pushing across three marks in the bottom of the first frame.

Brook Bowen walked and went to second on a Whitney Castelloe sacrifice. Bowen then stole third. White drew a walk and stole second to put runners on second and third.

Senior Sandi Todd then laced an RBI-single to left, scoring Bowen before Tori Dunlow singled to load the bases.

Brandice Cullipher drew a free pass to force in White and then Todd scored when Kelsey White was hit by a pitch to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the second, Richlands put a runner on third with one out. Bertie shortstop Haley Williams then caught a line drive and threw to third to double off the runner, ending the inning.

Bertie put three more runs on the board in the home half of the fourth frame.

Ashley Harmon singled to left before Bowen was hit by a pitch and Castelloe walked to load the bases. Caroline White then delivered a bases-clearing triple to push the Lady Falcons ahead 6-0.

Bertie added two more in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Castelloe singled to left and went to third when Caroline White doubled to right-centerfield. Todd walked to load the bases. Dunlow then ripped a two-run single to left as Bertie took an 8-0 advantage.

Richlands scored two runs in the top of the seventh, both coming on a Miranda Jarmon single. White, however, struck out the final two batters to preserve the win.

White tossed all seven innings for the win allowing two runs on two hits and striking out 12.

The Lady Falcons recorded eight hits in the game and were led by White’s two hits and three RBIs. Dunlow had two hits and a pair of RBIs.

“We hit the ball well today,” Copeland said. “We were able to beat the same pitcher that beat us in the state playoffs last year.

“We won as a team and we’re happy to advance to the next round,” she closed.

The Lady Falcons (17-4) will be in action Friday at Swansboro where they will take on East Central Conference number one seed Swansboro (18-6). First pitch is set for 7 p.m.