AHOSKIE – Hertford County scored 20 runs in the first inning and beat Northampton County High School – East 21-1 in the baseball season opener here Tuesday afternoon.

The Bears opened the scoring by plating 20 runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Tyler Burden led off with a single, stole second and went to third on an error. Marvin Harrell then walked and stole second. Burden scored on a balk to make it 1-0.

Harrell moved to third on the balk and then scored on an Ackerman Grace RBI-single to center. Grace moved to second on a wild pitch before Ryan Weaver drew a walk.

Grace scored on a Brock Merritt RBI-single to center and then Bobby Merritt walked to load the bases.

Weaver came around to score on an Eric Ortiz single to center and then Brock Merritt scored when Brandon Staton walked with the bases loaded.

Burden cleared the bases with a three-run triple to center, but they didn’t stay that way as Harrell walked.

Burden scored on a Grace RBI-single to left and then both runners advanced on the throw home.

Harrell and Grace were plated by a two-run double from Weaver that made it 11-0.

Brock Merritt singled to left and then Weaver scored when Bobby Merritt did the same. Brock Merritt found home plate on an Ortiz single and then both Bobby Merritt and Ortiz scored on a Staton two-run double.

Staton came around to score on a Burden double and then Harrell drew a walk. Grace delivered an RBI-double and then Weaver had an RBI single.

Brock Merritt and Bobby Merritt each had RBI-singles to finish the scoring with the Bears ahead 20-0.

In the top of the second inning, Jeffrey Cannon and Fisher McInville had singles for the Rams, but both were left on base.

Northampton-East then scored its only run in the top of the third inning.

Dean Etheridge singled, Jason Odum and Nick Johnson walked and loaded the bases. Matt Holloman then drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 20-1.

The final run of the game came in the bottom of the third inning.

Brandon Terry was hit by a pitch before Clay Barmer reach on a fielder’s choice. Barmer took third on a Jahleel Fleetwood double to center and scored on a Darius Macklin RBI-single.

The game ended after three innings.

Grace pitched two innings for the Bears and allowed no runs on two hits. He struck out five. Tucker Warren pitched one inning, allowing a single run on a hit and three strikeouts.

The Bears recorded 18 hits during the afternoon led by Burden who had three hits and four RBIs. Grace added three hits and three RBIs while Brock Merritt had a trio of hits to go with two RBIs. Weaver, Ortiz and Bobby Merritt had two hits each.

The Bears are now 1-0 for the season and will host Gates County at 5 p.m. Friday. They will then welcome KIPP Pride at 5 p.m. Monday.