PINETOWN — It was the top of the fifth in a 2-2 game. Dare County Post 26 had the bases loaded with two outs. Catcher Cooper Anderson dropped what most believed to be a third strike. Players are conditioned not to give up on the play, so Dare County’s runner on third waltzed his way home.

Anderson recovered and stepped on home plate for what should have been the final out of the inning. He even tagged the runner for good measure. The plate umpire claimed he didn’t call a third strike and gave Dare County the run. Beaufort County Post 15’s coaches appealed the call, asking for a second opinion from the umpire in the field.

It was upheld.

Pitcher Austin Roscoe fanned the next batter to get out of the inning, but the visitors had already scored what held up as the game-winning run. Both sides entered the game with one loss in conference, so the win gave Dare County firms hold of first place in the league.

“It was confusing. We didn’t know if he called a strike,” coach Glenn Marsh said. “It was unclear what was going on. The coaches were unclear. It was a tough break that just didn’t go our way.”

Dare County’s pitching went above and beyond in preserving the one-run lead. The visiting pitcher struck out nine straight Pirate batters, spanning from the fourth to the sixth inning. The Pirates tried to use their anger after the botched call to fuel a comeback. However, top-notch pitching combined with being overly aggressive ended up backfiring.

“He pitched very well,” Marsh said. “We knew who they were going to throw. He is their ace. All season, I think we’ve gotten just about everybody’s ace. He did pitch a very good game.

“I thought our guys pitched very well, too. Austin Roscoe did a very good job. I’m very proud of him. He got out of a couple situations with runners on base. Our defense (Sunday), for the most part, did a great job. They made a lot of plays behind him.”

The story may have been different last season. Beaufort County may not have warranted Dare County throwing its ace. After winning the conference last year, the Pirates know they are now on everyone’s radar.

“I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Marsh said. “When you win the regular season last year, we’ve got a bull’s eye on our back. That’s OK. I’m very proud of our effort.”

Beaufort County played catch up all afternoon on Sunday. Dare County drew first blood in the top of the second on an RBI single to right centerfield.

The Pirates quickly leveled the score in the bottom of the frame. Anderson drilled a one-out double to the gap in left centerfield. Grant Talbot was put on to run for Anderson. On a hit-and-run, Talbot knotted the game at one apiece thanks to Tyler Harrell’s base knock.

Dare County pulled ahead again in the top of the third by scoring on an error. The Pirates, once again, responded quickly. With runners on the corners, they caught the visitors off guard. Parker Boyd attempted to steal second and, as soon as Dare County’s pitcher hesitated, Hunter Sparks took off for home.

Roscoe kept the Pirates in the game as he effectively rolled through six innings on the mound. However, Beaufort County’s offense was stifled at the plate time and time again. Cody Godley took over for Roscoe in the top of the seventh and induced three consecutive groundouts, giving his team a chance to tie the game or walk off.

Anderson led off the bottom of the seventh by drawing a walk. It was the Pirates’ first baserunner since the third. The comeback attempt was smothered as he was picked off at second and two Pirates struck out.