RAMSEUR — The rebuilding process of Washington’s baseball team has taken the next step. The Pam Pack won a playoff game for the first time since a 2-1 win over Hertford in 2009 when it downed Eastern Randolph, 4-0, on Tuesday.

“It was a good win for our program to show the progress we have made, especially after some doubts after our rough start to the season,” coach Kevin Leggett said. The win marked his first in the postseason as Pam Pack coach. “(It is) especially good for the group of seniors who have been waiting a long time for it.”

Washington did what it has seemingly done all year: use timely and opportunistic offense, rely on its improved defense, and get good, solid pitching to defeat the Wildcats.

In a tense game, which is what playoff baseball becomes, the visiting Pam Pack struck for two runs in the top of the fourth. Junior Fred Holscher reached on an error, moved to second behind a walk to senior Logan Little, and came home on a double to right center by junior catcher Cooper Anderson. On the double, Little moved up to third and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by senior Tripp Barfield.

Washington scratched out its final two runs in the top of the sixth on consecutive singles by Anderson, Barfield, and senior Cody Godly and a bases-loaded walk to junior Tyler Harrell. Anderson and Barfield scored in the frame. For the game, the Pam Pack managed only five hits. Junior Chris Sulc collected the remaining hit.

Defensively, Barfield spun a gritty, and effective, six-hit, complete-game shutout. He walked just one Wildcat while striking out three.

The Wildcats’ most severe threat occurred in the bottom of the third when the host team strung together two hits and a fielder’s choice to have runners on first and third with one out.

Barfield induced a soft line drive back up the middle, which he snared, and without hesitation, he doubled up the runner on third base to end the Wildcats threat. Aside from the third inning, the Wildcats could never get any traction against Barfield and the Washington defense, and did not threaten again.

Defense was solid in support of Barfield. This was illustrated in the bottom of the second when second baseman Godly, in a laid out dive, snagged a soft line drive in ESPN-highlight style.

The Pam Pack advances to face a 21-win Edenton team on the road. The game is tentatively scheduled for Saturday.