Two of the area’s top softball teams went at it and New Bedford saw its season-opening, four-game winning streak come to an end with a tight, 3-2 loss to visiting Apponequet Regional. The Whalers fell to 4-1 with the loss, while Apponequet improved to 3-1.

Apponequet sophomore pitcher, Lauren Bernaiche out-dueled New Bedford’s standout senior Lilly Gray to earn the win. Bernaiche struck out 10 batters in the contest, while allowing six hits. Gray was similarly impressive, also striking out 10, while yield five hits.

The Whalers fell behind 2-0 in the fourth when Bernaiche singled and Laker freshman Christina Magnett blasted a two-run homer. In the bottom of the frame, a bases-loaded walk allowed the Whalers to cut its deficit in half but Apponequet similarly earned that back on a bases loaded walk of its own in the sixth. New Bedford made it 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth when Jenna Nogueira’s sacrifice bunt plated a run but that would be all for the Whalers, who stranded 10 baserunners in the game.