By Junious Smith III

MOREHEAD CITY — Kinston Post 43’s softball team will host its inaugural home game with an unblemished record.

After winning Tuesday’s games 6-2 and 1-0 against Morehead City 46 on the road, Kinston Post 43 improved to 4-0 on the year heading into Thursday’s contest against Jacksonville Post 265 at Barnet Park. Kinston Post 43 coach Jody Turner said the team has plenty of great components, which has made the team successful early on.

“I’m a defensive coach and they’ve all done that with excellence,” Turner said. “We have a little work to do on situational hitting, but the defense and pitching has been outstanding.”

Rebekah Howard threw the first game before Logan Lucas composed a shutout on the mound. Sara Beth Stroud highlighted the first game with a 2-run home run, and in the second contest the game’s only run came in the third inning. Summer Mercer’s leadoff double, followed by a bunt from Katelynn Daughety to bring her home.

As Kinston Post 43 hosts a Jacksonville team its defeated twice before, Turner said complacency can’t play a role.

“The main thing is our mental approach,” Turner said. “We can’t think that because we beat them twice we can coast because if we do that, we’ll get our feelings hurt. Jacksonville is a team with good power, speed and pitching, so we have to approach them well. As long as we take care of business and play our game, we should be fine.”

The first pitch in Thursday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.