Kinston Post 43’s Katelynn Daughety hits a 2-run single in the first game of a doubleheader against Jacksonville Post 265 in American Legion play Thursday at Barnet Park. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Kinston Post 43 may have started shaky at home Thursday, but the team finished with a bang.

The softball team dropped its first game of the season in American League play 6-4 to Jacksonville Post 265, but rebounded in the second contest 3-0. Kinston Post 43 coach Jody Turner said it took some time to get going in the team’s first home games after a 4-0 start to the season, but the players adjusted.

“They were nervous (and) a little tight,” Turner said. “It kind of snowballed on them in the beginning, and after that they finally settled down but it was too little, too late. They took that comfort and confidence into the second game and took care of business.”

In the first game, Katelynn Daughety had an early 2-run single for Post 43, but Post 265 took a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth and final inning. Daughety and Logan Lucas would pick up RBI singles in the fifth and Kinston Post 43 would load up the bases with two outs, but couldn’t finish the job.

In the second game, Daughety would pick up another RBI single in the first inning after an errant throw gave Kinston Post 43 its first run. One inning later, Megan Aldridge’s run-scoring single put the team ahead 3-0.

“We weren’t mentally into the game early,” Daughety said. “Then, we saw the pitcher and learned how to hit her after the first couple of times, which helped us.”

From there, Rebekah Howard took over as the Jacksonville Post 265 offense was stymied.

“I was working my pitches, and getting them to chase was a main thing,” Howard said. “I also had a great defense behind me and that definitely helped.”

Kinston Post 43 won’t play again until July 9 when the team hosts Wilmington Post 545 at 7 p.m. at Barnet Park.