Kinston Post 43's Peyton Howard threw a complete game in the team's 13-3 win over Wilson Post 13 in Game 1 of the Area 1 East semifinals Tuesday. Photo by William ‘Bud' Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Kinston Post 43's road to the Area 1 East championship was only one game long.

Wilson Post 13 forfeited Wednesday due to injuries and a lack of players. Kinston Post 43 coach Ty Eason said Post 13 was already playing shorthanded in its 13-3 loss Tuesday before another unlucky situation occurred.

"They played with nine guys and had no subs, and late in the game when of their guys was hit in the hand with a ball," Eason said. "It turned out his hand was broken and they couldn't get someone else to fill in. You hate to see it, especially for the kids who have played their tails off all season and can't do anything about this."

Kinston Post 43 is awaiting the winner of Wayne County Post 11 and Pitt County Post 39 for the Area 1 East championship round, but will get a good scrimmage in Thursday.

"We'll be playing Garner Post 116 at Campbell University," Eason said. "They're the top team in the Area 1 West bracket and it's a way for us to stay loose. The biggest thing for us is making sure our pitchers get some work before the championship round, so I'll probably let everyone throw for an inning or two Thursday."

The teams played once this season with Kinston winning 10-9 on June 2 at home. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.