Post 43 softball prepares for playoffs

By Junious Smith III

Kinston Post 43 softball is guaranteed at least one home game for the playoffs.

The team received a No. 2 seed and will be in action Tuesday to host Wayne County Post 11 at 7 p.m. at Barnet Park in the Area 4 championships. The winner of the game advances to the finals Wednesday, with the game at the higher seed.

Overall, the tournament is single-elimination with seven-inning games. The winner of the Area 4 championship advances to Regionals in Shelby, scheduled for Aug. 12-14.

Kinston Post 43 had the same regular-season record as top-seed Cumberland Post 32 at 10-2, but lost a coin flip. If Cumberland Post 32 defeats the winner of Monday's play-in game between Wilmington Post 545 and Jacksonville Post 265, Wednesday's Finals will be played at South View High School in Fayetteville.

Kinston Post 43 coach Jody Turner said the seeding may give his team additional motivation, but the focus is playing its best in the postseason.

"We have to play ball no matter what," Turner said. "We've earned everything we've gotten all year, and we'll have to see how this plays out."

Turner said Kinston Post 43's ability to play well defensively really helped the team in its inaugural campaign.

"Our defense and pitching has been great all year," Turner said. "We have so many great girls who were comfortable playing with each other from the start, so as a coach I stepped out of the way to give them the opportunity to do what they needed to. There was no pressure — I made the lineups and we went from there. I think the relaxed atmosphere helped us play well. Offensively, when we hit the ball, we're a tough team to beat."