Kinston Rallies Past Wayne

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First Game Season Totals Kinston Box
Kinston-This was a tough one to swallow.

Wayne County Post 11 took what appeared to be a solid three-run lead into the eighth inning against Kinston Post 43 Saturday night. Eric DuBose had more than held his own against Mount Olive College freshman Carter Capps, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven. But it all went for naught.

Kinston used small ball to and a big hit by Trey Beamon to rally past Wayne 4-3 and gain a rare victory over the Area One East powerhouse. The loss dropped Wayne to 1-1 overall and was the opener in league play. The two teams will meet again Tuesday at Mount Olive College.

DuBose gave up a hit in the first and second innings, and Kinston placed only two runners in scoring position the rest of the way. While he couldn't match Capps' fastball or 11 strikeouts, his well-crafted outing put Post 11 on the verge of a win.

It all fell apart in the eighth. Michael Douglas took over after DuBose passed the hundred-pitch mark, and he immediately ran into trouble. Everett Charlton led off by reaching on an infield hit behind second. Dejuan Gray bunted safely down the third base line to bring the tying run to the plate.

Pookie Clark swung at and fouled off the first pitch before bunting toward third. The third baseman hung back to cover the bag, then charged in too late to make the play. So, the bases were loaded without a ball being hit out of the infield.

Douglas got ahead of Beamon 0-2 but couldn't put him away. Beamon drilled a 2-2 breaking pitch to center to tie it. He went to third on a grounder and scored on Mike Wetherington's ground ball single to right. Capps allowed a hit in the ninth but held on for the complete game.

Wayne scored against the hard throwing Capps in the first. Matt Neal walked with one out, stole second and scored on a line-drive single to left by Scott Holloman.

The other Post 11 runs came in the seventh to give DuBose some breathing room. Nick McGee singled to right and advanced to second on a fielding error. Cody Davis bunted him to third, and Kevin Wise's ground out brought him home.

Tyler Edwards singled to right and went to third on a hit and run single by Neal. Edwards scored on a passed ball.

Wayne put the first two batters on base in the fourth but a double play and strikeout snuffed out the threat.