AHOSKIE – Post 43 built an 8-2 lead and held on for a 9-6 Senior American Legion baseball victory here Saturday night.

The Kinston club scored four runs in the first three innings to down Ahoskie Post 102.

Kinston scored two runs in the top of the first frame and then plated two more in the top of the third to grab a 4-0 advantage.

Ahoskie scored two in the bottom of the third to slice the lead in half.

Lance Thomas singled to left and stole second before advancing to third on a Dusty Todd single to centerfield. Todd stole second, setting up the stage for a two-run single off the bat of Heath Britt.

Kinston added a run in the fourth and three in the fifth to extend their lead to 8-2 after four and one-half innings.

Ahoskie scored a run in the bottom of the fifth on a Jacob Bowen solo homer to left, trimming the lead to 8-3.

Post 102 scored three in the bottom of the sixth to get within two (8-6).

Brandon Matthews tripled to right to get the rally going. He scored on a William Barmer RBI-double to centerfield. Ben Bright walked.

Jacob Harrell’s RBI-double scored Barmer and sent Bright to third. Bright then scored on a Todd RBI-groundout.

Kinston added an insurance run in the top of the eighth.

Ahoskie left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, but Kinston held on to get the win.

Brit pitched four innings for the loss. Bright pitched the final five innings.

Ahoskie had 12 hits led by Judd Whitehead, Todd, Barmer and Matthews with two each.

&uot;Ben Bright came in and pitched well in relief to keep us in the game,&uot; Post 102 coach Randy Whitaker said. &uot;We just didn’t get the key hits tonight. We fell behind, but we battled back.&uot;

Ahoskie is 3-13 on the season and will host Edenton tonight at Bertie High School. That game will start at 7 p.m.

Post 102 will then host Southern Pitt Wednesday night in Ahoskie. Game time is also 7 p.m.