After recording just one victory last season, Ahoskie Post 102 officials were thinking about shutting down the junior program.

They didn’t and it paid off.

This year, the junior team responded with a successful season, finishing 9-8 overall and tied with Northern Nash for the final playoff spot.

Friday night Post 102 shut down Post 160 and wrapped up the season on Saturday by beating Pinetops Post 316.

This season included victories over perennial powerhouses such as North Lenoir, Wilson, Rocky Mount and South Central, who were a combined 63-21 on the season.

On Friday, Post 102 beat South Central 5-1 behind John Hunter’s third victory on the mound.

The local squad got all five marks in the first inning.

With one out, Travis Ellis reached on a misplayed fly ball. Zeek Williams plated Ellis with an RBI-double.

Hunter walked and Jake Dunlow singled on the infield to load the bases.

P.J. Schwab plated Williams on a fielder’s choice and Edward Joyner followed with an RBI-single that scored Hunter.

Will Doughtie made the score 5-0 when he slapped a double that scored both Schwab and Joyner.

That was all Hunter would need as he allowed just four hits, no earned runs and struck out two.

“John had them off balance all night,” Head Coach David Ellis said. “We knew we could play with South Central. We jumped on them early and showed that crowd Ahoskie can play baseball.”

As in 12 previous games this year, Ahoskie scored in the first inning Saturday and went on to a 9-3 win over Edgecombe Post 316.

Ashe led off with a walk and Williams stepped in with a single. Hunter then delivered a two-run double. He moved to third on a Dunlow groundout and scored when Schwab laced another double to make it 3-0.

After Post 316 scored a run in the bottom of the third, Ahoskie responded with five marks in the fourth inning.

Joyner led off with a walk before Doughtie’s double sent him to third. Grayson Toms singled home Joyner before Ashe drew a walk that loaded the bases.

Ellis greeted a new pitcher with an RBI-single driving in Doughtie and Williams continued the hit parade driving in Toms. Ashe was thrown out at home, however.

Ellis scored on a wild pitch and Dunlow plated Williams with a sacrifice fly that put Ahoskie ahead 8-1.

Ahoskie added another run and Post 316 added two, but the local team went on to an easy win.

Dunlow picked up the victory, pitching seven innings and allowing five hits while striking out four.