The Vikings learned on Monday they had earned one of three wildcard spots in this year’s NCHSAA state 2A dual-team playoffs. Kinston (8-4) will travel to Wendell Corinth Holders (12-1) for a first round match at 4 p.m. today.
According to the NCHSAA the berth is the first for Kinston since 2006 and its ninth overall. To coach Michael Moon, the playoff berth wasn’t given to his team, it was earned.
“These guys make coaching a lot of fun. They work hard in practice every day, and they know what it takes to have a successful year,” Moon said. “This wildcard berth is a direct result of that work ethic. They deserve it.”
The Vikings finished third in the Eastern Plains 2A Conference this year behind Greene Central (15-5, 8-2) and conference winner Tarboro (11-1, 10-0), both of which earned automatic bids.
All four of Kinston’s losses in league play came to those two teams, including a tough 5-4 loss to the Rams. But a pair of non-conference wins against North Lenoir gave the Vikings a high enough win percentage to get into the postseason.
The team also had four qualify for this weekend’s 2A Eastern Regionals at Greene Central: Dan Hoang, Koty Wojeski, Julian Quintero and Stan Vanclooster.
The Rams, in the dual-team playoffs for the 20th time, will travel to St. Pauls (8-0) for a first round match at 4 p.m. also.
Ayden-Grifton’s team earned a wildcard in the 1A playoffs. The Chargers (5-8) will travel to Cape Hatteras (0-7) for a first round match today at 4 p.m.
EC3A baseball tournament
The start of the Eastern Carolina 3A Conference baseball tournament has been pushed back a day to Wednesday to allow Erwin Triton and South Johnston to play their final game today in order to set the final regular season standings.
The two teams hadn’t played each other until Friday, with Triton winning 6-5. They were scheduled to play their final game on Monday but weather postponed it to today.
North Lenoir (4-14, 2-10) will travel on Wednesday to that game’s winner, which will earn the No. 2 seed. The Hawks finished last in their final season in the league. They’ll have to win the conference tournament to make the state playoffs.
C.B. Aycock won the regular season title and earned a first-round bye.
EC3A softball tournament
While the EC3A’s baseball picture is a bit convoluted, its softball tournament is set and will begin today as scheduled.
North Lenoir (5-10, 3-9) finished sixth and will travel to No. 2 Triton (13-5, 9-3) today for a game at 6 p.m. C.B. Aycock earned the bye.
Other first round games will be: Eastern Wayne at South Johnston and Southern Wayne at Clayton Cleveland.
Kinston baseball gets it going
Following Friday’s 6-0 win over Tarboro the Vikings have now won back-to-back Eastern Plains 2A Conference games — it’s only two EP2A wins on the year.
Will Deters pitched a shutout with 10 strikeouts, and Taishu McLawhorn and Sam McLawhorn had two hits each. Damien Williams had two RBIs, Sam McLawhorn, Octavius Howell and Deters had one RBI apiece.
Second year Vikings coach Michael Ellsworth has felt his team has been on the cusp of breaking out all season, but last week it finally did.
Kinston (6-13, 2-9) will wrap up its season with a game against SouthWest Edgecombe on Friday at Viking Field.
“This game was truly a team effort and team win,” Ellsworth said. “Their effort and level of a play is a testament to how much they want to win and how hard they are working to make it happen. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Rams still in hunt
It can’t win a conference championship outright, but Greene Central’s baseball team can earn a share of the EP2A title with wins in its final two games and a little help.
The Rams (12-7, 9-2) host first place North Pitt (18-1, 10-0) in a pivotal game tonight at 7. If they win, they’ll need the Panthers to lose at Wilson Beddingfield in their final league game in order to claim a share of the crown.
If that happens, there would most likely be a one-game playoff between Greene Central and North Pitt to see which team gets the league’s top playoff spot.
Important NCHSAA dates
Regular seasons in spring sports are winding down. Here is a list of upcoming NCHSAA playoff and championship dates:
Today, state dual-team boys tennis playoffs begin; Friday-Saturday, individual tennis regionals; Saturday, 1A and 3A track and field regionals; Monday, boys golf regionals; May 8, girls soccer playoffs begin; May 10, baseball and softball playoffs begin; May 10, state 1A track and field championships; May 11, state 3A track and field championships; May 11, 2A and 4A track and field regionals; May 13-14, state boys golf championships; May 17, state 2A track and field championships.
Important NCISAA dates
The regular season in spring sports is also winding down for Parrott Academy. Here is its list of playoff dates per the NCISAA website:
May 10, girls soccer and softball state playoffs begin; May 11, baseball and boys tennis playoffs begin; May 13-14, boys golf championships.
Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.