Since the midpoint of the 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference varsity softball season, Hunt has been the league's hottest team.
On Tuesday evening, Kinston was unable to discontinue that trend as the host Lady Warriors posted an 8-1 victory in the first round of the ECC Tournament.
Hunt, the No. 3 seed, put up six runs in the first inning and added two more in the second on the way to its sixth straight conference victory.
While the reason behind the late-season surge drew mixed opinions, it was hard to miss one obvious reason for Tuesday's romp.
"Maybe there's more togetherness but I know we're hitting the ball a lot better," Hunt senior second baseman Lauren Langley said matter-of-factly.
The Lady Warriors (15-6) pounded out 11 hits and capitalized on a very costly first-inning error by No. 6 seed Kinston (6-16).
The eight runs were plenty for junior right-handed pitcher Jessica Mayo, who had a no-hitter through 51/3 innings. Mayo ended up yielding one run on three hits as she earned her 13th victory in 18 decisions while being backed by errorless defense.
"Our defense is really tight and our offense was on the money tonight," said Mayo.
The offense didn't take long as the first two batters, Lauren Langley and Abi Earle, reached base to set up freshman catcher Amber Parrish's RBI single.
Hunt then loaded the bags with one out and left fielder Candy Capps' flyball to right field was misplayed, allowing the second run to score. Karen Coleman, one of six seniors in the starting lineup, drove in a run with a grounder to first base before junior Caroline Moody doubled home two more runs off Kinston starter Shelby King.
Junior Morgan Ballance lashed a double to left to bring in Moody with the inning's sixth run.
"Moody had been struggling a little bit and it was getting to her," Hunt head coach Riley Hurdle said. "Then she started hitting the ball and folks were making plays on her ... But she and Lauren (Langley) are probably hitting the ball as well as anybody."
Langley finished 3 for 4 while senior Janna Joyner also rapped two hits.
Earle, a Mount Olive College signee, singled to start the second then scored on a triple by Parrish, who was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Parrish then dashed home on Spencer Winbourne's groundout.
"Amber's continuing to be an asset this year," Hurdle said. "She's been tremendous."
With the eight-run lead and the Lady Vikings flailing at Mayo's offerings, a five-inning exit seemed inevitable for Kinston. But King buckled down and the Lady Vikings finally scratched Mayo for a run in the sixth on Kayla Burnett's RBI single.
"When a team is 6-15, it's easy to just say let's get on the bus. I was so proud of them," said Kinston head coach Donald Mooring, who revealed it was his final game with the Lady Vikings. Mooring will move to South Lenoir next year.
For the Lady Warriors, there is still plenty of this year left.
Next up for the Lady Warriors is No. 2 seed Southern Wayne in tonight's semifinal at 7.
Hunt defeated the Lady Saints and ace pitcher Lauren Darden 5-0 on April 23 at Hunt. Now the Lady Warriors must do it again but this time in Dudley.
Hurdle related the words of Charles B. Aycock head coach Brad Matthews, who was the Southern Wayne head coach until this season.
"He said y'all have got (Darden's) number; y'all hit her better than anybody else -- conference or out-of-conference," Hurdle said.
While both teams have qualified for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs, Hunt can move up a notch to grab the ECC's second seed from the Lady Saints.
"We're playing this just like it is the state playoffs because we want the best possible seed we can get and have the most favorable bracket we can have," Hurdle avowed.
With the end of their high school careers in sight, Langley and her five senior teammates are hoping to make the season last as long as they can.
"Last chance!" Langley said with a smile. "I'm real excited; I want to be here for awhile."
paul@wilsontimes.com | 265-7808
Score by innings:
Kinston 000 001 0 -- 1
Hunt 620 000 x -- 8
WP-Jessica Mayo (13-5). LP-Shelby King.
LEADING HITTERS -- Kinston: Kayla Burnett 1-1 RBI; Hunt: Lauren Langley 3-4 1 run scored, Amber Parrish 2-4 3B 2 RBIs 2 runs scored, Janna Joyner 2-4 1 run scored, Caroline Moody 1-3 2B 2 RBIs, Morgan Ballance 1-3 2B RBI.