HATTIESBURG – The Loyd Star Lady Hornets blew a 7-0 lead aftertwo innings and allowed the Sumrall Lady Bobcats to scored eightruns in the final five innings to pull out a 9-8 win and eliminatethe visitors from the Class 1A-2A state playoffs in the third gameof a best-of-three series.

“We beat ourselves,” said Loyd Star girls coach Jan Delaughter.”When you’re 7-0 you should not lose.”

Loyd Star (13-6) led 7-0 after two innings as Sumrall came backwith five runs in the bottom of the third, cutting the deficit to7-5. The Lady Bobcats scored three in the bottom of the fourth totake an 8-7 lead. The Lady Hornets answered with one run in the topof the fifth to tie the game at 7-all.

Sumrall scored the game winner in the bottom of the seventh.Loyd Star left 14 batters stranded on base and had bases loadedtwice and could not advance the runners.

Melissa Brill was the losing pitcher with Caroline Burke seeingaction in the final three innings. Brittany Stevens got thewin.

Leading Loyd Star with two doubles apiece were WhitneyHedgepeth, Brill and Jamakia Henderson. Ashton Williams, NikkiHunsucker and Jordan Britt singled.

“We had a good year,” said Delaughter. “We played well until theend.”

Sumrall got a triple and a single from Stevens. Rachel Whiteheaddoubled and singled. Misty Thompson drilled a pair of singles.