RICHTON – The Loyd Star Hornets rode the 3-hit pitching performance of Cori Crowe Tuesday night and whipped the Richton Rebels 6-1 to clinch the Class 2A South State semifinals series on the road. Crowe (7-2), a senior right-hander, struck out 8 batters and walked none.

     There’s no rest for the Hornets (23-8). They travel to Taylorsville Thursday for  Game 1 of a best-of-three South State championship series. Game 2 will be played Saturday night at 7 on Loyd Star’s Smith Field. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Monday at Taylorsville.

     “Cori put us on his back and carried us,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “He pitched a great game.”

     The Hornets, who edged Richton 2-1 in 11 innings Monday night at Loyd Star, collected 11 hits last night.

     Senior shortstop Braden Smith hit a double and 2 singles for Loyd Star. Centerfielder Seth Farmer doubled and singled. Designated hitter Brett Calcote doubled. Branden Canny singled twice. Peyton Flowers, Caleb Yarborough and Crowe singled.

     “We got some timely hits and we were able to capitalize on their errors,” said Britt. “Our kids gave a great effort.”

     The Rebels scored once in the first. Crowe hit a batter and balked him to second base. Blaine Walley and Darren Woods hit back-to-back singles to score the run. They would only get 1 more hit in the game.

     Richton starter Dylon Stringer went the distance and took the loss.

     Loyd Star tied the score in the top of the second. Logan Smith led off with a walk. Brett Calcote advanced designated runner Dorian Beard to second base. Branden Canny’s RBI single drove in Dorian Beard.

     In the third, Yarborough hit an RBI single to highlight a 3-run third. Logan Smith had an RBI ground out to score Seth Farmer.

     Braden Smith led off the seventh with a single. Farmer singled to right and Smith came home on the outfielder’s error. Calcote doubled over the centerfielder’s head to score Farmer.

     “We have to focus and stay resilient,” said Coach Britt. “I expect us to be ready for Taylorsville.”

     Taylorsville (26-4), the 2012 state runner-up to Bruce, swept Wesson in the South semifinals, winning 4-0 Saturday and 15-2 Monday night at Wesson.