BOGUE CHITTO – The Loyd Star Lady Hornets captured the Lincoln County softball tournament crown with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the host Bogue Chitto Lady Cats Tuesday night.

“This was a tough but an exciting win for the girls,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “I am proud for the girls. They worked hard both offensively and defensively to keep Bogue Chitto off balance. Overall, this was a great team effort. We managed to get timely hits against a very good Bogue Chitto ball club.”

Bogue Chitto (4-1) returns to action Thursday as they prepare to travel south down Highway 51 to take on the North Pike Lady Jaguars in Summit. Junior varsity action begins at 5 p.m., followed by varsity action at 6 p.m.

Loyd Star (4-1) will enjoy the rest of the week off for Spring Break, before resuming action Tuesday as they prepare to visit Brookhaven to battle the Ole Brook Lady Panthers. Junior varsity starts at 5 p.m., followed by varsity action at 6:30 p.m.

Loyd Star 5, Bogue Chitto 3 

The Lady Cats and Lady Hornets managed to provide an exciting defensive ball game for their softball fans as both teams had to tough out the weather elements and the muddy field conditions.

In the first inning, the Lady Hornets quickly set the tone of the game as they managed to push one run across the plate to grab a 1-0 lead.

Bogue Chitto answered in the bottom of the third inning and tied the game at 1-all.

In the top of the fourth inning, Loyd Star fought back and reclaimed the lead by scoring two runs to take a 3-1 lead.

The Lady Cats rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game once again at 3-all.

Both teams continued to fight hard defensively in the sixth inning as the scored remained tied.

In the top of the seventh inning, Loyd Star managed to put together a string of hits to score two runs to take back the lead at 5-3 and held off BC in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim the win.

“Loyd Star outplayed us tonight,” said BC coach Scott Leggett. “We did not do enough to help ourselves and did just a little bit to help them.”

Both teams committed two errors apiece during the game.

Makenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Hornets with three strikeouts and one walk. Ali Gartman (6K, 2BB) was the starting pitcher for Loyd Star.

Sophomore Christian Black suffered the setback for the Lady Cats with two strikeouts and one walk.

Gartman powered the Lady Hornets at the plate with two doubles and a single. Julie Smith, Abigail Thornton and Brooks Rushing hit safely.

Second baseman Terrah Nelson directed the Lady Cats offense with a double and a single. Hitting safely were Mattie Avants, Daley Roberts and Colby Kirkland.