The Loyd Star Lady Hornets were victorious Monday night with an 11-3 victory over the Brookhaven Lady Panthers in a non-divisional softball game.

“The girls played well offensively and defensively,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “Mackenzie Smith pitched a great game.”

The Lady Hornets (18-2, 7-0) will be in action today as they prepare to host a varsity doubleheader. Loyd Star will battle the East Marion Lady Eagles at 5 p.m. to finish their district action. Then the Lady Hornets will take on the Natchez Cathedral Lady Green Wave at 6:30 p.m. for the Senior Night contest.

The Lady Panthers (6-18, 1-2) will travel to Natchez today to tangle with the Natchez High Lady Bulldogs for a big Region 6-5A test. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6 p.m.

Loyd Star 11, Brookhaven 3 

The Lady Hornets came out strong and quickly grabbed a 6-0 lead in the first three innings of action.

The Lady Panthers managed to break up Loyd Star’s bid for a shutout in the fifth inning as Ole Brook pushed across three runs and cut into Loyd Star’s lead at 6-3.

The Lady Hornets answered in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings and increase their lead with five more runs to secure the win.

Mackenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Hornets with two strikeouts and one walk.

Katherine Shell suffered the setback for the Lady Panthers with four strikeouts and no walks.

“We played a lot better offensively,” said Brookhaven coach Chad Walker. “The girls played hard, but we made some costly mistakes during the game that hurt us.”

Abigail Thornton was the top hitter for Loyd Star at the plate with three singles. Kelsie McCullough and Megan Norton contributed a double each. Hitting safely were Lexie Butler, Ali Gartman and Madison Jones.

Danielle Batteast powered the Ole Brook’s offense with a double and a single. Jada Henderson provided a pair of singles. Katherine Shell hit a single.

In junior varsity action,  the Lady Panthers and Lady Hornets finished the game with a 5-all tie.

Madison Thompson (0K, 7BB) pitched for Ole Brook. Jada Henderson led the Lady Panthers at the plate with a double. Hitting safely were Kat Wallace, Jadeyn Fuller, Fallon Brooks and Madeline Boyt.