The Loyd Star Lady Hornets wrap up the regular season with a 13-2 win over the Brookhaven Lady Panthers Tuesday night at Jan Smith Delaughter Field.

The Lady Hornets also celebrated senior night prior to the opening pitch of the varsity game as they recognized their seniors Raigan Smith and Brooks Rushing. Smith and Rushing received several gifts from their friends, teammates and families during the ceremony.

“It was good to get the win for our seniors,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “The girls hit the ball really well tonight, but we need to play better defensively as we prepare for the playoffs.”

Loyd Star (21-3, 8-0) will play a warm up game Friday before starting the playoffs next week as they prepare to travel to Natchez to take on the Natchez Cathedral Lady Green Wave. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:15 p.m.

The Lady Panthers (16-6, 2-2) will be in action Thursday as they start their Class 5A state playoff race on the road against Picayune starting at 6 p.m. Brookhaven host a doubleheader contest, if needed, Friday against Picayune, starting at 5 p.m.

Loyd Star 13, Brookhaven 2 

The Brookhaven Lady Panthers came out and quickly jumped on the Lady Hornets in the top of the first inning as Katherine Shell hit a two-run home run to give Ole Brook an early 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first inning, Loyd Star responded with a five run surge over Brookhaven to secure the lead at 5-2.

The Lady Hornets defense managed to hold Brookhaven scoreless through out the rest of the game, while their bats continued to heat up offensively. Loyd Star plated four runs in the second inning, two runs in the third inning and two more runs in the fourth inning before the game was called in the fifth inning.

Mackenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Hornets with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Rileigh Allen suffered the setback on the rubber for the Lady Panthers with one strikeout and two walks. Katherine Shell (4K, 3BB) also pitched in relief.

Julie Smith powered Loyd Star’s attack with a triple and a single. Madison Jones provided a double and a single. Mackenzie Smith and Ali Gartman contributed a pair of singles each. Meagan Norton had a double and Johnna Norman hit a single.

Shell was the top slugger for Brookhaven with a home run. Katie Grace Culpepper and Cheyenne Motley hit safely.

“It is hard to win games if you don’t play defense and don’t produce runs on offense,” said BHS coach Mandy Vinson. “We need regroup quickly as we begin are playoff race Thursday.”

In junior varsity action,  Loyd Star defeated Brookhaven 11-1.

Kelsie McCullough tossed the win for the Lady Hornets with three strikeouts and no walks. Johnna Norman (1K, 0BB), Aly Floyd (1K, 1BB) and Ali Gartman (1K, 0BB) also pitched in relief.

Madison Thompson absorbed the setback on the mound for Ole Brook with two strikeouts and seven walks.

Marley Poole paced Loyd Star’s offense with a triple. Carly Beth Wallace and Lesley Walker hit safely.

Jadeyn Fuller led the Lady Panthers at the plate with a triple.