The Loyd Star Hornets ended the Lake Hornets season with a 8-3 victory to clinch the sweep in the best-of-three series of the first round of the Class 2A state baseball playoffs.

In a Thursday contest, Loyd Star won game one in a battle between Hornets as the Lincoln County-based Hornets clobbered Lake 12-1.

“I am proud of the boys for battling back after falling behind early,” Loyd Star coach Jared Britt said. “We got some big hits in some key situations. Levi Redd did a great job on the mound for us. Now our boys can get some much needed rest to prepare for the second round of the playoffs.”

Loyd Star (17-5, 10-0) will advance to the second round of the Class 2A state tournament and host the Pisgah Dragons, Tuesday. Game time is 6 p.m.

Loyd Star 12, Lake 1 

The Loyd Star Hornets came out and quickly dominated the Lake Hornets Thursday night to win game one 21-1 on Smith Field.

Loyd Star plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning, one run in the second inning and provided a seven-run explosion in the third inning to clinch the win in a five-inning contest.

Lake scored their only run in the top of the fourth inning.

“The boys came out and started swinging the bats early,” Britt continued. “They did a great job on giving us run support for our pitchers. Hopefully, we can continue swinging the bats well to pull out another big win.”

Caleb Yarborough provided a stellar performance on the mound for Loyd Star to collect the win with seven strikeouts and one walk.

Logan Leblanc suffered the loss for Lake with no strikeouts and two walks.

Konner Allen sparked the Lincoln County-based Hornets at the plate with two doubles and a single. Brett Calcote, Bradyn Brister and Levi Redd contributed a double and a single each. Hayden Brownlee ripped a pair of singles. Caleb Yarborough had a double.

Jordan Adcox was the top slugger for Lake with a solo home run. Jarquaz Gray and Grant June hit safely.

Loyd Star 8, Lake 3 

The Lake Hornets overpowered the Loyd Star Hornets in the first four innings action to claim a 3-0 lead, but the Lincoln County-based Hornets rallied back in the fifth, sixth and seventh inning with an eight-run explosion to clinch the win and spoiled Lake’s attempt of forcing a decisive game three contest back at Loyd Star.

Levi Redd was the winning pitcher for Loyd Star with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Dylan Usey suffered the defeat on the mound for Lake with three strikeouts and one walk.

Brett Calcote sparked the Lincoln County based Hornets offense with a home run. Caleb Yarborough fueled the flames with a double and a single. Levi Redd and Dorian Beard contributed a double each. Hitting safely were Lamar Lang and Konner Allen.

Marquarious Quarez paced Lake’s offense with a double and a single. Jay Johnston had a single.