In a slugfest, Loyd Star fell 12-7 Friday night to Taylorsville. Then the Hornets’ season came to an end Saturday night, dropping game two 4-3.

Taylorsville’s bats heated up fast in game one as they took an early lead, and never looked back. Rallying late, Loyd Star attempted a comeback but were unable to overcome Taylorsville’s lead.

“The hitters in the bottom of the lineup helped, and we were able to get some key hits,” Loyd Star catcher Rials Hester said. “We were able to fuel off each other. Defensively we played well, we just gave up a few big hits.”

Taylorsville took control of the game in the first inning, scoring four runs.

Karson Evans scored the first two runs of the game when he brought in two runners on a line-drive single to center field. Kason James continued the scoring, notching a double into left field, scoring Branson Sharpley. With two outs, Ky Buckley finished the scoring in the first inning, bringing Evans home on a line-drive single into left field. The Hornets closed the inning striking out the next batter.

The Tartars added onto their lead in the second as they pushed three runs across the plate. Taylorsville scored their final run of the inning on a single into left field by Tyler Booth. Loyd Star got out of the inning with a ground ball out to third baseman Cade Hodges.

The Hornets got on the scoreboard in their half of the fourth, bringing three runs across the plate. Dane Smith reached first on an error by Taylorsville’s second baseman. Hester followed, notching a line drive single into center field. The Hornets scored as Dylan Case reached safety on an error by Taylorsville’s second baseman, scoring Smith.

Running for Hester, Patrick Price scored on a sacrifice by Brent Cade. Reese DeHart finished the fourth inning scoring, bringing Case home on a double into right field.

Taylorsville continued to separate themselves from the Hornets, scoring one run in the top half of the fifth.

Loyd Star scored one run in their half of the fifth. James Beard led off the inning, reaching first on an error by Taylorsville’s shortstop. Hodges moved Beard over to third base on his fly out to deep center field, then Smith scored Beard on a ground out to shortstop.

The Hornets continued the scoring in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs. Case led off the inning, with a walk after working the count full. Cade notched a line-drive double into left field. Loyd Star scored their two runs on back-to-back sacrifices by Dylan Smith and DeHart.

Taylorsville’s bats heated back up in their half of the seventh, bringing four runs across the plate. The Hornets tried to rally in the final frame of the seventh but only mustered a run. The Hornets loaded up the bases, with one out, when Hester was hit by a pitch, and Case and Cade got back-to-back walks. Batting with two outs, DeHart scored the Hornets’ final run of the game on a line-drive single into center field, scoring Price, who was running for Hester.

“I feel like we waited too long to get started,” Hornets coach Jared Britt said. “Against a good team like Taylorsville, you can’t give up runs early and not compete, you have to score with them. I thought Dylan Smith came in on relief and pitched a really good ball game and was able to keep them off balanced.”

DeHart led the Hornets with a double, single and three RBIs. Beard and Hester each notched two singles.

The Hornets fell Saturday to Taylorsville once again, 4-3, ending their season 20-7 overall.

Story by Dave Linton