The Loyd Star Lady Hornets survived a tough defensive battle to win 2-1 over the West Lincoln Lady Bears Thursday night in Region 7-2A softball action at Jan Smith Delaughter Field.

The Lady Hornets (14-2, 6-0) will resume action Tuesday as they travel to Bassfield to take on the Bassfield Lady Yellowjackets for a big division test. The junior game is schedule to start at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6 p.m.

The Lady Bears (8-7, 5-2) will return to action Monday as they travel to Vicksburg to battle the St. Aloysius Flashes. The varsity game will be played first beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the junior varsity game.

Loyd Star 2, West Lincoln 1 

The Lady Hornets and the Lady Bears provided an exciting defensive battle for their softball fans as both schools fought in a scoreless contest until the bottom of the third inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Hornets managed to push one run across the plate to take a 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless fourth, fifth and sixth innings, the Lady Bears managed to break up Loyd Star’s bid for a shutout in the top of the seventh inning as West Lincoln fought hard to tied the game at 1-all on an RBI single by Anna Brooke Davis..

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Mackenzie Smith helped the Lady Hornets win the game with a RBI single to bring home Lesley Walker.

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

Malori Hall suffered the setback on the mound for West Lincoln with two strikeouts and three walks.

Julie Smith paced Loyd Star’s offense with two singles. Ali Gartman and Megan Norton provided a double each. Brooks Rushing, Kelsie McCullough, Raigan Smith and Mackenzie Smith hit safely.

Layton Sills, Makennah Redd and Anna Brooke Davis were the top hitters for West Lincoln at the plate with a single each.

In junior varsity action,  West Lincoln blanked Loyd Star 5-0.

Megan Gerald tossed the win for the Lady Bears with two strikeouts and one walk.

Ali Gartman (3K, 1BB) and Aly Floyd (1K, 0BB) pitched for the Lady Hornets.

Marley Poole and Katie West led Loyd Star’s offense with a single apiece.

Sara Jane Doty and Morgan Newman powered the Lady Bears attack at the plate with two singles each. McKenzie Pyles and Madelynn Thornton hit safely.