CARRIERE – The Loyd Star Lady Hornets secured a split decision in their final regular season warm-up Saturday before their state playoff run.

Loyd Star lost to the St. Patrick Lady Irish 5-4 in the first game, but bounced back to defeat the Pearl River Central Lady Blue Devils 11-0 in the finale.

The Lady Hornets (18-7), coached by Jan Delaughter, will be in action today when they visit Lake to battle the Lady Hornets in the first game of the second round of the Class 2A state softball playoffs. Loyd Star will host the second and third game, if needed, Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Lady Irish 5, Lady Hornets 4

The Lady Irish scored all five runs in the third inning and held off Loyd Star’s three-run attack in the third and one-run threat in the sixth to secure the win.

Makenzie Smith suffered the setback on the rubber for the Lady Hornets with six strikeouts and five walks.

Morgan Redmond pitched the win for St. Patrick with two strikeouts and no walks. Anna Daguilla (0K, 0BB) pitched the final inning in relief.

Ali Gartman paced the Lady Hornets’ offense with a homerun. Johnna Norman contributed two singles. Madison Jones provided a double. Hitting safely were Megan Norton, Makenzie Smith, Julie Smith and Meagan Poole.

Lady Hornets 11, Lady Blue Devils 0

In the second game, the Lady Hornets clobbered the Lady Devils in a five-inning contest, scoring two runs in the first inning, four runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to secure the win.

Makenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for Loyd Star with two strikeouts and no walks. Ali Gartman (0K, 0BB) pitched the fifth inning in relief.

Gartman powered the Lady Hornets at the plate with a homerun. Abigail Thornton contributed a double and two singles. Julie Smith provided a double and a single. Madison Jones had two singles. Megan Norton ripped a double. Shelby Smith and Meagan Poole had a single each.