It’s been a big start to the season for the Loyd Star softball offense as coach Scott Leggett’s team is 5-0 thus far in 2022, including a 17-1 win Friday against Enterprise. It was the third win of the week for LS they got wins on Tuesday (16-2 at Lawrence County) and Thursday (14-1 at Vicksburg).

Tuesday in Monticello, the Hornets piled up 14 hits in just five innings. Seventh grader Layla Burt hit a triple and a double for LS, while junior Alyssa Leggett went 4-for-4 at the plate and drove in four runs.

Leggett and Aubrey Britt also hit a double apiece. Leadoff batter Carson Hughey had three hits and scored three runs for the Hornets.

Maddie Kate Britt and Brooke Cade also both hit safely for Loyd Star.

The bats stayed hot Thursday for Loyd Star, as Abby Burnette had a double and a triple for her team against VHS. Burnette drove in three runs while Marley Britt had two RBIs ad did Baylee Zumbro and Hughey.

Burnette pitched the win over Vicksburg, striking out nine and giving up zero earned runs. Burt won in the circle over Lawrence County.

“We’ve made some changes to our defense and the girls are really playing together early in the season,” said Scott Leggett about his team. “We slid Aubrey Britt to right field and put Carson Hughey in centerfield. We’ve got Emma Falvey back in left and that’s three outfielders that can cover some ground.”

Cade, Gennaro and Hughey all had a double each in the big win over Enterprise on Friday.

The Hornets produced 14 RBIs on 12 hits as Zumbro and Cade had three runs driven in apiece in the victory. Burt picked up the pitching win and gave up just three hits.

Morgan Chemin led Enterprise with a double and a run scored. Katelynn Malone also had a pair of hits for EAC coach Alicia Smith.

Smith’s team bounced back to get an 8-2 win over Bogue Chitto on Saturday. Chemin, an eighth grader, hit two home runs on Saturday for Enterprise.

Bogue Chitto jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Enterprise sprang a comeback. Freshman Natalie Williams had two hits in the win for Enterprise including a double. Freshman Kaliee Nuckles and Malone, also a freshman, hit a double apiece against Bogue Chitto.

Enterprise begins region play on March 22 by hosting Salem.

Loyd Star beat Salem 4-1 in the season opener and then blew out Vicksburg at home 10-0 on February 24.

Leggett’s team is one that is a mix of experience and young talent.

Zumbro, Falvey, Cade, Macy East and Aubrey Britt are seniors on the team.

The junior class is made up of Hughey, Alyssa Leggett, and Marley Britt.

Sophomores on the team are Burnette and Kaylee Anding.

Ainsley Gennaro, Arry Anna Rushing, Hayden Renfro, Chloe Rodriquez, Avery Sellers and Xia Townsend make up the freshman class on the team.

Makayla McDavid is in eighth grade while Maddie Kate Britt, Madison McKinzie, Adi Holcomb, Kaylin Hester and Burt are the seventh graders on the team.

Loyd Star went 12-14 last season and finished 7-1 in Region 7-2A to win the division. The team swept Pisgah in a first-round playoff series before being put out by Enterprise-Clarke in the second round.

The Hornets are back on Jan Smith Delaughter Field on Thursday, March 10 when they’ll host Warren Central. The team will play in tournaments hosted by Salem on Mach 12, Brookhaven High on March 19 and West Lincoln on April 9.

Region play begins March 22 for Loyd Star with a home game against East Marion.