The heat is on in full flame in Region 8-2A baseball action as the Loyd Star Hornets knocked off the West Lincoln 11-5 Tuesday night to spoil the Bears Senior Night.

West Lincoln honored their baseball seniors: Tanner Boutwell, Chase Buckles, Tyler Moak, Jeremy Burns and Brady Wilson with showers of gifts as they stood along the third base line with their families.

With the Hornet’s win, West Lincoln, Loyd Star and Enterprise are in a three-way battle for first place with a 7-2 record. Enterprise suffered a tough Region loss at home to East Marion 2-1 Tuesday night.

“My boys came out ready to play,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “We hit the ball really well and came together as a team to earn this big district win. Overall, it was a good win but now the plot thickens as we are in a three-way battle for first place.”

The Bears (15-4) visit Smith Field to battle the Hornets (12-8) in round two of the district series Thursday. Junior varsity starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by varsity action at 6:30 p.m.

The Jackets (9-9) will travel to Columbia to take on East Marion in a rematch Thursday. Game times are the same.

Loyd Star, Enterprise and West Lincoln have already clinched a playoff but the two games remaining Thursday will decide first, second and third place seedings.

Loyd Star 11, West Lincoln 5 

West Lincoln and Loyd Star fans braved the cold Tuesday night in April to witness their team battle in a very tough district race.

The Bears quickly set the tone of the contest and they took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but the Hornets answered in the top of the third inning and tied the contest at 2-all.

After a tough defensive battle in the fourth inning, Loyd Star’s offense managed to come alive as they overpowered the Bears to claim a 6-2 lead in the fifth inning.

The Hornets continued their hot hitting streak in the top of the sixth and seventh innings to increase their lead to 11-2.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, West Lincoln worked hard to make a miracle comeback as they pushed across three runs but failed to overcome the Loyd Star’s large lead at the end.

Peyton Flowers went the distance to collect the win on the mound for the Hornets with eight strikeouts and five walks.

Brady Wilson suffered the setback for the Bears with eight strikeouts and two walks. Jeremy Burns (1K, 2BB) also saw action on the mound in relief.

Seth Farmer was the dominated batter at the plate for Loyd Star as he went five-for-five with two doubles and three singles. Peyton Flowers started the sparked for the Hornets with a two-run home run and a double. Caleb Yarborough helped fueled the flames with a double and two singles. Cole Smith hit safely.

Wilson was the top slugger for West Lincoln with a two-run home run and a single. Alex Neal contributed a double and a single. Tyler Moak and Lofton Sills provided a double apiece. Bryce Temple had a single.

“I give Loyd Star credit. They came in and did the things they had to do to get the win,” said West Lincoln coach Steve Barrington. “We just did not show up to play offensively and defensively. Now, we must put this behind us and get ready for Thursday.”

In junior varsity action,  Loyd Star blanked West Lincoln 7-0.