DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Loyd Star’s Caleb Yarborough (15) is greeted at home plate by his teammates Jordan Michel (6) and Konner Allen (13) after hitting his second three-run home run Friday night against Pisgah at Smith Field.

Loyd Star’s senior pitcher Caleb Yarborough single handedly dominated the Pisgah Dragons Friday night as the Hornets blanked the Dragons 10-0 to win game three of the best-of-three series in class 2A state baseball playoffs at Smith Field.

“I am proud of the guys for stepping up and bouncing back after an ugly loss Thursday night,” Loyd Star Coach Jared Britt said. “Caleb Yarborough came out and dominated the game on the mound and at the plate. He had an amazing game.

“I cannot compliment this group of young men enough,” Britt continued. “They just keep coming out and giving all they have to get the win. We can enjoy this win for the weekend, but come Monday, we have to get back to work to prepare for Tuesday contest.”

The Hornets (19-6) will advance to the third round of the state playoffs and host the Richton Rebels Tuesday at Smith Field. Game two will be at Richton Thursday, and game three, if necessary, will be at Loyd Star Friday. Game times have not been released.

Loyd Star 10, Pisgah 0 

The Loyd Star Hornets came out and dominated the Pisgah Dragons in a five-inning contest to clinch the victory and advance to the next round of the playoffs.

DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Loyd Star’s Brett Calcote (11) is greeted along the third base line by Head Coach Jared Britt after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning.

The Hornets quickly set the pace of the contest in the bottom of the second inning as Loyd Star’s offense blasted the Dragons with a five-run explosion, which Yarborough led the charge with a three-run home run.

The Hornets added another run in the bottom of the third inning to extend their lead to 6-0.

In the fourth inning, Loyd Star’s offense continued their hot hitting streak and put together a big four run inning to increase their lead to 10-0 after Yarborough smashed his second three-run home run of the night and Brett Calcote added a solo home run.

Besides dominating at the plate, Yarborough (8-0) showed off his pitching arm on the mound for Loyd Star. He collected the shut out victory giving up only two hits with seven strikeouts and allowed only one walk.

Aiden Bradford suffered the loss for the Dragons with one strikeout and four walks. Archie Sullivan (0K, 0BB) pitched two innings in relief.

Yarborough led the Hornets’ hitters at the plate with two three-run home runs. Brett Calcote contributed a solo home run. Bradyn Brister, Cole Smith and Hayden Brownlee hit safely.

Hunter Harrell and Bradford were the only batters for Pisgah that managed to record a single each on offense.