DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Loyd Star’s Caleb Yarborough provides a strong pitching performance for his team against the Taylorsville Tartars Friday night.

The Loyd Star Hornets returned home after a tough loss Thursday night with high hopes of evening the series at one game apiece Friday night in Game Two of the best-of-three series in Class 2A State baseball action.

The Hornets saw their season come to an abrupt end late Friday night in a tough defensive contest after falling to the Taylorsville Tartars 4-2.

“I was very proud of my guys effort,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “They came out and left everything on the field. This is a great group of kids and I am proud to be their coach.

“You got to tip your hat to Taylorsville,” continued Britt. “They have a very good ball club. They made the big plays when they needed them to get the win.”

In last Thursday’s contest, the Tartars relied on their strong-arm ace Jordan Hayes to shut down Loyd Star’s offense to capture Game One 10-1.

The Loyd Star Hornets baseball team concludes their season with an overall record of 16-12 and finished in second place with a 8-2 record in the Region 8-2A race.

Taylorsville 4, Loyd Star 2 

Loyd Star baseball fans gathered around to give their team some motivation and support with high hopes of helping their boys collect the victory.

After a tough defensive battle, Loyd Star’s faithful saw their baseball team come up short at the end.

Brody Bray picked up the win for the Tartars with three strikeouts and five walks.

Caleb Yarborough suffered the setback on the mound for the Hornets with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Seth Farmer and Brett Calcote were the top offensive hitters for Loyd Star with a double each. Bradyn Brister provided a single.

Bray also powered the Tartars at the plate with a solo home run and a single. Matthew Craft contributed a double and two singles. Hitting safely were Carr McMorris, Andrew Pankratz, Joseph Gately and Dylan Henderson.

Taylorsville 10, Loyd Star 1 

Jordan Hayes dominated the pitchers mound for the Taylorsville Tartars as he struck out 12 Loyd Star batters and gave up only one walk.

Peyton Flowers suffered the setback for the Hornets with five strikeouts and six walks. Konner Allen (1K, 0BB) saw some action in relief.

“We did not play to our potential Thursday night,” continued Britt. “Our approaches at the plate were not very good. Jordan Hayes did a good job keeping us off balance at the plate.”

Peyton Flowers was the offensive leader for Loyd Star at the plate with a double. Hitting safely were Seth Farmer and Cole Smith.

Brady Bray powered Taylorsville’s offense with a double and two singles. Matthew Craft and Jarvis Griffith contributed a pair of singles. Austin Moffett and Jordan Hayes provided a double apiece. Andrew Pankratz, Joseph Gately and Dylan Henderson had a single each.