DAILY LEADER / AMY RHOADS / Loyd Star’s Caleb Yarborough collects one of his three hits against West Lincoln in Thursday action.

The Loyd Star Hornets are riding a hot five-game winning streak after hammering the West Lincoln Bears 17-6 in five innings of action at Smith Field.

With the win Thursday night, the Hornets clinched second place in Region 8-2A baseball action. West Lincoln finishes in third place.

Enterprise, Loyd Star and West Lincoln all make a clear sweep in district baseball action as all three advance to the Class 2A State playoffs starting next week.

The Hornets (13-8, 8-2) will still be in regular season action Monday as they host the St. Andrew Saints. Junior varsity action starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:30 p.m.

The Bears (15-5, 7-3) will be looking to climb out of their slump Tuesday as they prepare to host the Tylertown Chiefs. Junior varsity action begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity contest at 6:30 p.m.

Loyd Star 17, West Lincoln 6 

The Hornets provided an offensive show for their baseball fans Thursday night as they nearly blew a fuse on the scoreboard.

Loyd Star came out strong in the first inning and took over the lead at 4-2 after West Lincoln set the tone earlier to start the game.

The Hornets continued their hot hitting streak in the second and third innings as they increased their lead to 11-2.

In the top of the fourth inning, West Lincoln battled back as they pushed across four runs, trimming into Loyd Star’s lead at 11-6.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Loyd Star continued to have the hot bat as they scored three runs and added another three-run jolt in the fifth inning to secure the win on the mercy rule.

“Our guys are swinging the bats well right now,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “Caleb Yarborough did a great job battling on the mound and his teammate responded by giving him some run support. This was a great district win, but we need to stay focused and start preparing for the playoffs.”

Caleb Yarborough was the winning pitcher for the Hornets with four strikeouts and four walks.

Tanner Boutwell suffered the setback for the Bears with no strikeouts and no walks. Jeremy Burns (2K, 2BB) pitched in relief for the second time this week.

Seth Farmer sparked the Hornet’s explosion with a two-run home run, a triple and a double. Yarborough fueled the flames with a two-run home run, a double and a single. Peyton Flowers continued the onslaught with a two-run home run and a single. Levi Redd ripped a solo home run and a single. Brett Calcote, Parker Flowers and Dorian Beard hit safely.

Brady Wilson was the offensive leader at the plate for West Lincoln with a two-run home run in the fourth inning and a single. Jeremy Burns contributed two singles. Ty Forman had a double and Bryce Temple singled.