DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Loyd Star’s Julie Smith (23) makes a great diving catch for the out in Saturday’s contest against Enterprise-Clark as her teammate Kelsie McCullough (15) hustles over to help.

The Loyd Star Lady Hornets knocked off their long-time playoff nemesis, the Enterprise-Clark Lady Bulldogs, Saturday to earn a series sweep at Jan Smith Delaughter Field.

The Lady Hornets captured a big 6-3 victory over the Lady Bulldogs in game one Friday night at Enterprise, before ending the series at home Saturday with a 9-6 win over Enterprise-Clark in game two.

“We are excited to win the series in two games,” Loyd Star Coach Jan Delaughter said. “We beat a very good team to advance to the South State Championship. Overall, I am very proud of my girls’ efforts. They have work hard all season long to get here.”

The Lady Hornets (25-3) advance to play the winner of the Lake versus Taylorsville series for the Class 2A South State Championship Friday and Saturday. Game time and locations have not been released.

Loyd Star 6, Enterprise-Clark 3 

In game one, the Lady Hornets came out and set the tone of the contest in the first inning as they took commanding early with a 3-0 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, Loyd Star added another run to their lead in the top of the third inning to have a 4-0 advantage, but the Lady Bulldogs would rallied back in the bottom of the third inning scoring three runs to cut into Loyd Star’s lead at 4-3.

The Lady Hornets’ defense would not allowed the Lady Bulldogs’ offense to score again throughout the remainder of the contest.

Loyd Star added to their lead in the top of the fifth and seventh innings scoring one run each and held on for the win.

Mackenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Hornets with three strikeouts and two walks.

Delaney Davidson suffered the loss for the Lady Bulldogs with no strikeouts and seven walks.

Mackenzie Smith led the offensive charge for the Lady Hornets at the plate with a solo home run. Madison Jones contributed a double. Hitting safely were Ali Gartman, Johnna Norman and Raigan Smith.

Davidson paced the Lady Bulldogs’ offense with two singles. Brittany Hagwood, Lauren Smith, Shawnda Gray, Jordan Goodman, Kaleigh Russell and Sarah Brannon hit safely.

Loyd Star 9, Enterprise-Clarke 6 

In game two, the Lady Hornets started the contest the same way they did in Friday’s contest as they jumped on the Lady Bulldogs early in the first inning to take a commanding 4-0 lead.

The Lady Bulldogs battled back in the top of the second inning by scoring two runs to cut into Loyd Star’s lead at 4-2.

In the bottom of the third inning, Loyd Star added a run on the scoreboard to increase their lead to 5-2.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Bulldogs provided another two-run surge to cut into the Lady Hornets at 5-4.

In the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, Loyd Star managed to increase their lead by four more runs to secure a 9-4 advantage before heading into the seventh inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Bulldogs made a big rally attempt against the Lady Hornets after scoring two runs, but Loyd Star’s defense ended the rally by collecting the final two outs to collect the win.

Mackenzie Smith pitched the win for the Lady Hornets with four strikeouts and two walks.

Matty Henington suffered the loss for Enterprise-Clarke with no strikeouts, two walks and three hit batters. Davidson also pitched in relief with no strikeouts, eight walks and two hit batters.

Mackenzie Smith, Julie Smith, Johnna Norman and Ali Gartman were the top sluggers at the plate for Loyd Star with a single each.

Lauren Smith paced the Lady Bulldogs’ offense with a double and a single. Talena Satcher and Hagwood provided two single each. Goodman, Gray and Davidson hit safely.