CLARKDALE – The Loyd Star Hornets are in a must-win situationtonight as they host the Clarkdale Bulldogs after dropping Thursdaynight’s first game of the best-of-three series 5-2 to thehosts.

Tonight’s game begins at 6 p.m. If Loyd Star wins, they wouldtravel back to Clarkdale Saturday for a deciding game at 1 p.m.

Loyd Star (14-12) led 1-0 after the first inning but Clarkdale(24-6) tied it up 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Clarkdale wentback ontop 3-1 after the fourth and 5-1 after the fifth.

The Hornets came back with one run in the top of the sixth tocut the deficit to 5-2 but could not score anymore more runs.

Chris Moffett (8-2) was the winning pitcher, striking out 10batters and walking three. Chase Coley (2-3) fanned four battersand walked three in the loss.

“The key was our pitching,”said Loyd Star head coach AnthonyHart. “Coley did a good job. We played poorly behind him. We made alot of mental mistakes. If we are going to win this series, we willhave to improve on that.”

Seth Britt powered Loyd Star with a double and a single. Coleydoubled. Cass Brister, Blake Wall and Matthew Delaughtersingled.