Friday night at Clarkdale, Loyd Star did what they needed to do.The visiting Hornets beat the Bulldogs 8-6 and forced a third gameSaturday on the Hornets home field in the first-round,best-of-three series of the Class 2A state baseball playoffs.

Saturday afternoon, Loyd Star got an excellent seven-inningperformance from Blake Wall plus some early hits and stingy defenseto whip Clarkdale 6-0 in the third game.

The win improved the Hornets’ record to 19-8 while the Bulldogsfinish the season with a 19-15 worksheet.

Loyd Star advances to the second round of the 2A state baeballplayoffs and will face the Lumberton-Taylorsville seroes winnerThursday in Game One.

“It feels good to come out and win it,” said a sweat-soaked Wallfollowing the win. “Our team showed a lot of class. We played gooddefense.”

Wall credited the win to senior catcher Matthew Delaughter whohe has played baseball with since the age of 10. “He is the bestcatcher Loyd Star has ever had.”

Loyd Star head baseball Sidney Wheatley was equally proud ofWall’s contribution to the win.

“Blake Wall did a heckuva job for us,” said Wheatley. Wallstruck out six batters and walked three.

Justin Brewer absorbed the loss with seven hits allowed on threestrikeouts and three walks. He was replaced by Brian Mabry in thetop of the sixth inning.

Wheatley talked about the difference in the team hitting inThursday night’s loss with Friday and Saturday’s much betterperformances. He knew the players were pressuring themselves. Inthe final two games, they took their time and had good hitselection. “Every run breeds confidence,” smiled Wheatley.

“The kids showed a lot of character. We did an outstanding jobtoday.”

Loyd Star jumped on Clarkdale in the bottom of the first inningfor a 4-0 lead. Cass Brister and Seth Britt walked. David Cuevasdrilled a double to the fence and Brister and Britt both scored fora 2-0 lead. Jared Britt singled and Logan Portrey bunted safely toload the bases. Cuevas stole home plate on a wild pitch as didBritt when the Clarkdale first and second baseman failed to get outPortrey in a rundown play.

Clarkdale’s best threat was in the top of the second inning whenthey hit three singles to load the bases. But the Loyd Star defensecame back with three straight outs to preserve the lead.

The bottom of the fifth saw the Hornets tack on another run fora 5-0 cushion. Seth Britt led off with another walk and Cuevasfollowed him with a single. Britt stole third base. Jared Britt’shit sent Seth Britt home for the fifth run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Wall singled and was replaced bypinch runner Tyler Williford. With one out and one runner on base,Bulldog coach Charles King replaced starter Justin Brewer withBrian Mabry. Delaughter singled to the fence as Williford roundedthe other three bags for home and a 6-0 lead.

Clarkdale got a hit apiece from Brian Mabry, Brewer, JustinHinson, Dusty Webb, Brent Mabry and Adam White.

Loyd Star 8, Clarkdale 6

The Hornets jumped on the Bulldogs for a 1-0 lead in the firstinning. They led 3-0 in the third inning and 5-0 in the fourth.Loyd Star added three more runs to secure the win. The Bulldogsbattled back in the final two innings to score three runs apieceand cut the deficit to two runs.

Seth Britt (6-2) was the winning pitcher with Jared Britt alsoseeing action in the seventh. Dusty Webb was the loser on themound.

Directing Loyd Star with a home run and a double was Seth Britt.Jared Britt doubled and singled. Also doubling was Portrey.Delaughter singled twice.