The visiting North Pike Jaguars handed the Loyd Star Hornets a15-8 beating Saturday afternoon in baseball action.

North Pike improved to 7-3 with the win. Loyd Star (2-0 inDivision 6-1A play) falls to 6-8 on the season.

The Jaguars out hit the Hornets 15-8 at the plate. North Pikecommitted 3 errors to Loyd Star’s 2.

“We hit the ball extremely well,” said North Pike coach GeorgeLott. “I was very pleased.”

The winning pitcher was Jeremy Lofton (1-1) with 5 strikeoutsand 2 walks. Kyle James absorbed the loss, striking out 6 battersand walking 4.

“Jeremy pitched excellent,” added Lott. “I wanted him to pitch acomplete game but I kept him in too long. Loyd Star is an excellentteam. I was proud of the way we played against them.”

Loyd Star led 2-1 after the first inning. North Pike tied thegame at 2-all in the top of the third with 1 run.

In the top of the fifth, the Jaguars exploded for 9 runs for an11-2 lead and followed with 4 more in the sixth for a 15-2 lead.The Hornets broke loose for 5 runs in the bottom of the sixth and 1in the seventh but fell short of the tie.

“We played poorly,” said Loyd Star head coach Sydney Wheatley.”Mentally we did not play good on the field and didn’t hit theball. We must practice and practice hard next week to get ready forthe district games.”

Senior catcher Matthew Delaughter led Loyd Star with a doubleand a single. Tyler Cunningham singled twice. Jared Britt, DavidCuevas and Austin Fagan. Patrick Holcomb singled.

Junior varsity

North Pike clipped Loyd Star 5-0.

Loyd Star travels to St. Andrew’s Tuesday for Division 6-2Aaction. The junior varsity game begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by thevarsity at 6:30.

North Pike is at Port Gibson for Division 7-3A play Tuesday witha varsity game set for 3:30. No JV game is scheduled.