MADISON — Southpaw Jared Britt tossed a 4-hitter and the LoydStar Hornets beat St. Joseph’s Bruins 9-2 Wednesday, securing theirthird straight Division 6-2A championship. Britt went 7 innings,giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He walked 1 batter and struck out 7 asthe Bruins rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The Hornets raised their record to 12-10 overall and 8-1 in thedivision. The victory clinched Loyd Star’s third straight divisiontitle as the Hornets realized one of their preseason goals.

Loyd Star will host the first round of the state tournamentplayoffs, starting Friday, April 23. Under a new format, it will bea 4-team, double-elimination affair, including the No. 1 and 4teams from Division 6 and the No. 2 and 3 teams from Division7.

“I thought we played well and hit the ball hard at times,” saidLoyd Star coach Sidney Wheatley after the title clincher. “Jaredpitched very well. Our defense is playing real well lately.”

Hornet catcher Matthew Delaughter launched a mammoth 3-run homerin the top of the seventh, clearing the 401 sign in deep centerfield by several feet.

Centerfielder Patrick Holcomb tripled and rightfielder LeeNewell doubled for Loyd Star. Leftfielder Cody Cunningham,Delaughter and Britt each had 2 hits. The Hornets got singles fromAustin Fagan, Justin Whatley.

In Tuesday’s action, Loyd Star overwhelmed the Piney WoodsTornadoes, winning a division twinbill 25-0 and 15-0.

Loyd Star 15, Piney Woods 0

Williford, the winning pitcher, held Piney Woods hitless in 3innings. He walked 2 batters and fanned 6.

Holcomb pitched the final frame.

Whatley homered for Loyd Star and collected 3 hits.

Loyd Star 25, Piney Woods 0

Winning pitcher Cody Cunningham pitched a no-hitter. He struckout 6 batters and walked 1.

Third baseman Austin Fagan slugged 3 homers in the rout andfinished with 4 hits. He homered twice in the first inning andcollected 8 RBI for the game.

Delaughter and Britt also homered. Holcomb and first basemanDavid Cuevas had 3 hits apiece.

Loyd Star hosts St. Andrew’s today instead of Good Friday,starting at 4:30 with a JV game and followed by the varsity at6:30. On Saturday, Loyd Star hosts nationally-ranked powerhousePetal, starting at noon with a JV game. The varsity game starts at2 p.m.