The visiting West Lincoln Lady Bears captured the Division7-1A/2A title Thursday night after posting a tough 2-0 win over theLoyd Star Lady Hornets in fastpitch softball action. The losseliminated Loyd Star from the playoffs.

West Lincoln will host Richton for in the first-round Saturdaybeginning at 3 p.m. The playoffs are under the best-of-threeformat.

“Defense was the key,” said West Lincoln head coach Andrew Reddfollowing the win. “We got a couple of key hits. We did a super jobplaying defense.”

With one out in the top of the second inning, West Lincoln thirdbaseman Britnee Smith doubled. Centerfielder Carrie Fauver was hitby a pitch and put on first base. Second baseman Kacey Smith rippeda hard double to score Britnee Smith. Fauver stole home plate on aground out by Keri Easley with two out.

“We had a good season,” said Loyd Star head coach JanDelaughter. “We made too many errors in the second inning. Theyounger girls were hitting the ball.”

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Loyd Star had two runners onbase but could not score.

Heather Huff (12-4) was the winning pitcher with 2 strikeoutsand a hit batter. Caroline Burks (17-9) fanned 3 batters and hit 2batters.

Adding a single apiece for West Lincoln were Fauver andHuff.

Right fielder Haley Sones, an eighth grader, led Loyd Star withtwo singles. Hitting safely were Calleye Douglas, Amber Restivo,Ariel Hunsucker, Abby Delaughter and Burks.

Junior varsity

Emily Smith tripled and scored the game winning run as Loyd Starclipped West Lincoln in JV action. Laura Britt singled for the LadyHornets.

Brooke Delaughter posted the win in relief of starterHunsucker.