As a team advances deep into the baseball playoffs, pitchingbecomes a prime concern for any coach and his team. The St. JohnEagles of Gulfport got a solid performance from starter PaulRoberts Friday night at host Loyd Star’s Hornet Field.

St. John escaped Hornet Field with a 4-3 win over Loyd Star inGame 1 of the best-of-three series of the South State semifinalsClass 2A playoffs.

St. John improves to 19-9 while Loyd Star fell to 20-9.

Game 2 of the series was rained out Saturday in Gulfport. Itwill be played Monday at 2 p.m.

Roberts and Hornet junior southpaw Kyle James had a duel goingfor nearly 5 innings as both hurlers went the distance. Robertsallowed 3 earned runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and fanning 6 Hornetbatters in picking up the win.

James (3-2) suffered the loss, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 4hits. He walked 2 and struck out 1.

“Both pitchers did a good job tonight,” said Hornet head coachJonathan Breakfield. “They (Eagles) made the plays and we didnot.”

The Eagles opened the scoring in the top half of the fifth totake a 1-0 lead. Third baseman Brian Caswell reached base on aHornet fielding error and advanced to second on a passed ball.Catcher Jordan Salloum singled. First baseman Jordan Marshall’ssacrifice fly to rightfield scored Caswell.

St. John, coached by Joe Sam Owen, extended its lead to 2-0 inthe top of the sixth. With no outs, centerfielder Evan Bertuccireached first after he was hit by a pitch. Centerfielder JustinEdwards reached on a Hornet fielding error. Rightfielder JohnPayton Hood grounded into a 6-4-3 double play that moved Bertuccito third. Caswell singled to score Bertucci.

Loyd Star tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth as theHornets had 4 hits in their 6 plate appearances. Leadoff hitterPatrick Holcomb and catcher Tyler Williford both had singles. Firstbaseman Austin Fagan’s sacrifice ground out to second scoredHolcomb. James’ single scored Williford.

Roberts would aid his cause at the plate in the top of theseventh, giving St. John a 4-2 advantage. With 2 outs, secondbaseman Kyle Ladner walked. Roberts, on a 1-0 pitch, took a Jamesfastball over the left fence for a 2-run homer.

The Hornets added a single run in the bottom of the seventh.With 1 out, rightfielder Brent Fielder singled. Leftfielder ScottFarmer singled. Fielder moved to third and later scored on a pairof passed balls by Roberts.

Roberts walked Holcomb, fanned Williford and walked Fagan toload the bases. James popped up to third base to end the game.

“Loyd Star has a good ballclub,” Odom said following the game.”They got some timely hits.

“Roberts gave us a good effort tonight,” added Odom.

Loyd Star got a pair of singles from Holcomb. Williford doubled.Michael Britt, James, Fielder and Farmer each singled at theplate.

For St. John, Salloum singled twice followed by Caswell with asingle.