Wesson, Loyd Star duke it out on fog covered field

Published 5:00 am Monday, April 3, 2006

WESSON — Friday night’s slugfest between the Wesson Cobras andthe Loyd Star Hornets was played under a cloud of fog (literally)and was what you would expect when these two baseball teams meet.It was exciting.

For 4 1/2 innings, Loyd Star led Wesson 7-2 while a thickblanket of fog took home in the outfield. The Cobras, fog and all,rallied back for 9 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and heldon for a key 11-8 Region 6-2A win.

Wesson (15-3) improved to 6-1 in the division play. Loyd Star(10-7) fell to 2-3 with the loss.

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Because of the afternoon rains, there was no junior varsity gamebetween the two clubs.

“You hate to blame it on the fog,” said Loyd Star head coachJonathan Breakfield. “I have never seen fog like that. I didn’twant to ask for them to call the game. It played a big role in thefifth inning. You have to give them (Wesson) credit. They played inthe same fog as we did. We didn’t make the plays when we neededto.”

“It was a wild ball game in the first half,” said Wesson headbaseball coach Hugh Knight. “Loyd Star spanked our butts in thefirst half. We made some errors to start with and Loyd Star hit theball . They put it into play.

“Going down 7-2, we didn’t quit,” continued Knight. “We keptplugging in. We started to make some good plays.”

The Hornets didn’t waste any time putting runs on thescoreboard. After the first strikeouts, Michael Britt walked andcatcher Tyler Williford smashed a two-run homer over centerfieldfence for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Micah Davis walked and Mason Warrensingled. Daniel Watson singled to score Warren and cut the deficitto 2-1.

Loyd Star continued swinging away in the top of the second forthree more runs and a 5-1 lead. DH John Floyd advance for first ona Wesson error. With out one , Jeremy James walked and Cayce Falveybunted to lo ad the bases. Patrick Holcomb singled, scoring Floydfor a 3-1 lead and forcing Falvey out at second base. Britt buntedthen stole second base on a Cobra throwing error while two moreruns scored before the final out was made.

The top of the third saw the Hornets continued to take advantageof Cobra mistakes for two more runs and a 7-1 advantage. Rogers andFloyd hit back-to-back singles. Kyle James and Josh McCaffreysingled to score Rogers and Floyd who also stole bases.

Wesson came back with a run in the bottom of the fourth,trimming Loyd Star’s led to 7-2. Brandon Hood advance to first on aHornet error. Chris Fink ripped a blooper to the outfield followedby Davis to centerfield, scoring Hood.

By now the fog had settled into the outfield where it wassometimes difficult to see the players, but the game continued.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, the Cobras made theircomeback with nine runs for an 11-7 lead. The scored the runs onsix walks, four hits and two errors.

The Hornets came back with one run in the top of the sixth totrim the deficit to 11-8 when Britt drilled a double intocenterfield to score Holcomb with two out.

The winning pitcher was senior Corey Puckett who went thedistance. Puckett (5-2) struck out 3 batters, walked 3 and allowed8 hits in the win.

“I’m tired,” smiled Puckett after the win. “I pitched a goodgame. My breaking ball started working toward the end of the game.It felt good to win.

“Both teams played hard,” continued Puckett. “Good luck to LoydStar in district play.”

Knight expected a lot from his Puckett.

“I think he (Puckett) got stronger as the game went on,” statedKnight. “We had control problem early on. After the third inning,he began to settle down. Corey is a senior and a leader. I’mcounting on him to do that.”

Absorbing the loss was Jared Rogers (who worked the first 4 2/3innings with 3 strikeouts, 5 walks and 3 hits allowed. TylerWilliford, who had been catching, worked for 4 batters when Holcombtook over and Williford returned behind the plate. Holcomb tookover catching duties while Williford was on the mound. Holcombfinished in with 2 strikeouts 1 walk and 2 hits allowed.

Doubling for Wesson were Davis and Brandon Hood. Singling wereFink, Brandt Hood, Peets, Watson and Warren.

Britt finished with a double and two singles for Loyd Star.Rogers singled twice. Floyd, James and Falvey hit safely.

Wesson is at McLaurin Tuesday night for two games. The juniorvarsity begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by the varsity at 6:30.

Loyd Star hosts St. Andrews for a makeup game Tuesday thentravels to St. Andrew’s Friday for two games.