MADISON — The Loyd Star Hornets and the Madison St. JosephBruins split a Division 6-2A baseball doubleheader Thursdaynight.

St. Joe won the first game 5-4 and Loyd Star came back in thesecond game to post a 9-6 win. The second contest was originallyscheduled for Loyd Star tonight, but because of threateningweather, it was played last night.

Loyd Star, coached by Jonathan Breakfield, is back home Mondayto host Natchez Cathedral for a doubleheader. The junior varsitygame begins at 4 p.m. followed by the varsity at 6.

With the split, Loyd Star is 5-3 in the division and 15-3 on theseason.

St. Joseph 5, Loyd Star 4

Loyd Star collected 4 runs in the top of the fourth to cut thedeficit to 5-4 but could not tie the game.

Justin Franciskato (4-1) was the winning pitcher with 2strikeouts and 3 walks. Absorbing the loss was Evan Smith(3-3).

Leading Loyd Star at the plate with a double was John Floyd.John Smith, Drew Weaver, Travis Keene and J.J. Jones singled.

For St. Joe, Michael Luley led with a triple. Singling wereMyles Pritchard, Michael Bokros, James Fitzgerald, Calvin Long andFranciskato.

Loyd Star 9, St. Joseph 6

St. Joe led Loyd Star 2-0 for four innings when the Hornetsbroke loose for 3 runs in the fifth and 6 runs in the sixth for a9-2 lead. The Bruins added 4 runs in the top of the seventh but thehosts retired the visitors for the win.

Nailing the win was Weaver (5-) with 5 strikeouts and 1 walks.The losing hurler was Bokros (1-2) with 4 strikeouts and 1walk.

Keene smashed a home run and a double for the Hornets. Weaverdoubled twice. J.J. Jones doubled. Collecting 2 singles each wereLeebo Bairfield and John Smith. T.J. Floyd and Cayce Falvey hitsafely.

St. Joe got 2 singles from Michael Luley.