The Wesson Cobras captured the first game of the three gameseries with a huge 4-1 victory over their district rivals the LoydStar Hornets in Region 6-2A baseball action Tuesday night on SmithField.

“We knew coming into the game that it will be a tough series likealways, especially when these two rivalry schools meet,” saidWesson coach Seth Lofton.

The Cobras (6-7, 3-1) return home to host the Hornets (12-2, 3-1)for a division double-header beginning at 5 p.m.

Wesson 4, Loyd Star 1

Baseball fans witnessed an epic pitchers duel battling it out togive their schools a chance to win. Loyd Star drew blood first byscoring their only run in the first inning.

Wesson answered back in the fourth inning by capturing a 3-1 leadover the Hornets. Matt Smith provided the Cobras some breathingroom in the sixth inning as he smashed a solo home run increasingWesson’s lead to 4-1 and the win.

Senior right-hander Matt Smith conducted a dominating pitchingperformance for the Cobras as he went the distance collecting 11strikeouts and 5 walks. Korey Allen absorbed the setback for theHornets with 6 strikeouts and two walks.

“Matt (Smith) pitched an excellent game for us,” continued Lofton.”Our defense stepped up their game and was solid behind him. Wealso managed to put the ball in play on offense to bring in someruns.”

Smith was the offensive leader for Wesson with the home run. HunterHood contributed two singles. Hitting safely were Gib Britt, PaxtonCupit and Gage Wilson

Senior centerfielder Marquis Hayes was the only hitter to lead theHornets offense with a double and a single.

“Both pitchers pitched an outstanding game, it was too bad thatsomeone had to lose,” said Loyd Star’s Jonathan Breakfield. “Mattdid a great job keeping us off balance with his pitches.

“A bounce here or there in the game and it could have changed thedifference,” continued Breakfield. “Overall, I give Matt the credithe did a great job on the mound. It is very hard for us to win ifyou strikeout 11 times.”