On a chilly Friday night, the Loyd Star Hornets warmed up their bats with a 16-0 trouncing of Jefferson County’s Tigers on Smith Field.

It was a reverse situation Saturday as the St. Andrew’s Saints hung a 10-0 shutout on the Hornets in Ridgeland.

Loyd Star (17-5) invades Lumberton Friday for a 6 p.m. game in the opening round of the Class 2A state playoffs. The Hornets host Lumberton Saturday as the best-of-three series continues, starting at 3 p.m. If a third game is necessary, it will follow 30 minutes after the completion of Game 2.

Loyd Star 16, Jefferson 0

Sophomore Peyton Flowers (4-0) pitched the victory, allowing just 1 hit. He struck out 5 batters and walked 1.

Christian Day was the losing pitcher. He fanned 3 batters and walked 1, allowing a dozen hits. He accounted for his team’ s only hit, a first-inning single.

Two hits apiece by leftfielder Caleb Yarborough and third baseman Branden Canny led Loyd Star. Centerfielder Seth Farmer and first baseman Josh Hodges doubled. Cori Crowe, Logan Smith, Brendyn Brister, Braden Smith, Brett Calcote and Edrick Alsworth singled.

The Hornets exploded for 12 runs in the bottom of the first and plated 4 more in the second. They capitalized on 6 errors.

SA 10, Loyd Star 0

“We came out flat and didn’t play well,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “St. Andrew’s is a pretty good hitting team.”

Daniel Gallarro was the winning pitcher. He struck out 5 Hornets, walked 2 and allowed 3 hits.

Canny (1K, 0BB) started for Loyd Star. He allowed 7 runs (6 earned) on 6 hits.

Crowe (2K, 1BB) replaced Canny on the mound in the second and hurled the final 3 innings. He allowed just 1 hit.

Farmer singled twice for Loyd Star. Logan Smith singled.

Leading the Saints on offense was Connor Woodall with 2 singles. Collecting singles were Daniel Brister, Baylor Obert, William Rowell, Bennie Kirkland and Gallarro singled.

The Hornets committed 3 errors. The Saints scored 6 runs in the first, 3 in the second and 1 in the third.

“We have worked hard all year to make the playoffs,” said Coach Britt. “Now it’s time to have some fun. Hopefully our bats will warm up.”

Junior Varsity Results

Loyd Star beat St. Andrew’s 5-1 in the preliminary JV game. Levi Redd was the winning pitcher.

At the plate, Redd had a 2-RBI double. Flowers, T.K. Patterson, Brett Calcote and Dorian Beard singled.