ACKERMAN – Loyd Star’s Hornets were on the brink of winning on the road Thursday night, but Ackerman’s Logan Black slapped a 2-RBI double in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Indians escaped with a muddy, 5-4 triumph in the quarterfinals of the Class 2A South baseball playoffs. It capped a 3-run Ackerman comeback in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

Loyd Star (19-7) hosts Ackerman tonight at 6 p.m. on Smith Field, weather permitting. A Loyd Star victory would force Game 3 at Ackerman Saturday, starting at 3 p.m.

“We may need our rubber boots but we are sure going to try and play,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “It was nasty and wet at Ackerman.”

Branden Canny (7K 8BB) was the losing pitcher. He allowed 2 hits and was replaced by Cori Crowe with the bases loaded and the Hornets up 4-3.

Logan Black hit Crowe’s first pitch for a double in the right-center gap to win the game and drive in 2 runs.

“We controlled the game for six and a half innings,” said Coach Britt. “It started raining in the seventh inning and I think it threw off Canny’s rhythm.”

Right-hander Dakota Brasher (5K, 2BB) was the wining pitcher, giving up 7 hits.

Catcher Logan Smith hit a solo homer in the second inning, which gave he Hornets a 1-0 lead.

Loyd Star finished with 7 hits. Smith led the way with 2 hits. Crowe doubled. Canny, Seth Farmer, Brett Calcote and Braden Smith singled.

Ackerman (15-9) scored twice in the bottom of the second and led 2-1.

Class 1A Results

West Lincoln lost a 10-7 decision to Heritage Academy Thursday night in a Class 1A playoff game that was moved to Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson.

Game 2 is set for tonight at West Lincoln.