Jordan Hayes struck out 7 batters and scattered 6 hits in pitching a 4-0 Saturday night shutout against the host Loyd Star Hornets in Game 2 of the Class 2A South State Championship series. Hayes, a junior right-hander, did not issue a base on balls but he hit 1 batter as a large crowd watched his performance on Smith Field.

Taylorsville (28-4) swept the best-of-three series after beating the Hornets 11-3 Thursday night at Taylorsville. The Tartars face the winner of the East Union-Baldwyn series later this week in the 2A State Championship series at Trustmark Park in Pearl.

“It’s a tough way to end the season,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “We just couldn’t get the key hits to help (Caleb) Yarborough.”

Yarborough, a sophomore southpaw, struck out 8 batters, walked e and allowed 5 hits. His teammates committed 2 errors.

Loyd Star (23-10) loaded the bases in the fourth and sixth innings but was unable to get the clutch hits when needed.

Centerfielder Seth Farmer led Loyd Star’s offensive 3 singles. Catcher Logan Smith singled twice.

“Jordan Hayes had a great pitching performance for us,” said Taylorsville coach Dusty Hillman. “He set the tone of the game for us. Our guys helped him with timely hits.

“Loyd Star is a scrappy ball club and they are well-coached,” said Hillman. His team was runner-up to Bruce in last year’s state championship series.

A double and a single by junior left-fielder Jarvis Griffith led the Tartars in batting. Griffith’s 2-run double highlighted a 3-run, fourth-inning explosion.