Loyd Star Coach Jan Delaughter says she preaches “making contact” with her fastpitch softball team and apparently they’ve been listening to the sermon.

Trailing in the fifth inning Tuesday night at West Lincoln, the Lady Hornets got a bases-loaded, two-out pop fly to centerfield that appeared to be a rally killer. But when the center fielder lost the ball in the lights, the Loyd Star girls took advantage and scored three to take a lead that would last.

It was a chilly night for softball. The temperature dipped into the 40’s by the end of the game, but it didn’t keep the West Lincoln and Loyd Star fans from cheering on their diamond girls.

The Lady Hornets improved to 7-1 with the close 12-11 win over their new cross-county Region rivals. West Lincoln moved up to 2A this year and has proved to be a tough competitor. “West Lincoln really hits the ball well up and down their lineup,” said Coach Delaughter.

The Lady Bears jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Loyd Star tied it in the second. A big 7-run fourth inning, led by a beautiful bunt from West Lincoln’s Alli Mullins and a bases-clearing triple by Malori Hall, gave the Lady Bears a commanding 9-4 lead, but they couldn’t hold it.

West Lincoln hurler Malori Hall, in to relieve starter Micah Redd, ran into control problems in the fifth and walked the bases loaded. She allowed two runs to score and got two outs before Lexie Butler’s fatal pop fly to center. The miscue gave the Lady Hornets a 12-9 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.

Loyd Star starter Mackenzie Smith, a ninth grader, tossed a three-up, three-down sixth and allowed just two runs in the seventh to preserve the win.

Smith had some help, including several web gems by shortstop Abigail Thornton, another ninth grader. “With just one senior, we’ve got a very young team,” said Coach Delaughter. “I’m proud of how they’ve come together.”

Coach Andrew Redd’s Lady Bears fell to 8-3 with the loss.

West Lincoln’s Malori Hall lead at the plate with a triple and a double. Hanna Moak provided a triple and a single. Destiny Allen ripped a double and a single. Layton Sills and Alli Mullins hit a pair of singles. Peyton White ripped a triple. Hanna Moak, Brianna Fauver and Destiny Allen had two hits each. Bentley Sills singled.

Loyd Star was led by Abigail Thornton with a triple and a single. Ali Gartman contributed two singles. Kelsie McCullough had a double. Megan and Lexie Butler hit safely.

Smith (1K, 1BB) went the distance for Loyd Star. She gave up 11 hits, but had great control and allowed just one walk.

Up next for Loyd Star is a trip to McComb Friday. West Lincoln plays at Enterprise Thursday.

In junior varsity action,  West Lincoln defeated Loyd Star. McKenzie Pyles (1K, 1BB) tossed the win for the Lady Bears.

Millane Lewis powered the Lady Bears with a home run and a triple. MaKennah fueled the flames with a home run, a double and a single. Addie Spring contributed two singles. Hitting safely were Lexie Leggett, Anna Davis, Cadie Maxwell, Megan Gerald, Demesha Deer and Pyles.