Hornets win game three over Puckett

Published 3:45 am Sunday, April 27, 2014

The Loyd Star Hornets quickly took care of business in Saturday contest as they hammered the Puckett Wolves 16-6 to win game three in the first round of the Class 2A state baseball playoff race at Smith Field.

“We came out and hit the ball well,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “Our pitchers threw well, and the guys did a good job playing behind them. Now we need to rest up and start preparing for a tough series against Taylorsville Thursday.”

In game two action at Puckett, the Wolves came ready to play Friday as they staved off elimination by defeating the Hornets 7-6.

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In game one at Loyd Star, the Hornets overpowered the Wolves to claim a 14-4 victory.

The Hornets (16-10) advance to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs and will travel to play Taylorsville Thursday. Loyd Star returns home to host Taylorsville Friday. If a third game is needed it will be at Taylorsville Saturday. Game times have not been determined.

Loyd Star 14, Puckett 4 

The Hornets and Wolves battled in a close contest as Puckett managed to maintain a 2-1 lead until the bottom of the fourth inning when Loyd Star exploded with a nine-run blast to retake the lead at 10-2.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Wolves rallied back and cut down Loyd Star’s lead to 10-4, but the Hornets answered in the bottom of the fifth by pushing across four runs to evoke the 10-run mercy run and gain the victory.

Caleb Yarborough (7-1) was the winning pitcher for the Hornets with six strikeouts and five walks.

Cortez Parker suffered the loss for the Wolves with no strikeouts and four walks.

Brett Calcote powered Loyd Star’s offense at the plate with a home run and two singles. Seth Farmer continued to fuel the flames with a triple and two singles. Bradyn Brister contributed a double and a single. Hayden Brownlee ripped a pair of singles. Yarborough had a double. Hitting safely were Konner Allen and Darian Beard.

Anfernee Funchess was the top hitter for Puckett with two singles. Jacob Huff provided a double. Chase Archibald and Parker hit safely.

Puckett 7, Loyd Star 6 

The Hornets came out strong and quickly set the tone early in the first inning as they grabbed a 5-0 lead.

Puckett, refusing to give up, battling back and outscoring Loyd Star 7-1 throughout the rest of the contest to force a third game.

Tavon Parker pitched the win for the Wolves with six strikeouts and three walks.

Peyton Flowers suffered the setback for the Hornets with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Calcote was the top hitter for Loyd Star with a double and a single. Peyton Flowers contributed a pair of singles. Hayden Brownlee had a double.

Jacob Huff paced the Wolves at the plate with two singles. Hitting safely were Timothy Vanderslice, Parker Vinson, Funchess, Archibald and Parker.

Loyd Star 16, Puckett 6 

The Hornets had no problems on closing the book on the Puckett Wolves as Levi Redd (3K, 3BB) and Caleb Yarborough (4K, 0BB) were lights out for Loyd Star on the mound.

Archibald took the loss for the Wolves with no strikeouts and four walks.

Calcote sparked the Hornets’ offense with a three-run home run and a single. Flowers added a double and two singles. Brister and Brownlee provided a double and a single apiece. Yarborough had two singles. Redd hit safely.

Huff was the top slugger for the Wolves with a solo home run and a three-run home run. Ty Garrett blasted a two-run home run and Parker singled.