The Loyd Star Lady Hornets defeated the Clinton Lady Arrows 3-1 in Monday night at Jan Smith Delaughter Field.

“The girls played really well offensively and defensively,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “McKenzie Smith pitched a good game for us. Overall, I am glad to get the win against a good team like Clinton.”

The Lady Hornets (3-2) will return to action Saturday as they travel to Monticello to participate in the Lawrence County softball tournament. Loyd Star will face Franklin County at 12 p.m. and Salem at 4:30 p.m.

Lady Hornets 3, Lady Arrows 1 

The Lady Hornets and the Lady Arrows battled in scoreless contest through the first two innings of action, before Clinton managed to plate one run in the top of the third.

The Lady Hornets rallied back in the bottom of the fifth to steal the win from the Lady Arrows, scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead. They held on for the win.

McKenzie Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Hornets with three strikeouts and two walks.

Kaeleigh Crutchfield suffered the loss for the Lady Arrows with 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Madison Jones was the top hitter for the Lady Hornets at the plate with a double and two singles. Kelsey McCullough provided two singles. Smith ripped a double and Megan North hit a single.

“We did not come ready to play,” said Clinton coach and Lincoln County native Karla Beth White. “The girls played hard, but we did not make the plays defensively behind our pitcher to get the win.”

White, formerly known as Karla Beth Hux, returned to Lincoln County for the first time as Clinton’s first year head fastpitch softball coach. She played softball and graduated from both Enterprise and Co-Lin, before moving on to Mississippi College.

In junior varsity action,  Loyd Star beat Clinton 2-0.

Marley Poole (3K, 5BB) and Aly Floyd (2K, 0BB) worked together in the pitcher’s circle to earn the win for the Lady Hornets.

Kiara Vance suffered the loss for Clinton with six strikeouts and three walks.

Malori Cade directed the Lady Hornets with two singles. Faith Bergeron had a double. Meagan Poole and Marley Poole hit safely.