The Loyd Star Hornets dominated the Puckett Wolves in an 11-1 victory Friday night in the first game of a best-of-three series in the Class 2A playoffs.

In Saturday’s contest, the Hornets (21-7) were up 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs, before the umpires postponed the game due to a severe thunderstorm in the area. The game will resume Monday at 6 p.m.

“The boys came out ready to play and set the tone early giving Cade Hodges some big run support,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “I’m proud of them for staying focused and playing hard. Hopefully we can go over Monday and stay focused.”

Loyd Star 11, Puckett 1

The Hornets set the tone of the contest early, plating three runs in the first.

In the top of the second, the Wolves threatened to put together a rally of their own. They loaded the bases, but Loyd Star held strong, recording two strikeouts and catching a deep fly ball to centerfield to keep Puckett scoreless.

Loyd Star added to its lead in the second, third and fourth innings. Levi Redd hit a two-run homerun in second. Conner Allen hit a deep, sacrifice fly to scored James Beard in the third, and the Hornets exploded with a four-run surge in the fourth, plating four more runs to extend their lead to 10-0.

Puckett managed to score its only run in the fifth inning to break up Loyd Star’s shutout, but the Hornets would end the contest in the bottom half when Tucker Watts nailed a homerun to secure the win in a five-inning contest.

Cade Hodges had a dominating performance on the mound for Loyd Star. He allowed only three hits in the game and finished with five strikeouts and five walks.

Payton White suffered the loss. Cortez Parker and Jacob Plunkett also pitched for the Wolves in relief.

Levi Redd led the Hornets with a two-run homerun and a single. Tucker Watts contributed a solo homerun and a single. James Beard provided a triple, a single and had two RBIs. Konner Allen had a double and a RBI. Cade Hodges hit a single and had a RBI. Hitting safely for the Hornets were Parker Flowers and Lamar Lang.

Timothy Vanderford, Jacob Plunkett and John Robert White were the leaders for the Wolves with a single each.