The Loyd Star Lady Hornets defeated the Pisgah Lady Dragons 2-0 Wednesday night to advance to the Class 2A South State Championship.

“Glad to get the win and advance to the South State Championship,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “Our defense was the difference of the game. Makenzie pitched a good game and our defense was strong behind her. Offensively, we did not hit the ball very well, but the girls fought hard to make the plays that we needed to win the game.”

The Lady Hornets (23-7) will host the Taylorsville Lady Tartars in the first game Friday at Jan Smith Delaughter Field. Loyd Star will travel to Taylorsville Saturday for the second and third game, if needed. Game times have not set.

Lady Hornets 2, Lady Dragons 0

The Lady Hornets scored the first run of the contest in the bottom of the first and added another run in the fifth to secure a 2-0 lead.

Makenzie Smith provided a solid performance on the rubber to collect the win. She had six strikeouts and two walks.

Faith Ashley suffered the loss for the Lady Dragons with three strikeouts and three walks in six innings of work. AG Stewart (0K, 0BB) pitched the seventh inning in relief.

Makenzie Smith, Abigail Thornton, Meagan Poole and Ali Gartman directed the Lady Hornets with a single each.

AG Stewart recorded the only hit at the plate for the Lady Dragons with a single.