Loyd Star hosted Bay Springs for game one of their first round playoff series in the 2A state playoffs Thursday night.

It took the Hornets just four innings to take game one as they took control of the game in the third inning by scoring seven runs and cruised to the win. Behind pitching and defense, Loyd Star won the game 13-0.

Despite the Hornets loading the bases in the bottom of the first, they were unable to bring any runs home. Loyd Star got on the board in the bottom of the second, when junior Cade Hodges scored on an error by Bay Springs. Sophomore Dylan Case followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Loyd Star.

The Hornets came to life in the bottom of the third and put seven runs on the board. Hodges and senior Bradyn Brister both brought in a run with RBI singles. With one out, Case brought two runs in on an RBI single to blow the gates open. Thanks to errors by Bay Springs and timely hitting, Loyd Star jumped on the scoreboard and took command the rest of the game.

The Hornets put the game away in the bottom of the fourth by tacking on four more runs. Sophomore Bay Springs got a runner on in their half of the fourth inning, but couldn’t bring the runner in as the Hornets came up big to end the game.

Hodges pitched three shutout innings with seven strikeouts, no walks and no hits to pick up the win for the Hornets. Konner Allen pitched the final inning in relief of Hodges, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out one. Jaccario Ducksworth took the loss on the mound for Bay Springs.

“We’re happy to get the first playoff win under our belt, but I felt like the kids were not mentally prepared and I place that on me.” Loyd Star head coach Jared Britt said. “They picked up the intensity in the third inning and were able to put the game away.”

Loyd Star will travel to Bay Springs tonight for game two. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.