The Loyd Star Lady Hornets (18-4) exploded for six runs in the third inning Monday and rode that momentum to a 7-2 win over the Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats (11-6-1) in the final Region 7-2A game of the season for both teams.

Loyd Star outhit BC 9-6 as they finished division play with a perfect 6-0 record. Bogue Chitto and West Lincoln have identical 3-3 region records but the Lady Bobcats hold the tie-breaker for second place after beating WL by 10 runs and losing by one in their second matchup.

The Lady Hornets got cooking in the third when leadoff batter Baylee Zumbro reached on a single. Aubrey Britt then reached on an error that moved Zumbro to third. Leadoff batter Carson Hughey doubled to score Zumbro and Britt and then scored on a Mallory Cade double to make it 3-0.

Meagan Poole was then hit by a pitch and Johnna Norman walked. Alyssa Leggett drew a bases-loaded walk which scored another run. Carly Beth Wallace was hit by a pitch which scored Poole. An Aly Floyd single scored the final run of the frame when Norman crossed the plate.

A Norman single in the fourth scored Cade and put LS up 7-0. BC got on the board in the fifth when Julie Anna Bartram hit a single that scored Karly Leake and Alece Nettles.

“We were more patient at the plate,” said Loyd Star coach Jan Delaughter. “We started hitting balls in the strike zone and became more selective.”

Julianna Frazier started in the circle for BC and went three innings and gave up five earned runs on 39 pitches. Codi Leggett and Gracie Guynes pitched in relief for the Lady Cats.

Floyd picked up the pitching win for Loyd Star. She gave up three hits, two earned runs and struck out two on 89 pitches over six innings.

Floyd only walked three batters all game, but all came in the fifth when BC scored their two runs.

“Aly pitched well other than the walks in the fifth,” said Delaughter. “She forced pop ups and catchable balls for out.”

Loyd Star travels to Brookhaven High Thursday. Next week they’ll close their season out with game at home against Lawrence County and Puckett. Friday, Bogue Chitto hosts Ethel and Saturday they play at North Pike. Next week they’ll play games against Columbia High and Wesson to tune up for the post-season.

Loyd Star will have an opening round bye when the playoffs begin April 19. Bogue Chitto will match up with the third seed from Region 5-2A which will likely be Bay Springs in the opening round. Loyd Star will most likely face the winner of an opening round pairing between St. Patrick and Puckett after their bye.