SAND HILL – The Loyd Star Hornets suffered their first loss in playoff action Thursday night falling to the Pisgah Dragons 6-1 in game two of the Class 2A state baseball playoffs.

“We came out flat and did not come ready to play,” said Loyd Star coach Jared Britt. “When you give a team five unearned runs because of four errors and score only one run you will not win many playoff games. We have to come out tomorrow with a hunger and a sense of urgency to hopefully pull out a big win.”

The Hornets (18-6) will host the Dragons for a decisive game three Friday night at Smith Field. Game time is at 6:30 p.m.

Pisgah 6, Loyd Star 1 

In game two action in Sand Hill, the Pisgah Dragons came out and quickly jumped on the Loyd Star Hornets in the first inning of action to take a early 1-0 lead.

The Dragons relied on their defense to keep the Hornets’ explosive offense scoreless until the sixth inning, while they added to their lead by scoring two runs in the bottom of the third inning and two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to secure a 5-0 advantage.

The Hornets finally managed to break through the Dragons’ defense in the top of the sixth inning and scored one run to end Pisgah’s bid for a shut out.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Pisgah plated one more run to push their lead back to a five run advantage at 6-1 and held on for the win.

Jay Hales was the winning pitcher for the Dragons with four strikeouts and two walks.

Levi Redd (5-1) suffered the setback on the mound for Loyd Star with three strikeouts and no walks.

Caleb Yarborough, Brett Calcote, Bradyn Brister and Cole Smith were the top hitters at the plate for the Hornets with a single each.

Hales powered the Dragons’ offensive attack with four singles. Aiden Bradford and Triston Derrick contributed two singles apiece.