Softball Game Preview: Loyd Star Hornets vs. Lawrence County Cougars

The Loyd Star Hornets will challenge the Lawrence County Cougars at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.

Loyd Star is looking to give their home crowd another W after opening their season at home on Thursday. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Tylertown a 16-0 shutout.

Ann Claire Case made a big impact no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. Case was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-2. The dominant performance also gave her a new career-high in RBI (two).

In other batting news, Adi Holcomb was a standout: she scored two runs and stole a base while getting on base in all three of her plate appearances. Another player making a difference was Ava Herring, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-2.

Loyd Star hit smart and finished the game with only one strikeout. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now struck out at most three strikeouts in six consecutive matches dating back to last season.

Meanwhile, Lawrence County had to kick off their season on the road on Thursday, but they showed no ill effects. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past Enterprise 5-4.

Like Loyd Star, Lawrence County also got a great game from a two-way player: Marleigh Grace Russell. On the mound, she tossed six innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. Russell was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with one home run, two runs, and two RBI.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Maddie Ratcliff, who scored three runs while going 1-for-2.

Loyd Star took their victory against Lawrence County in their previous meeting back in April of 2024 by a conclusive 13-2. Does Loyd Star have another victory up their sleeve, or will Lawrence County turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.