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The Huntland Middle School Hornets lost to the Moore County Raiders 8-7 at home Monday for their third loss of the season.

The Hornets trailed by five runs after the first two innings with a rally attempt in the later innings coming up just short.

The Raiders capitalized on a few Huntland errors early to put up three runs in the first inning and two in the second to create the early 5-0 hole.

The Hornets made up some ground in the bottom of the third as Braydon Fanning hit a two-run single and Parker Schultz added an RBI single to make it a 5-3 game.

However, the Raiders scored a trio of runs in the top of the fifth to grow the deficit back up to five.

The Hornets got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth with Evan Goode hitting a sacrifice fly to put the score at 8-4.

The Hornets then loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, and Bryant Mooney hit a two-run double to make it an 8-6 game. Fanning followed with a sacrifice fly to bring the deficit down to one, but Mooney would be stranded at second base as the potential tying run.

The Hornets got the potential tying run on base again with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when Eli Fitch reached first on an error, but he wouldn’t advance any farther as the Hornets lost by one.

Kason Kildoo pitched the first 4 1-3 innings for the Hornets with six hits, one earned run and four unearned runs allowed.

Luke Yarbrough recorded one out in relief with three unearned runs allowed. Tyler Guess pitched the final 2 1-3 innings with one strikeout, one hit and no runs allowed.

With the loss, the Hornets moved to 0-3 on the season.

They will next play Tuesday at Moore County Middle School. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.