CENTREVILLE – The Centreville Academy Tigers were primed andready Tuesday night for the opening game of the MAIS Class AA SouthState championship series. They jumped on Brookhaven Academy’sCougars for five, first-inning runs and coasted to an 11-1,six-inning victory.

The Cougars (25-8) must win twice Thursday on their home turf tocapture the best-of-three series. The first game begins at 5p.m.

Hillcrest Christian shut out Simpson County

Academy 10-0 last night in the North State final roundopener.

Senior hurler Tripp Jolly started on the mound for the Cougars andstruggled with his control. He allowed seven hits and eight earnedruns. He fanned four batters and walked six.

Freshman southpaw Gage Posey (0 K 1 BB) allowed two hits in reliefof Jolly.

Junior right-hander Cliff Hurst (7 K, 3 BB) scattered seven hitsand notched the win.

“Cliff had a great night,” said BA coach Casey Edwards. “He wasthrowing 87 and 88 (mph fastballs). He did a great job.”

The Tigers exploded for five runs in the first inning and led 7-1after the third frame. Hurst helped his cause with a home run and adouble.

“We gave up too many free bases,” said BA coach Casey Edwards. “Wewalked seven and hit one batter.

“We struck out looking at fastballs,” Edwards continued. “You arenot going to win late in the season playing like that against goodteams.

“Centreville wanted it more than we did,” he added. “It’s a bigrivalry, especially after we beat them in football andbasketball.”

Outfielder Donovan Lorraine led the Cougars with two singles.

The Tigers (22-9) are coached by Jason Horne.