A perfect throw from the outfield led to a game-ending out on a close call at home plate and Centreville Academy escaped with a 3-2 Friday night win over the Brookhaven Academy Cougars in Harold Williams Ballpark. On a game-ending play. The win gave the Tigers a sweep of the best-of-three series.

Centreville advances the MAIS Class AA South State championship series against Central Private. The first game is Tuesday at Centreville. Central Private beat Centreville in 3 previous encounters during the regular season.

Centreville is the defending state champion.

On the decisive play, Centreville outfielder Cory Chandler made the throw. BA’s J.P. Jackson flew out to right field. Heath Hickman tagged up and tried to score on a head-first slide.

“It was a bam-bam play,” said Casey Edwards. “It was a high hop on the throw and it was a close play but the umpire made the right call.

“We just didn’t get enough runs,” said Edwards. “We still had a good year.”

The Tigers had defeated BA 3-1 Tuesday night at Centreville.

On Friday, Centreville scored twice in the top of the first on two infield singles and a blooper by Cory Gaulden over BA shortstop Matthew Evans.

In the bottom of the first, Evans led off with a push-bunt single past the pitcher. Catcher Landon Nettles hit a 2-run homer to tie the game.

The Tigers scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. Randy Bell coaxed a 2-out walk. He stole second base, went to third and came home after a high throw down the third base line.

“In the bottom of the seventh, we had our chances,” said Edwards.

Senior pitcher Tanner Parvin started on the mound and went 6.1 innings. Gage Posey replaced Parvin and got the next 2 outs on a strikeout and fly out. Parvin walked 1 batter and fanned 3, allowing 5 hits.

Colby Shaw was the winning pitcher, with 6 strikeouts and 1 walk to his credit. He gave up 3 hits.

Bell replaced Shaw with a 1 out in the seventh.

The Cougars finish 15-12. Edwards loses 3 seniors to graduation in Parvin, Evans and Gage Posey who had the other hit for BA.