Although Adams County Christian coach Gill Morris wasn’t pleased with his team’s defensive effort Monday versus Centreville, two key defensive plays moved the Rebels one step closer to clinching the district title.

With their 9-8 win over the Centreville Tigers, the Rebels only need to win one of their remaining two games to clinch the title – and both are against Centreville Friday afternoon.

Facing runners on first and second, with no outs in the top of the seventh, ACCS pitcher Lee Watts faced Nathan Mathis with the tying run on second base.

Mathis ripped a 2-2 fastball into deep right centerfield, but rightfielder Te Riley stretched out to make the diving catch. The Centreville runner was caught near third base without tagging up and Riley threw to second base to complete the double play and end the threat.

In the top of the second, trailing 4-0, Centreville’s Daniel Reed hit a chopper back to Watts, who caught a Tiger runner between home and third. ACCS catcher Boo Burchfield tagged the runner, whirled and threw to second, where secondbaseman Trey Mardis tagged out Reed, ending the inning and getting Watts out of the jam.

Riley got things going offensively for the Rebels shortly thereafter.

He stepped to the plate in the Rebel half of the second and ripped a solo homerun into straight-away left field to get ACCS on the board.

For the win, Watts gave up six hits, three walks and struck out two in six innings. John Cody White took the loss for Centreville as he gave up seven hits, nine runs and struck out one.

&uot;I’m not pleased at all with our defense,&uot; Morris said. &uot;We made too many mistakes in the field.

&uot;We hit the ball well and didn’t give up down the stretch.&uot;

Morris gave credit to Centreville, who he said has made many improvements in recent weeks.

&uot;They are an improved ball team,’ he said. &uot;They beat Silliman and got some confidence. I had to pump my team up to play these guys.&uot;

The teams will meet again Friday in a double header at Centreville.