BAKER, La. — Cliff Hurst came through for Centreville Academy not only on the mound but at the plate in Game 3 of the MAIS Class AA South State Championship series against Central Private School.

Hurst struck out six while allowing just one run on three hits in five innings and his three-run home run in the top of the first inning held up as the Tigers defeated the Rebels 3-1 Friday night to win the best-of-three series two games to one.

With the win, Centreville Academy (27-8) will take on North State champion Simpson Academy for the Class AA state championship. Game 1 will be at Simpson Academy on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Then the series will switch to Centreville Academy. Game 2 takes place Thursday at 5 p.m. with Game 3, if necessary, to follow.

Hurst’s home run was not only all the offense that he needed, it was all that the Tigers would end up with. The game turned into a pitchers’ duel between Hurst and Rebels starting pitcher Blake Chelette.

After the first inning, Chelette pitched four straight scoreless innings to keep Central Private in the game. However, Hurst was even better as the only run he allowed was in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hunter Devall came on in relief and pitched two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and no walks to pick up the save.

Chelette ended up allowing three runs on six hits to go along with two strikeouts and a pair of walks over five innings. Two of those hits he gave up were to Hurst. Brennan Fucich went 2-for-3 with a double for the Rebels.

The series ended up going to a third and deciding game after Central Private had its way with Centreville in Game 2 en route to an 11-1 win in six innings Friday afternoon.

Fucich was the winning pitcher was he held the Tigers to just one run on three hits and struck out three. Seth Stevens hit two home runs and Fucich helped his cause by going 4-for-4 with two doubles.

Randy Bell was charged with the loss as he allowed nine runs over four innings. He struck out two and walked two. The Rebels ended up with 10 hits in the game.