NATCHEZ — Centreville’s Cliff Hurst used power to push his Tiger team to a first-round sweep of Trinity Episcopal last week.

Hurst set the tone with home runs in both games for the Tigers. In Game 1 Hurst sent a three-run shot over the left-centerfield fence to give Centreville a 3-0 lead, which was more than enough for starting pitcher Hunter Devall. The Tigers would cruise to a 7-0 win Tuesday.

In Game 2 Trinity jumped on top and Jake Winston shut down Centreville’s lineup for five innings. But Hurst again came through, this time with a two-run home run that gave Centreville a 2-1 lead. The Tigers stretched their lead in the final two innings to win the game 9-2.

Centreville head coach Jason Horne said Hurst gave his team confidence in both games, and it was nice to get through the first round in two games.

“In the playoffs if you can get home in two it’s big,” Horne said. “But no matter what we have a few days to get ready for Simpson Academy.”

Horne said his preparation schedule started before the players hit the field again for practice.

“I have to get to work on a scouting report and get information on them,” Horne said.

The Tigers took batting practice Sunday and will have a full practice today to get ready for the opening game of the three-game series Tuesday.

Centreville will host Simpson at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Trinity Episcopal

With Centreville advancing out of the first-round series it meant that the Saints’ season ended with their 9-2 loss to the Tigers.

But head coach Mitch Ashmore said falling to Centreville was nothing to be ashamed of, and he was proud of what his team has accomplished.

“The people that have been with me for three years have gone 51-18 and won a championship,” Ashmore said. “That’s the thing I’ll take when we reflect back. This was a great group of kids.

“We had a tough situation and fought hard and made the playoffs. That’s really something to be proud of.”

Trinity finished its season with a record of 8-8. The Saints went 4-2 in MAIS District 5-AA.

Local teams deal with long layoffs

Cathedral School and Franklin County both had long layoffs ahead of them when they faced each other Thursday at Chester Willis Field.

Cathedral managed to cruise to a 10-0 victory in the game, but both teams were happy to get on the field with a weeklong layoff in front of them.

“We’re going to come back (today) and get after it again, fine-tune some things, work on some defensive situations and get them ready for the playoffs,” Cathedral coach Craig Beesley said. “Hopefully we can keep them hot. They way they’re playing right now, I feel good about our chances.”

Franklin County coach Brent Calcote said his team would handle its layoff by trying to maintain its level of play.

“I guess you practice, practice and hope what you did during the season carries over,” Calcote said.

Cathedral will travel to face French Camp Academy Thursday before coming home to finish the three-game series Saturday.

Franklin County is unsure of its playoff opponent but will also start its series Thursday.