CENTREVILLE — Lefty Hunter Devall set the tone, the bats came alive early and Centreville Academy cruised to a 9-2 win against Simpson Academy Tuesday.

Devall went five innings as the Tigers took Game 1 of a three-game set against the Cougars in the second round of the MAIS Class AA South State playoffs. He gave up just one hit, two walks and struck out seven.

Centreville scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and five runs in the bottom of the second, something Tigers coach Jason Horne said was key to their win.

“We came out swinging, put some hits together and scored some runs,” Horne said. “Devall shut them down for five innings, and we came out and took care of business early. Our defense played really well.”

Horne said he limited Devall’s outing to approximately 60 or 70 pitches in order to have in available in Friday’s Game 2 matchup. Between Devall and No. 2 starter Cliff Hurst, Horne said the Tigers have a strong one-two combo in the rotation.

“It’s a tossup as far as who’s one and two,” Horne said. “We usually go with Hunter in the first game and Cliff in the second game, but they’re both playing really well.”

Austin Matthews took the loss for Simpson Academy, giving up nine runs in four innings. Devall and Randy Bell both had doubles for Centreville, and Tyler Towles hit a home run for the Tigers.

Towles finished 2-for-4 on the night, and Hunter Travis went 3-for-4 at the plate.

Centreville (22-4) will play at 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at Simpson Academy for Game 2 of the series. Game 3, if necessary, will immediately follow.

Even though the Tigers will be walking into a hostile environment, Horne said it’s something his players are already used to.

“We had to go on the road every series until the state championship last season, when we had two at home,” Horne said.

“These guys know what it takes to play on the road. We just have to play well, be disciplined and swing the bats.”