BROOKHAVEN — It wasn’t an easy game to watch unfold for Centreville Academy baseball coach Jason Horne.

But the end result is all that matters, and Centreville got the result it wanted in Game 3 of the MAIS Class AA South State Championship.

After dropping Game 2 to Brookhaven Academy 7-3, the Tigers managed to hold onto a 1-0 lead and shut out the Cougars and advance to the state championship series.

“I was on edge all night,” Horne said. “Make one mistake, and it’s tied up, or they could beat us. It was just two great ball teams battling it out, that’s what it comes down to.”

And that one run came in an unlikely scenario. Centreville’s J.M. McDowell was able to take advantage of teammate Gage Chandler being caught in a rundown between first and second in the top of the fourth.

Chandler was out in the rundown, but McDowell took off from third and was safe at home on the throw.

After taking the loss in Game 2, Centreville’s Cliff Hurst got the win in Game 3, going three innings and striking out four. Hunter Devall pitched the final four innings, striking out five batters.

Chance Humphries hit a triple in Game 3.

Centreville was ahead 2-1 in Game 2, before a six-run fifth inning gave the Cougars the lead. Centreville added another run in the top of the sixth, but managed just three hits.

Hurst was removed after four innings, giving up one run while walking three and striking out five.

Tyler Towles had a double in Game 2.

With South State in hand, Centreville will go into next week’s state title series looking to defend its 2011 Class AA state championship.

“I can’t say enough about this team and the seniors on this team and what they’ve contributed tonight and all season long,” Horne said.

“Getting back for the second year in a row is a dream come true. They battled, and they just got it done.”