CENTREVILLE — Trailing 4-3 in extra innings, the Centreville Academy baseball team stayed true to its mantra of finding ways to win.

And the Tigers’ Chance Humphries played the role of walk-off hero. With runners on second and third, Humphries belted a single to send Cliff Hurst and Tyler Towles home, giving Centreville a 5-4 win against Marshall Academy in Game 1 of the MAIS Class AA state championship series Tuesday.

“Humphries was due, and I asked him during a time out (before the at-bat), and he said, ‘Coach, I’m going to get a hit right here,’” Centreville head coach Jason Horne said.

“Sure enough, the third pitch he saw, he squared up on.”

The Tigers were one out away from a Game 1 loss. Randy Bell struck out to lead off the inning, and starting pitcher Hunter Devall popped up in the second at-bat.

But Hurst drew a two-out walk, and Towles singled to right, sending Hurst to third. Towles then took second on a delayed steal, setting up Humphries for the game-winner.

“That’s the way we did it last year and this year,” Horne said of his team’s ability to come through in the clutch. “Our guys never quit. They battled to the end, and they got the job done.”

Centreville (26-5) is now one win away from its second consecutive state championship. The Tigers will travel to Holly Springs Thursday and play the Patriots at 5 p.m. Friday for Game 2. Game 3, if necessary, will immediately follow.

The game was tied 3-3 at the end of seven innings. Devall pitched the first seven for Centreville, giving up three runs on seven hits. Hurst relieved Devall in the top of the eighth, surrendering one run on one hit to give the Patriots a 4-3 lead going into the bottom half of the frame.

Hurst was 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles, while Towles went 2-for-2 with a double.

Hurst got the win for Centreville, while Max Alexander took the loss.

Horne said his team’s uncanny ability to come back when it matters most is because of their attitude to never give up.

“We could be down 12-0 and we believe we’re going to come back and get the job done,” Horne said.

That attitude will be needed Friday when the Tigers face a tough crowd at Marshall Academy.

“We have to be relaxed and confident, and do all three phases of the game — hit, pitch and play defense,” Horne said. “We also have to run the bases.”