Centreville Academy entered Friday’s doubleheader against Central Private knowing exactly what it needed.

Two wins and the Tigers were playoff bound. A loss in either game, and CA would be on the outside looking in.

And on one swift pitch in the top of the eighth inning of a scoreless first game, the Tigers’ postseason hopes were immediately dashed away.

Centreville pitcher Britt Netterville went over the MAIS 110-pitch limit for a game, forcing a CA forfeit and ending its playoff hopes.

MAIS regulations state that a player becomes inelligable after reaching the pitch limit.

“Tie ball game, eighth inning, and then we have to forfeit,” CA coach Jason Horne said. “We’re going to appeal this, and hopefully we’ll be playing here next week.”

Umpires spent several minutes on the phone with MAIS official David Drake before ultimately ending the game with one out in the top of the eighth, giving Central Private the win.

“We’ve got 98 (pitches) over here, and (Central Private) has 112,” Horne said.

Despite the disappointing outcome, Horne said he was very pleased with his team’s effort in a must-win situation.

Netterville, a Louisiana Tech baseball pledge, went through 7.1 innings of scoreless pitching, striking out seven batters and allowing just two hits.

“He did a fantastic job,” Horne said. “For it to end like that (is disappointing).”

When the ball was put in play, the Tigers defense rode to the challenge, making a number of running fly ball catches and plays in the hole on groundballs. 

“They played hard,” Horne said. “I guess it’s the coach’s fault right there (at the end). But it’s a messed up rule.”

Both teams’ chances to score were few and far between. Centreville, however, had perhaps the best opportunity in the bottom of the second inning.

The Tigers had loaded the bases on base hits by Matthew Bihm and Colton Womack and a hit by pitch Chad Jenkins, but Central Private pitcher Jude Fontenot wiggled out of the jam with a two-out strikeout.

Fontenot  finished the game with six strikeouts.

Wyatt Brabham and Jace DeLee each had base hits for Centreville.

“We’ve got to do something other than this,” Horne said. “To take something away from the kids that are playing … (Netterville) was about to come out of the game, but that’s what (Central Private) was waiting for (the pitch count).”

Centreville won the second game of the doubleheader to Central Private, 10-1.

The Tigers will finish their season at home at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against Parklane.