FRANKLINTON, La. — The Centreville Lady Tigers defeated the Bowling Green 3-2 Saturday to win the MPSA District 5-AA championship on a game winning run in the sixth inning.

Courtesy runner Kristen Lee went to second after Emily Gaulden reached on a fielder’s choice.

But the Lady Tigers almost lost the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, Emily Gaulden walked the first two batters she faced and then gave up a single to load the bases. But Gaulden settled down and struck out the side to end the game and secure the district title for Centreville.

“We tried to break the season down into three seasons – the regular season, South State and State,” Lady Tigers head coach Mark Mann said. “Our No. 1 goal was to win the district championship. We won it with good pitching and good defense.”

In 10 district games, Centreville gave up a total of 11 runs. “We can scratch a run or two, but as a coach you like to see a few more runs,” Mann said.

Emily Gaulden struck out nine batters and pitched a two-hitter in yet another outstanding complete-game performance on the mound.

Centreville improved to 23-7 overall and finished with a 9-1 mark in district play. The Lady Tigers will be the district’s No. 1 seed when the Class AA South State Tournament begins Wednesday at Vance Eaton Park in Liberty. Bowling Green, which went 8-2 in district play, will be the No. 2 seed and ASC will be the No. 3 seed.