MACON — Central Academy jumped out to a big lead after five innings of play only to hold off a late rally to defeat the Huntington Hounds 10-9 Wednesday night in Game 2 of their MPSA Class A South State Playoffs series.

With the win, the Vikings tied the best-of-three South State semifinals series at 1-1. Game 3 is today at Huntington at 7 p.m. The winner of this game will take on the winner of the Trinity Episcopal-Heidelberg Academy series next week in the Class A South State Championship series.

Led by C. Brown and Sudduth, Central Academy took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After Huntington (17-12) tied the game in the top of the third inning, the Vikings went on a tear at the plate as they outscored the Hounds 8-1 over the next three innings.

Central Academy appeared to have the game well in hand with a 10-3 lead, but Huntington wouldn’t go away quietly. Trey Corbett hit a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to cut the lead to 10-6.

Then in the top of the seventh inning, the Hounds scored three more runs to make it a 10-9 game. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep the rally going and the Vikings held on for the win.

Corbett went 2-for-4 and Landon Willard went 3-for-3 with a double for Huntington. Brown went 2-for-5 with a double and Sudduth was 3-for-4 for Central Academy.