WOODVILLE — The Riverfield Academy Raiders brought a lot of momentum into the first round of the MAIS Class A South State Playoffs, having recently defeated then-No. 1 Glenbrook School to win the District 7-A championship.

Because of that, Wilkinson County Christian Academy was a heavy underdog going into its three-game series against Riverfield. But some key bunts allowed the Rams to stun the Raiders 4-2 and take a 1-0 series lead.

“We played a little small ball tonight. We bunted some in the second inning,” WCCA interim head coach Phillip Cutrer said. “We were bunting and they were having trouble with it.”

The bottom of the second inning proved to be key for the Rams. Lane Ivy got on first base after being hit by a pitch. After a walk advanced Ivy to second base, Kaleb Sterling singled to bring him in. Then on a bunt attempt, Riverfield made a throwing error that allowed Tyler Skinner and Reed Sturgeon to score and that gave WCCA a 3-1 lead.

Taylor Prevost was the winning pitcher for the Rams. He gave up two runs, one earned, on eight hits, struck out four and walked five. He was aided by a defense that didn’t commit a single error for the first time this season.

WCCA scored one run in the bottom of the fifth to go up 4-1 before Riverfield scored its final run of the game in the top of the seventh. The Raiders took a 1-0 lead when Patrick Pelley tripled and later scored in the top of the first inning.

“We’ve played some very good teams this season, such as ACCS and Centreville. Our record is a little bit misleading,” Cutrer said. “We are finally playing together as a team. I believe that was the difference tonight.”

WCCA improved to 5-10 overall while Riverfield Academy dropped to 13-5 overall.

The series will shift to Riverfield Academy in Rayville, La. on Thursday. Game 2 will take place at 4 p.m. and the Raiders must win to force a Game 3 which, if necessary, starts at 6 p.m.