HOLLY SPRINGS — There was no complacency after last year’s state title for this year’s group of seniors at Centreville Academy.

“All six of us have been together forever,” Tigers starter Cliff Hurst said. “We really helped promote what this season was all about: Put the team on our backs and prove to everyone we were the best.”

And there aren’t any teams left in MAIS Class AA that have the right to argue with Hurst.

Behind Hurst’s strong pitching and a stifling defense, the Tigers secured their second-consecutive MAIS Class AA state championship with a 4-0 win against Marshall Academy Friday. After coming from behind to win Game 1 at home Tuesday, the Tigers took an early lead in Game 2 Friday and never looked back.

“It never gets old, if we can keep winning them,” Tigers head coach Jason Horne said. “I’m so proud of these kids. They fought through all the adversity during the season, and this was all for them. They just stepped up and got back-to-back (state titles).”

Horne said the team’s seniors — Hurst, Hunter Devall, Hunter Travis, Ethan Nolan, Chance Humphries and Tyler Towles — had a combination of talent and experience that allowed them to excel.

“They’ve been playing together since eighth grade, most of them, and they don’t quit,” Horne said. “They do what it takes to get the job done. I can’t say enough about them and what they meant to this team.”

Centreville scored first in the top of the first on a fielder’s choice, then went up 2-0 in the third on a solo home run by Hurst. The Tigers scored two more runs in the top of the fifth, more than enough for Hurst to work with.

“The home run put us ahead by another run and gave me a little bit of breathing room,” Hurst said. “The biggest thing tonight was the effort by our defense.”

Hurst went the distance for Centreville, giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out four batters, including the last one he faced. He said most of his outs came on groundouts and weak popups.

“My fastball was so-so today, but my offspeed pitches were good, and I could throw them anytime in the count,” Hurst said. “They’re a good hitting team, but they couldn’t do anything with (my offspeed stuff).”

Evan Hickman took the loss for Marshall Academy, giving up four runs on eight hits with six walks and four strikeouts.

Hurst finished the game 2-for-2, and Randy Bell was 2-for-4. Devall had a double for the Tigers.

The Tigers won Game 1 Tuesday in extra innings 5-4 after getting down to its last out. Horne said he thinks the way his team won that game gave his players momentum going into Game 2.

“We had a good practice at Ole Miss this morning,” Horne said. “The kids were relaxed and confident.”

Centreville finished its season with a 27-5 record.