BROOKHAVEN — Two critical mistakes by Brookhaven Academy’s infielders allowed Randy Bell to score the game-winning run in the top of the sixth inning as the Centreville Academy Tigers defeated the Cougars 3-2 Friday afternoon to advance to next week’s MAIS Class AA South State Championship.

Bell singled, stole second base and went to third on a passed ball. The throw to third base was well off the mark, allowing Bell to score and give Centreville Academy the lead for good.

“We’ve been in this position before. We lost a good bit last year. They just do what it takes to get a ‘W,’” Tigers head coach Jason Horne said.

Centreville used small ball to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Gage Chandler singled and went to second on a perfectly executed bunt single by Tyler Caston. Both runners advanced to put them in scoring position and Corey Gaulden brought them in with a single of his own.

Brookhaven Academy answered on Landon Nettles’ two-run home run in the bottom of the first. After that it became a pitchers’ duel between Shaw and the Cougars’ Tanner Parvin.

Both teams went six and one-third innings, but it was Shaw who ended up the winning pitcher. He allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits with seven strikeouts and three walks.

“He made one mistake all night. He left the ball up and their No. 4 hitter (Nettles) hit it out,” Horne said about Shaw. “Other than that, he pitched a great game.”

Parvin was charged with the loss after he gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits and just one walk and he also struck out seven batters.

Bell pitched two-thirds of an inning of scoreless ball to preserve the win for the Tigers, who swept the Cougars two games to none in this best-of-three series.

Centreville Academy (18-5) will take on Central Private School in the South State title series. Game 1 will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Centreville Academy.