From staff reports

Matt Cranfield pitched what Porters Chapel Academy coach Randy Wright called his finest game on the mound for the Eagles baseball team.

The senior fireballer allowed one unearned run and scattered three hits, then got a key double in the seventh inning to help PCA (16-9) to a 3-1 victory over perennial Academy-AA power Simpson Academy.

The game went into the seventh inning tied at 1. Colby Rushing led off with a walk and scored on a Cranfield double for a 2-1 lead.

Josh Hill then singled in Cranfield for a 3-1 PCA lead. Wright said if the game had gone into the bottom of the seventh inning tied, Cranfield would have been replaced.

The Eagles had the lead and Cranfield started the seventh with two straight strikeouts. He then coaxed a grounder to second to end the game.

Austin Barber led Porters Chapel with two hits.

PCA is scheduled to play at Carroll on Thursday, then start the Academy-A playoffs on Tuesday.

Madison Central 5, WC 3

Warren Central built an early 2-0 lead at Madison Central, but scored only one run over the final six innings in a loss to the Jaguars.

The Vikings are scheduled to play Brandon on Saturday at 3 p.m. That game will be followed by Vicksburg High’s playoff game against Neshoba Central, which will be played at WC while Bazinsky Field is being repaired from recent storm damage.

Jonathan Longmire homered to lead Warren Central’s five-hit attack. Keaton Sanders took the loss.

The Vikings, after the Brandon game, will prepare for the Class 5A state playoffs at DeSoto Central against Grenada.