FLOWOOD — Landon Middleton had a pretty good day Thursday. Then again, most days lately have been pretty good for he and his St. Aloysius teammates.

Middleton threw a three-hit shutout and also went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs at the plate to lead St. Al to a 10-0 win over Hartfield Academy in the first game of a doubleheader.

St. Al won game two, 7-2, to finish the sweep. The Flashes (12-4, 8-1) have won eight of their last nine games after a sluggish start to the season, and will take a ton of momentum into a key series next week against Central Hinds.

Central Hinds is undefeated and in first place in District 3-AAA, and St. Al is in second place. They both figure to make the playoffs, barring a total collapse, but their three games next week will decide the district championship. They’ll play Tuesday at Central Hinds, and then a doubleheader next Thursday at Bazinsky Field.

St. Al will also host Riverside Saturday at 1 p.m.

“It’s definitely a big series,” St. Al coach Sid Naron said. “Central Hinds is a very solid club that’s having a good year. I believe we are very similar teams, and believe it will be a great series. I really like the way our team is competing at this point in the season. I’m excited to see our guys compete next Tuesday.”

Middleton’s emergence as a reliable starting pitcher has been a key factor in St. Al’s charge to the top of the standings. Normally the team’s catcher, he was pressed into service on the mound when staff ace Will Pierce started suffering from a minor elbow injury.

“I feel like I’ve been able to fill the spot right now,” Middleton said. “I expected to be behind the plate and fill my role back there, but with Will going out I stepped up and did what I had to do for the team, I guess.”

Pierce pitched the final inning of game two of Thursday’s doubleheader — his first time on the mound in nearly a month — but Middleton filled in well in his absence. After throwing a complete game last Saturday against Manchester, Middleton retired the first seven batters he faced against Hartfield.

Hayden Van Norman broke up the perfect game with a one-out single in the third inning, and finished 2-for-2, but no one else in the Hawks’ lineup had much luck. Middleton got a ground out to strand runners at second and third in the third inning, then retired six of the last seven batters he faced before the game ended via the run rule.

Middleton only struck out one batter, but didn’t walk any.

“I thought my breaking ball was really on today. I was able to locate it, and the guys made some good plays behind me. I let my defense work,” Middleton said. “I haven’t had a lot of strikeouts. I’m just letting them work.”

Middleton was just as effective at the plate. He had an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run double in the fourth. He also reached on an error in the top of the third inning that allowed two runs to score.

Lane Hynum also had an RBI double for the Flashes, while Pierce was 2-for-2 with a double, walk and three runs scored.

In game two, Pierce went 2-for-2 with a double, triple and two RBIs. Justin Ehrgott and Lee Simpson also drove in runs.

Casey Griffith allowed two runs in six strong innings to get the win.

“Lately, all the guys have been rolling. One through nine. Everybody’s been hitting the ball. Defensively, we’re just sound, no errors. We’re playing good all around,” Hynum said. “It’s amazing how much confidence you pick up whenever you win. The confidence gets rolling and everything starts clicking.”