TUPELO - The Tupelo Christian Preparatory School Eagles left Andy Reese Field Friday night thinking they were six outs from a sweep in their first MHSAA baseball playoff series.

Not so fast.

The Eagles' Class 1A opening-round Game 2 against Biggersville was called in the bottom of the fifth inning because of lightning and the threat of rain with TCPS leading the Lions 15-8.

Umpires and school officials decided the game would be resumed today in Biggersville, while a Game 3, if necessary, would follow.

However, TCPS coach Grant Smallwood wasn't so sure the right call had been made, so he phoned the MHSAA to ask for a ruling. A spokesman there said the game was official.

"If there's a delay of any kind after 4 1/2 innings and the home team is leading, it's official," the coach said.

Smallwood was on his way to a team function when he received the news they had won. TCPS won the series opener, 4-1, Thursday in Biggersville.

"I came into the room with a solemn face, then told them, 'We won!''' he said. "Everybody went crazy. It was a great moment."

Biggersville, thanks to a three-run homer by Ethan Estes led 5-0 early. TCPS responded with five runs in the bottom of the second, including a home run by Andrew Soper.

The Eagles then added four runs in the third, and had added four more in the fifth with one on and one out when lightning stopped the contest.