The Vicksburg Gators got an outstanding pitching performance from Tyler Smith and turned in one of their best overall efforts of the season.

It wasn’t enough.

Center Hill scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning — two of them on a throwing error — and Frankie Hefflinger threw a three-hit shutout to beat the Gators 3-0 in Game 1 of a first-round Class 5A playoff series.

It was the fourth time in six games that the Gators (7-16) have been shut out.

“That’s probably the best defensively that we’ve played in a long time. We made some heckuva plays out there. We just couldn’t get runs in,” Vicksburg coach Derrick DeWald said. “The name of the game is you’ve got to score. At least one. And that’s been our Achilles heel all year.”

Game 2 of the best-of-three series is tonight at 6 at Center Hill. Vicksburg needs to win to force a Game 3 at Bazinsky Field on Saturday night.

Despite the loss, the Gators did feel like they’ll head to Desoto County with some positive momentum.

“We’re more than capable of beating them. We’ve just got to bring that same intensity we brought today, tomorrow and Saturday,” Smith said.

Hefflinger held the Gators to three hits and a walk while striking out nine batters. Smith matched him to keep Vicksburg in the game.

Smith walked six batters, but only gave up four hits. He managed to keep the Mustangs (13-12) off the board until the sixth inning, when the walks and one ill-timed error finally caught up to him.

Two walks and a double by Austin Genova loaded the bases for Center Hill. Zac Gilder then hit a ball to center for a sacrifice fly that brought in the game’s first run.

Genova tagged to go to third, and Vicksburg center fielder Marc Grace’s throw wound up in the third base dugout. Genova and Derrick Monette both scored to make it 3-0.

Hefflinger gave up a base hit in the seventh inning, but nothing else as he made the lead stand up.

“That was a huge play. That would’ve kept it 1-0. It’s like the breaks just didn’t fall our way this year, at this moment.” DeWald said. “But it’s like I told our guys in the huddle. They’ve got a long ride, they’ve got to get up and go to school. It’s a field day for us. Our mindset is to bring it back Saturday. I think we’ll be OK if we can bring it back Saturday.”