BOONVILLE -- Surry Central's baseball team scored in its first at-bat but couldn't get much else going Thursday night, falling to Starmount 4-1 in the semifinals of the Mountain Valley 2A Conference tournament.

The Rams held the Golden Eagles to just one hit, a second inning single by Tanner Hudson.

Starmount meanwhile got solo home runs from Tyler Jackson and Sam Coe in the second and third innings, respectively, to advance to tonight's (Friday's) MVAC championship game against Yadkin County rival Forbush. That game starts at 7 p.m., while Surry Central and Wilkes Central will play a special playoff contest at 4:30 p.m. in Boonville to decide the conference's No. 3 seed for the upcoming state tournament.

Tyler Howard earned the win for the Rams, improving his record to 6-1. The senior pitched six strong innings, striking out 10. Tyler Jackson earned the save, keeping Central hitless in the final frame.

Austin McLamb took the loss for the Eagles. He allowed just five hits, but two were homers. Starmount's other two runs were unearned in the fourth inning.

"Austin did a good job keeping us off balance," Rams coach Mike McCann said. "Fortunately, we were able to put the ball in play and make some things happen."

Surry Central's run came with two outs in the first inning. McLamb got aboard on a fielder's choice, then advanced to third base on a wild pitch and a Starmount error. He came home on a wild pitch for an early 1-0 lead.

Surry Central had to play twice Thursday, defeating North Surry earlier in the afternoon. The Eagles and Greyhounds were rained out three times this week.

Starmount 4, Surry Central 1

MVAC Semifinals • Thursday • at Boonville

Surry Central 100 000 0 -- 1 1 3

Starmount 011 200 x -- 4 5 1

WP: Tyler Howard (6-1). LP: Austin McLamb