EULA — It took 10 innings and four lead changes to decide, but at the end of a marathon opener to the Region I-1A area-round series between May and Ira, it was the Tigers celebrating a thrilling 5-4 victory at the Eula Athletic Complex.

May trailed 2-1 after 2½ innings and 4-3 heading to the bottom of the ninth, but coach Chad Dail’s squad came through with an answer each and every time it needed one to hold off a spirited Ira squad and improve to 15-1 on the year.

The victory gives the Tigers a chance to close out the series when it resumes at 7 p.m. Thursday back in Eula, while Ira (13-4) will be looking to force a deciding third game with a win. Should a rubber match be necessary, it would be played at noon on Saturday at the same site.