Perhaps the best signs that this might be a special year for Warren Central are the ones taped to the door of coach Dana McGivney’s office.

The small pieces of paper feature the names of last year’s statistical leaders, along with where they ranked among other players in the state. There’s about a dozen of the placards, and out of all the names only one is not on this year’s roster.

“I just hope it’s a season where we continue to build off what we did last season and what we did in slow-pitch,” said McGivney, whose team advanced to the second round of the slow-pitch playoffs in October. “We have to realize we have as much talent as anybody else. We just have to take advantage of it and play to our full potential.”

The Lady Vikes open the 2015 season Saturday with two classic games at Northwest Rankin. They’ll play Parklane Academy at 5 p.m. and Magee at 7. The home opener is Tuesday at 6:15 against Richland.

Like most teams in Mississippi, the Lady Vikes have had their practice time cut short by cold, wet winter weather over the past couple of weeks.

The outlook, though, remains sunny.

The only senior starters the team lost were outfielders Grace Franco and Lexi Burleigh. Top pitcher Darby Gain, catcher Brooke Patterson and first baseman Katie Channell are among the returning players in a potent lineup.

Patterson, a junior, was among the top hitters in all of Mississippi with a .568 batting average. The senior Channell, an Itawamba Community College signee, hit .443 with 15 RBIs and 22 runs scored.

McGivney said an even bigger asset than the raw talent was team chemistry. The 2014 team played well together, which led to a 20-6 record — the program’s best since 2005 — and a playoff appearance. As a team, the Lady Vikes had a .365 batting average.

“Last year we felt at ease at the plate and meshed well as a team and had fun. When that’s the case, it’s amazing what they can accomplish,” McGivney said.

Another key to the Lady Vikes’ success, last season and this one, is Gain. The senior is entering her fourth season as the team’s primary pitcher. She went 13-4 with a 1.32 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 101 innings in 2014.

In her high school career, Gain has a 1.94 ERA and 262 strikeouts in 63 starts.

McGivney said Gain has looked better than ever during the preseason.

“Last Saturday at the jamboree, she was in a zone and was fun to watch. She was just throwing it past Madison Central,” McGivney said. “The limit is how well she thinks she can pitch. She’s more ready at the beginning of this year than last year. Last year, she was trying to find her way. Now she’s pretty much there. If you have a pitcher that is that confident, that’s a big asset.”

Gain also has plenty of help behind her.

In addition to Patterson and Channell, the rest of the infield — third baseman Megan Stewart, shortstop Lawren Boolos and second baseman Kasy Cortezie — is also back.

McGivney cautioned that other teams in Class 6A are just as loaded as hers, but felt sure WC will hold its own.

“I feel like we should be able to compete in most every game we play,” McGivney said. “You’re looking for an exciting season when you have all of your infield back.”