If there was one thing the Warren Central Vikings learned from losing Game 1 of their playoff series to Desoto Central, it was that they could hang with the star-laden powerhouse from up north.

Now, the Vikings will get a chance to show they can send it home for the summer.

Layne Tedder allowed one run in a complete-game victory, and the Vikings beat Desoto Central 2-1 to even their Class 6A quarterfinal series at a game apiece.

The decisive Game 3 is tonight at 6 at WC’s Viking Field.

“I couldn’t be prouder. I told them before the game to play for the love of one another, leave it all on the field and let’s look up in the seventh and see where we are,” Warren Central coach Conner Douglas said. “They competed their tails off, and now we are going to do the same thing for our fans (Friday) night at Viking Field.”

Desoto Central (23-9) won Game 1 on Tuesday, 8-1, in a game that was much closer than that score indicated. Warren Central (17-12) committed six errors and gave up five runs in the seventh inning to let it get out of hand.

Warren Central avoided those self-destructive mistakes in Game 2 and had a much more favorable outcome.

Connor Wilkinson delivered an RBI single in the third inning for the Vikings’ first run, and Zach Cox an RBI double in the sixth to put them ahead 2-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, a pair of defensive gems helped preserve the lead.

Third baseman Colton Norris cut down a runner at the plate for the second out of the inning, and the second baseman Wilkinson got the final out by going up the middle to field a ground ball.

“That’s what it takes to get to that next level. People stepping up and making big plays,” Douglas said.

Tedder did that all night. He struck out four batters, walked two and gave up six hits. That matched Desoto’s Keegan James, who allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, and struck out eight in seven innings.

The Vikings gave Tedder a touch more run support, however, and showed the team with five Southeastern Conference signees that they wouldn’t go away quietly.

“I saw it in their eyes after Game 1. Our guys know they are a dangerous team when we just beat the game of baseball,” Douglas said. “They’ve seen it first hand all year. I love going to war with this team. All 33 of them.”