The challenges ahead — heck, the one they face today — will be exponentially more difficult for the Warren Central Vikings than what they conquered on Friday. Still, their lopsided doubleheader sweep against Provine carried some weight.

The Vikings crushed Provine, 18-0 and 20-0, for their first two Division 4-6A victories of the season.
Shane Lewis had three hits, including a triple, scored four runs and drove in six in the doubleheader. D.J. Lewis only had two hits, but walked three times, scored three runs and drove in three more.

“It’s always good to start off in the division 1-0, and now we’re going into a big game tomorrow with Madison (Central). It’s good to be disciplined. It’s still baseball. You’ve still got to catch it and throw it, and that’s what we just did,” Warren Central coach Conner Douglas said.

Provine offered little resistance to the Vikings (6-3, 2-0 Division 4-6A). Warren Central scored 16 of its 18 runs in game one in the first inning, on only four hits. D.J. Lewis had a two-run single to cap the parade around the bases, but most of the damage was done via walks, passed balls and wild pitches.

Provine’s pitchers walked nine batters in the game.

Caleb Singleton had Provine’s only hit, a hard bouncing single up the middle in the second inning. WC pitcher Vantrel Reed struck out the side on nine pitches in the top of the third to end the game via the mercy rule.

Warren Central scored eight runs in the first inning of game two, and 12 more in the second inning to cruise to another 2 ½-inning victory, 20-0. Sixteen different players scored a run for the Vikings, who finished with 10 hits after getting only five in game one.

“We threw strikes. We hit the ball on the screws. We didn’t play the opponent, we played the game of baseball. That’s what we’re trying to preach to them — do what you’re supposed to do, and let the rest take care of itself,” Douglas said. “I’m glad the guys were keeping their focus and playing the game.”

Weather permitting, Warren Central will ratchet up the degree of difficulty over the next week. It will take on perennial Class 6A power Madison Central (4-2) Saturday at 6 p.m., at Madison Central, and then head to the Coast for three games next week in the Battle of the Beach tournament.

The Vikings will play undefeated Gulfport (8-0), last year’s Class 6A runner-up, on Thursday. They’ll also face Harrison Central (4-2) at MGM Park in Biloxi next Friday, and Memphis’ Christian Brothers next Saturday at Pascagoula High School.

“We always want to play good competition. I’d rather be a .500 ballclub and playing good, quality teams as opposed to being 8-0 and never being tested until the playoffs,” Douglas said. “We’re always trying to get battle-tested early, and that’s what we’ll do the next few weeks.”

Ridgeland 12, Vicksburg 2

Brooks Italiano went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs and a run scored to lead Ridgeland (5-2, 2-0 Division 4-5A) to its second victory this week over Vicksburg High (1-4, 0-2).

Italiano had an RBI double in the first inning and another in the second to help stake the Titans to a 7-1 lead.

Branden Humphrey singled, walked and scored a run for Vicksburg. Chris Farrish and Jordan Miller each had one RBI.

Tallulah Academy 20, Central School 4

Joshua Collins went 4-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and three runs scored as Tallulah Academy crushed Central School on Friday.

Hager Fortenberry was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Trojans, who amassed 25 hits in the game. Logan Tullos had three hits and drove in a pair of runs, and Paul Machen was 2-for-4 with three runs scored.