The day after a difficult loss, Warren Central enjoyed an easy victory.

Brooks Willoughby struck out 11 batters in a five-inning shutout, Cade Fairley hit a two-run home run and four players drove in two runs apiece as Warren Central beat Raymond 14-0 in a Saturday baseball matinee at Viking Field.

The Vikings (7-8) bounced back after losing in 11 innings to MHSAA Region 2-6A rival Neshoba Central on Friday night. They scored in all four innings in which they batted against Raymond (3-9), beginning with seven

runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Eight consecutive batters reached base in the first-inning rally. Three runs scored on hit batters with the bases loaded, and Lester Martin hit a two-run single. Hayes Loper also hit an RBI single.

Conner Watkins added another RBI single in the second inning, and Fairley’s home run over the left field fence in the third made it 12-0.

Fairley, Martin, Loper and Watkins all had two RBIs apiece for the Vikings. Maddox Lynch was 2-for-3 with two doubles and three runs scored, and Cole Autrey was 1-for-2 with a double, on RBI and two runs scored.

The Southern Miss signee Willoughby allowed one hit and two walks in five innings, in addition to his 11 strikeouts. He also helped his cause at the plate by going 2-for-2 with a double and one RBI.

Warren Central will play the first of three consecutive non-region games Monday at 6 p.m. against St. Andrew’s, at Hinds Community College. It will host Manchester Academy on April 5 at 7 p.m., and play at Northwest Rankin on April 6 at 2 p.m.