Warren Central pitchers Lauren Anderson, left, and Brittany Fuller practice pitching at the Lady Vikes’ field on Thursday. Anderson, who finished last season 22-4 and Fuller, who went 4-0, lead Warren Central into the fast-pitch season. (Melanie Duncan ThortisThe Vicksburg Post)

[2/21/03]Four years ago when Lauren Anderson stepped onto the Warren Central fast-pitch diamond, coaches and fans could tell instantly that she would be something special.

The team was in its first season of playing fast-pitch, yet the seventh-grader threw with adequate speed enough to get by in a first year of a program.

The problem was, though, that she was the only arm coach Lucy Young could count on to throw strikes and get batters out.

Then came Brittany Fuller and her rocket right arm to the team and she instantly gave the Lady Vikes an impressive two-headed monster capable of shutting down any team it played.

“She means a lot to me,” Anderson said. “If we didn’t have her, we probably wouldn’t have much of a team. You have to have pitchers in fast-pitch and if you don’t have pitchers, you really don’t have much.”

Now, four years and a lot of experience later, the duo, a Double Trouble of sorts, has the Lady Vikes thinking about a state championship.

In fast-pitch, the two most crucial positions are the pitcher and the catcher. Slow-pitch is ruled by the hitters, but not fast-pitch.

With the talented tandem on the mound and an incredibly experienced returning class, it is no wonder coach Lucy Young has some very, very high expectations.

“Potential-wise, we are probably positioned as strong and depth on the team as we have ever had in the program,” Young said.

Anderson earned a Vicksburg Post All-County spot by going 22-4 with 217 strikeouts as a freshman last year and has been working on several different pitches, although she won’t say what they are.

Fuller countered with a 4-0 record last season, but has been working with a pitching coach in Ridgeland weekly and has developed several pitches.

“I’ve been working a lot,” Fuller said. “I’ve been learning different pitches so I have a bigger arsenal now. Hopefully I have improved.”

The pitchers’ success usually relies heavily on defense and Young is equally as excited about it.

Katie Barnette, a two-time county player of the year and all-state catcher as a junior, leads a defense that returns all five starters from last year.

Ashley Chaney returns to first base, while Keisha Blue holds down second, Hayley Martin at shortstop and Anna Mitchell at third base. Young said the infield should be one of the best team assets.

“With both Brittany and Lauren’s style of pitches, you’ll have a lot of balls laid down in the infield,” Young said. “The good part about that is we have a lot of returning experience in the infield.”

The outfield is also solid, Young said. Sophomore Cookie Johnson, a rising star on the Lady Vikes’ basketball team, returned to the field on Tuesday, one day after WC was eliminated from the state basketball playoffs. Johnson is penciled in as the starter in right field.

“She finished up Monday night, was on the field Tuesday and hasn’t missed a beat,” Young said.

“Just point her in the direction of the court or the field, whatever it might be, and you know …”

Lyn Strawn will start in center field and Young said she is working with several players in left field.

As usual, the Lady Vikes face a tough division schedule with Clinton and Vicksburg, in addition to a very strong non-division schedule.

Young said that will help the team prepare for the playoffs, a spot most of the players are convinced WC will be at the end of the season.

“Everyone on this team is full of talent,” said Kristen Ashley, who catches Fuller.

“I can’t wait for the season to start. We’re going to be number one. i feel it.”

The Lady Vikes were scheduled to open the season today, but steady rains over the past two days have postponed the opener with Northwest Rankin. WC plays six games next week.