Warren Central catcher Anna Jones, right, collides with pitcher Saleda Montgomery while trying to catch a popup on Tuesday. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[10/13/04]Warren Central put on an offensive display worthy of a Fourth of July celebration Wednesday, and are now turning their focus to the Gulf Coast.

Lauren Anderson had four hits and four RBIs, and Cookie Johnson had a pair of triples and a single in a 12-0 battering of Hattiesburg in the second game of the Class 5A state playoffs at Lady Vikes Field. WC won the first game, 6-0.

“We’ve been practicing hard on everything,” said WC outfielder Amanda Doyle, who had a home run and a single in the second game. “We’re just trying to do good in the playoffs.”

Warren Central is scheduled to play at either Picayune or Biloxi in a best-of-three series on Saturday. Last season, Biloxi defeated the Lady Vikes (22-7) in two games also in the second round.

“Everyone has to give it everything they have down there,” said Johnson, who was playing shortstop in place of the injured Shawn Johnson.

Shawn Johnson broke her leg during practice last week and is lost for the season. Cookie Johnson, who has played shortstop in the past, led a defensive effort that allowed only one Hattiesburg runner to advance to third base.

Saleda Montgomery pitched back-to-back shutouts, allowing two hits in the first game and three in the second.

She had plenty of help from the offense in both games.

Warren Central scored three runs on five hits in the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead. Doyle’s home run and Anderson’s RBI single in the second inning increased the lead to 5-0 and WC never looked back.

“The potential of this team is great and when we are clicking like we are right now and they are getting the bats on the ball, it’s some pretty softball,” WC coach Lucy Young said. “We’ve put together some good games heading into the playoffs.”

Warren Central scored three runs in the third inning, added one in the fourth and used a three-run fifth to end the game by way of the mercy rule.

In addition to Anderson’s four hits, Tiffany Fuller singled three times, Brittany Fuller had a pair of hits and Anna Jones had a double. Batters 1 through 5 were a combined 14-for-18.

Hattiesburg had two runners on in the third and fifth innings, but never threatened.

In the first game, Warren Central scored two runs in the first, third and fourth innings to earn a 6-0 decision.

Brittany Fuller led the offense with two singles and a double, while Cookie Johnson had an RBI triple and Mandy Fuller belted a pair of singles.

Hattiesburg committed four errors and had only two hits against Montgomery.