There’s an old saying that defense wins championships. Warren Central is about to find out if that’s really true.

The Lady Vikes open the Class 5A slow-pitch softball playoffs Tuesday afternoon at Northwest Rankin as a defensive juggernaut, but an offensive conundrum. They’ve hit well at times, but also had more than their share of low-scoring games that resemble fast-pitch more than slow-pitch.

WC exploded for 22 runs in three games at the Brookhaven Tournament on Sept. 29. In its last four single regular-season games, however, it has managed just nine runs and gone 2-2. WC allowed only eight runs in its last four non-tournament games.

“A one-run margin is still a win. That’s all it takes,” WC coach Lucy Young said with a chuckle. “If the defense is there and our hitting is steady, it’ll be tough to get by us.”

Despite the inconsistent offensive output, it has been tough to get by the Lady Vikes this fall. They enter the postseason with a 22-4 record that includes a 7-4 win over Northwest Rankin back in August.

The teams were supposed to play again on Sept. 27 but the game was rained out and not rescheduled. Young said that may have been a blessing.

“Looking back, it may have been OK for that game not to be played. We were coming off a very emotional loss in Brandon and it probably worked to our advantage,” Young said.

Although she didn’t get one last look at the Lady Cougars, Young added that she knows what to expect — a mirror image. Northwest Rankin hits for power and is solid defensively, which may play right into the Lady Vikes’ strengths.

“They’re a lot like us. They’re a good defensive team and they have a couple power hitters that we have to contain,” Young said. “Hopefully Mandy (Fuller) can pitch them in a way so they can’t get their full power on it.”

And, hopefully, WC can turn its power on. The hitting has shown promise this season, most notably in the Brookhaven tournament. WC won games by scores 10-0, 8-5 and 4-0. That showed Young that the offensive potential is there, just lying dormant.

“I’m pleased with where we are defense-wise, and can’t help but believe that at any time that hitting is going to come together,” Young said.