The doubleheader for the Warren Central Lady Vikes softball team Saturday was a scorcher. The Lady Vikes came out flat and the girls committed a lot of errors in the first game against Brookhaven.

Head softball coach Dana McGiveny said the girls seemed to forget the skills worked on in practice. She doesn’t know if nerves or not being prepared mentality attributed to the play of the first game.

“They weren’t very patient at the plate. They didn’t wait on the ball to get to them,” McGiveny said. “That was the biggest thing, not waiting for the ball to get to them. They were too busy trying to hit the ball before it got to them.”

Warren Central fell to Brookhaven 15-0.

“Between games we just kind of talked about what we needed to do and how to step it up and play a little bit better,” McGiveny said. “After getting beat the first game they didn’t put their heads down and quit. They came back and continued to play and played more as a team in the second game.”

In the second game the team came out swinging the ball better, hitting harder and played better defense, which cut down on errors.

The girls were more patient, let the ball come to them before swinging, as well as swinging harder for stronger hits. These changes helped the team defeat North Pike 0-4.

“It’s good when you get results out of things you’ve been working on in practice,” McGiveny said.

Anaiyah Fultz made big catches in the second game, which turned into outs in the second game while playing in a new field position.

Fultz is coming from the outfield to play shortstop. McGiveny feels like Fultz has a really good chance to step up and do a really good job at the position.

“She can cover a lot of ground. I thought she stepped up and played well, especially in the second game. She was a little bit more under control. I think the first game she was a little bit more nervous just because she hasn’t played infield before. She made great defensive plays,” McGiveny said.

Fultz echoed McGiveny’s comments about playing better in the second game and hitting the ball harder. She has worked hard learning which angles to take and to adapt to her new position.

Saturday’s games were still a learning experience before the season begins Tuesday.

“It’s lets you know you have to play hard in order to win,” Fultz said. “We can’t take no one lightly. We can’t come into the game thinking we’re going to win.”

Northwest Rankin will visit the Lady Vikes Thursday, followed by a tournament at Warren Central Aug. 22.