One big comeback was all Warren Central could muster this week.

Will Hicks hit a three-run home run during a six-run third inning, and Germantown rode a big early lead to an 8-6 victory over Warren Central on Thursday in the Mid-Mississippi Classic baseball tournament.

Warren Central (3-1) had overcome a six-run deficit Monday in a win against Brandon, but couldn’t duplicate the feat three days later. Germantown’s big third inning gave it an 8-2 lead. The Vikings got single runs back in the third and fourth innings, and scored twice in the sixth to get within 8-6 on Brooks Boolos’ RBI single, then stalled out.

Warren Central had the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh after Tyler McRight and Logan Stewart reached on errors. Landon Stewart hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, however, to start a game-ending double play. Courtesy runner Fred Barnum was thrown out at home, and Landon Stewart was doubled up at first for the final out.

McRight, Boolos and John Austin Burris all had two hits and an RBI for Warren Central. McRight had an RBI double in the third inning.

Logan Stewart walked twice, reached on an error and scored three runs.

The Vikings did wipe out an early 2-0 deficit by scoring twice in the second inning. Both Stewart brothers reached base and scored on an error.

Warren Central’s bullpen held the line after starter Booth Buys was roughed up. Austin Willis and Josh Lieberman combined to throw five innings of shutout ball. They allowed four hits and three walks, and struck out eight.

Buys lasted two innings and allowed eight runs, six earned, on five hits. He walked two and struck out three.

For Germantown (3-0), Hicks went 2-for-2 with a home run, single and four RBIs. Connor Cotton was 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Myrick Welch was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Hicks also pitched 3 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs, two earned, and struck out one to get the win. Zach James pitched the last three innings.

Warren Central will continue its run at the annual Mid-Mississippi Classic Friday with two games. It’ll take on defending Class 5A champion Oxford — the No. 1 team in the country as ranked by Maxpreps.com — at 2 p.m. at Pearl High School, and then play Faith Academy (Ala.) at 4:30 in the second game of a split doubleheader.

The Vikings will then return home to play Central Private (La.) on Saturday at 11 a.m. The game is part of the Mid-Mississippi Classic, but will be played at Viking Field.