Vikings advance to the State Championship for the first time in 23 years

Warren Central High School baseball team is heading to play for a state championship after defeating Center Hill 5-0 in game two. This is the Vikings first time playing for a championship since 2001.

“I’m as proud as I can be and they’ve worked really hard for this and they’ve been grinding so now we get to play in a state championship,” WC Head Coach Randy Broome said.

Brooks Willoughby sent two batters back to the dugout early on in the game. Hayes Loper was responsible for WC’s first run as hit a double that led to Cade Fairley running to home plate. 

After allowing zero runs in the second, WC quickly earned two walks then Fairley popped a hard single that allowed Ryan Nelson to capture the run.

Willoughby sent two more packing in the third to put WC at bat. In the blink of an eye, the bases loaded and Conner Watkins earned a walk while the Vikings added another two runs from wild pitches to go up 5-0 heading into the fifth.

By the top of the fifth, the Mustangs still couldn’t manage to get a hit. Neither team would get a run in the inning. CH still struggled in the sixth as the Vikings went to bat after Nelson threw a beauty to first baseman Lester Martin to get the final out. No runs from WC would leave the score at 5-0 going into the final inning.

After a tough talk from Broome, Willoughby struck out three batters as he earned a no-hitter(with 8 strikeouts) while the Vikings got their ride to state.

“It was a true blessing to a part of and I give all glory to God,” Willoughby said. We’re going to give it all we got going into state next week.”

Fairley and Cole Autrey(1 RBI) both had two hits and Loper had one hit and one RBI. Conner Watkins also hit an RBI.

WC will play at Trustmark Park where a date has not been determined.