WC remains first in district after defeating Ridgeland

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — In a battle for first place in the district, the Warren Central High School baseball team came out on top against Ridgeland on Tuesday night, earning an 8-3 win behind a big fifth inning.

The Vikings collected eight hits to improve to 5-0 in district play.

Ridgeland struck first in the second inning with an RBI by McClent. Warren Central answered in the bottom half of the inning when Trace Hood hit a double and Jacob Kealhofer followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. The Titans regained the lead in the third on a double by Woody, making it 2-1.

In the fourth inning, Warren Central took control. Blake Caruthers hit an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2, and Justin Evans scored on a steal of home to give the Vikings a 3-2 lead.

The Vikings pulled away in the fifth, scoring five runs. Caruthers and Kealhofer singled, and Hood drew a walk to load the bases. Caden Cole was hit by a pitch to bring in one run, Hayes Loper followed with a three-run double, and Maddox Lynch added a sacrifice fly to round out the scoring.

Loper finished with two hits and three RBIs, while Caruthers had two hits and one RBI. Kealhofer (one RBI), Hood, Tristan Jamison and Lester Martin each added a hit.

Nathaniel Moore pitched five innings and struck out six. Justin Greer closed the game, recording two strikeouts.

Warren Central will travel to Ridgeland on Friday with a chance to clinch the district title.