Joey Lieberman (7) of Warren Central catches Airline’s Chad Whitman in a rundown in the final game of their weekend series. (The Vicksburg Post/MELANIE DUNCAN)

[03/19/01] Airline coach Jason Rowland pitched Warren Central’s Brian Pettway down and inside on Friday. The result: the junior managed only one hit and struck out twice.

So, Rowland thought that the same approach would work again Saturday. It proved to be costly.

Pettway belted two home runs a grand slam and a two-run shot and had seven RBIs to lead Warren Central (13-1) to a 10-0 win over Airline (7-5) at Viking Field.

“He is a good hitter. Last night, we did a good job against him,” Rowland said. “Today, he did a good job of staying back. They have about five or six good hitters and this is good for our pitchers.”

Pettway credits the hours of batting practice before a game that Temple requires from them for his 3-for-3 performance.

“I guess the batting practice is working,” he said. “Everything is starting to come into place.”

Not only is the batting practice proving effective for Pettway, the team has benefited from it. WC had been in a slump at the plate, but in the last two games, the Vikings have churned out 24 hits 11 on Saturday.

Kevin Coker went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs and Joey Lieberman had an RBI double.

“Brian had a tremendous day,” WC coach Sam Temple said. “It was one of those days that you dream about … We got a big day from him and we expect more.”

While Pettway had an astonishing day at the plate, Taylor Tankersley (4-0) put up another stellar showing on the mound.

The Alabama signee pitched the complete 10-run rule shortened game, allowing only one hit and striking out 10 of the 19 batters he faced. He walked five and picked off three baserunners.

“Taylor walked more batters today than he has in a while,” Temple said. “But this is his second start on four days’ rest. He did a good job and now we’ll rest him for a while.”

The Vikings took the lead early and never looked back. Pettway hit a missile over the center-field fence with a runner on first to get the 2-0 lead.

In the next inning, Coker hit a single to right to score Tyler DeRossette. Airline pitcher Brandon Leaphard walked Tankersley to load the bases for Pettway with two outs.

On the second pitch, Pettway hit a shot over the left-field fence that carried past the buses to give WC a 7-0 lead.

Warren Central will get back into division play when they host Greenville Tuesday at 5 p.m.