[10/14/03]Warren Central finally gets to open the Class 5A slow-pitch softball playoffs against a team other than powerful Moss Point.

The Lady Vikes get the team that beat Moss Point.

Warren Central (17-10) begins the state playoffs today at 2 p.m. at Division 7-5A champion Biloxi. The best-of-three series will conclude today as well.

The Lady Vikes finished second to Natchez in Division 6-5A and lost the championship by run differential, as did Biloxi (17-3).

“There are four strong teams in that division and when you have two teams the caliber of Biloxi and Moss Point, it really doesn’t make much difference who you play against,” Lady Vikes coach Lucy Young said. “From what everyone is saying, they play good defense and don’t make many mistakes.”

Young said many of the Biloxi players were members of a slow-pitch national championship summer team and that they have played together for several seasons.

“They are a good, sound team and we will have to play errorless ball,” Young said.

The last two seasons, after Warren Central moved from North to South State, the Lady Vikes have been beaten by Moss Point in the playoffs. The winner of today’s series will play either Harrison Central or Hattiesburg on Saturday.

“If we don’t hit we’ll have to play great defense,” McKay said. “We’ll practice hard and prepare to hit the ball. Everyone will have to play well.”