MADISON – Warren Central sent a message Tuesday night that the Division 3-5A title chase won’t be just a one- or two-team race.

Eric Douglas took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and also homered, doubled and scored two runs as the Vikings (4-3, 1-0 Division 3-5A) upset second-ranked Madison Central on the road, 5-3.

Nick Carson also hit a solo home run for Warren Central and pitched an inning of scoreless relief for the save. Jonathan Ettinger added a key two-run double in the sixth inning for the Vikings, while Mitch Harrison and Ryan Lee each had an RBI double for Madison Central (3-1, 0-1).

It was Madison’s first regular-season loss since 2004. The two teams will have the second of three meetings this season on Friday night at Warren Central.

&#8220At the beginning of the year, we didn’t get ranked in the preseason polls and that kind of sparked us a little bit. This will make a statement that we can play baseball,” said Douglas, who allowed three runs, two hits and two walks while striking out three in six innings of work.

Douglas was a difference-maker for WC. The senior right-hander shut down Madison for five innings before tiring and allowing three runs in the sixth. He retired 10 straight Jaguar batters at one point, and didn’t allow a hit or a runner past second base until the sixth.

&#8220I was just worried about getting three outs every inning, coming back in and letting our offense do what they can do,” Douglas said.

Douglas’ solo homer in the top of the third – one batter after Carson did the same – gave the Vikings an early 2-0 lead, then led off the fifth with a double and eventually scored on a passed ball to make it 3-0.

Warren Central added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning, and they turned out to be huge.

Cody Ferguson bunted into a fielder’s choice, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. Then Madison elected to intentionally walk Carson to bring up Ettinger with two outs and runners on first and third. Ettinger was 1-for-3 to that point, and delivered a deep fly ball to right. Madison’s Nathan Hardy misjudged it, allowing the ball to drop in for a two-run double that made it 5-0.

&#8220They intentionally walked Nick to get to him, which I don’t think was a bad move, and he’s up there smiling at the plate,” WC coach Randy Broome said. &#8220That’s the situation you want to be in