Warren Central wanted to get every player on its roster some field time Thursday afternoon, and it almost cost the Lady Vikes a victory.

Greenville, one of the weakest teams in Class 5A, scored eight runs over the final four innings and the Lady Vikes held on for a 10-8 win.

The Lady Vikes, who open the Class 5A state playoffs at home on Saturday against Hancock, saw Thursday’s game as a way to allow many players who don’t usually get to see playing time to get in the game.

&#8220I wanted to get a commanding lead early, then get our young girls in there,” WC coach Chris Perritt said. &#8220We didn’t get it done, so I decided to just pull everybody after that bad fourth inning.

&#8220That was the plan the entire time. I thought we would have had a commanding lead, but we didn’t.”

Tiffany Fuller pitched the first four innings, allowing one run on three hits. She was relieved by Ashley Baker, who pitched the final three innings.

Warren Central had only six hits, but took advantage of 12 Greenville walks to build a 7-1 lead going into the fifth inning.

Kirsten Tackett singled and doubled to lead WC (11-8), while Mandy Fuller belted a home run in the win.

Camissa Jackson tripled and homered to lead Greenville.

Perritt said he would have his team back on the field this morning at 10 in preparation for the 11 a.m. playoff start time on Saturday.

&#8220I think (the Greenville win) is a wake-up call for us,” Perritt said. &#8220It tells us that we better get ready to play.”

Hancock, the runners-up in Division 8-5A, lost a 2-1 heartbreaker to division champion Harrison Central on Tuesday. The Lady Hawks are similar to the Lady Vikes in that they have a quality catcher and pitcher, can hit, but at times struggle on defense, Perritt said.

&#8220They play the same style ball we play, so it should be an interesting game,” Perritt said.

Warren Central will host Hancock for the first game at 11, and the second game will follow at 1. If the two teams split the Saturday series, a deciding third game will be played on Tuesday in Kiln.

Vicksburg, meanwhile, will have to travel north to play Division 1-5A champion Horn Lake.

Horn Lake beat out defending Class 5A North State champion Southaven for the division championship. A victory would give the Missy Gators a matchup with either Brandon or Columbus in the second round.

Warren Central earned a home playoff series by beating winless Natchez in two division games. Despite having no wins, Natchez reached the playoffs because they were in a two-team division with Warren Central.