After two weeks without a game because of Hurricane Gustav and other rain, Warren Central was anxious to get back on the softball field Thursday against Clinton.

The Lady Vikes weren’t on Lucy Young Field long, needing just four innings to dispatch a young Clinton team 13-1. The run rule win lifts WC to 8-4 on the season and gives them a tune up for Monday’s make-up division game at Brandon.

“Tonight was the first time we’ve played in two weeks but I thought our defense adjusted well,” WC coach Lucy Young said. “I’m still concerned about our bats. We’re still leaving too many runners on base but that may have been expected after such a long layoff.”

WC started slow against Clinton (1-8), scoring just a run in its first at bat and went to the second inning in a 1-1 game. A three-run double by Kaitlyn Patton opened up a 5-1 cushion in the bottom of the second and the Lady Vikes were able to cruise.

Kylie Wells had the second of her three hits in the third inning, to knock in two runs and up the lead to 8-1. In the bottom of the fourth, senior Mandy Fuller led off with a solo home-run to right. With two out and the bases-loaded, Kendra Tolliver drove in three with another double. She scored the 13th run off a pinch hit to end the game in four innings.

“We need our top four hitters to come through for us, but tonight it was the girls near the end that came through for us, like Chelsea Worley, Kylie and Kendra,” Young said.

The Lady Vikes finished with 12 hits. Wells had three hits and scored twice. Patton and Tolliver each drove in three  off their doubles while Chelsea Worley had two hits and scored three runs.

Young says she expects a tough game with Brandon. The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Vikes last year to claim the division title.

“Brandon has another good solid team. We’re going to have to take our best game there,” Young said.

After Brandon, WC goes to Yazoo City on Tuesday and then next Thursday Vicksburg comes to Young Field. Young said the Missy Gators will be the home team even though the game will be at WC.