With a win tonight at Bazinsky Field, Warren Central can clinch the Division 4-6A title.

That would be a remarkable turnaround from their previous three seasons, when the Vikings went a combined 25-61. Standing in the way are the Vicksburg Gators (12-10, 2-2).

If you go

7 p.m. – Vicksburg hosts Warren Central

Division 4-6A

standings

Warren Central    5-0

Clinton                 3-3

Vicksburg             2-2

G’ville-Weston     0-5

Until last month’s 6-5 loss at WC, the Gators had not lost to the Vikings since the 2006 first-round playoff tournament in Southaven. Coming off a win at Pearl on Saturday, Gators coach Jamie Creel likes how his team stands going down the stretch.

“To be at 12 wins is maybe more than what some would expect,” Creel said. “There were some games maybe we shouldn’t have lost and some others we shouldn’t have won.

“The losses that we’ve had, however, have come against some pretty good folks. Lewisburg hasn’t lost since the Mid-Mississippi Classic. Three have been to Madison Central and then there’s one to Terry. The one that sticks out was to Yazoo City, but they are better than you think. They played Neshoba Central tough and had Ridgeland down four going to the last inning.”

Tonight’s game with the Vikings is the first of five division games to close the regular season. Vicksburg travels to Greenville-Weston for two games on Friday and then hosts Clinton on April 20 at Bazinsky Field. An April 23 game at WC closes the division play.

“Obviously its a big game. Warren Central can clinch the division if they win. We’d like to win it, but we have just as an important of a game next week against Clinton. We win that one, we make the playoffs. Either way, we’re expecting a pretty big crowd,” Creel said.

WC coach Josh Abraham said it was important for the Vikings to play a game Saturday against Brandon in order to shake off the cobwebs from a week’s layoff.

“We needed a prep game for Vicksburg. We used some of our other guys against Brandon but we will have (Colby) Key and (Jay) Harper ready for Tuesday,” Abraham said.

The Vikings (12-8, 5-0) are led by senior first baseman Dylan Wooten, who leads Warren County with 12 extra-base hits. Wooten is batting .443 with a county best 25 RBIs, which includes one in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Brandon. Dee White is hitting at an .305 clip with 19 runs scored while Key is at .383.

Harper and Key pace the Vikings pitching staff. Harper is 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA and 31 strikeouts while Key is 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA.

Vicksburg will likely go with lefthander and Hinds Community College signee Jacob Thomas (4-1, 2.35 ERA, 27 strikeouts). Centerfielder Lamar Anthony keys the offense with a .397 average with 24 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. Catcher Taylor Brocato is next at .393 and 20 RBIs.

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com