Perhaps bored by their normal late-inning heroics, the Warren Central Vikings invented a new way to pull a win from the jaws of defeat.
Zach Cox’s high fly ball was lost in the lights by a Davidson (Ala.) outfielder, and pinch-runner Curtis Ross hustled home from second as it fell to the ground Friday night to give Warren Central a 10-9 walk-off win in the Mid-Mississippi Classic at Ridgeland High School.
It was the fifth consecutive game Warren Central (4-1) has played in which the winning run was scored in the sixth inning or later. For the second straight day, the Vikings let a four-run lead slip away in the top of the sixth before rallying to win.
“It makes sleeping easy and waking up everyday fun and interesting,” WC coach Conner Douglas said. “Long as we keep winning, I’ll take it all year.”
Cameron Upton went 3-for-3 with three runs scored for Warren Central, while Cox and Brooks Boolos had two hits apiece. Hunter Bell had two hits, including a double, and three RBIs.
Boolos, who was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, also pitched one inning of scoreless relief to earn the win. It was the third straight game in which he’s factored into the decision. He took the loss Tuesday against Brandon, earned a save Thursday against Germantown, and got the win Friday.
The Vikings rallied from an early 4-0 deficit and led 8-4 heading into the sixth. Davidson (1-6) scored five times to regain the lead, but in the bottom half of the inning Upton singled, stole second, moved to third on a fly out and scored on a passed ball to tie it at 9.
The winning rally started when Carlisle Koestler led off the bottom of the seventh with a double. He was replaced on the base paths by the speedy Ross. Cox followed with a high fly ball to left center that Davidson’s outfielders couldn’t find, and Ross scurried home to give WC the win.