In a doubleheader against Madison Central in the regular-season finale Tuesday, Warren Central’s softball team was run-ruled 14-4 in the first game but rallied back to win the second 7-6.

And that pretty much sums up the Lady Vikes’ topsy-turvy winning season in a nutshell.

“A lot of ups and downs. Had some good days, bad days. It’s a mix of highs and lows,” WC coach Dana McGivney said.

From here on, the Lady Vikes are hoping for a lot more highs than lows.

Warren Central (12-9) will open the first round of the MHSAA Class 6A playoffs on the road against Tupelo (14-9) Friday at 5:30 p.m. Games 2 and 3 of the best-of-three series will be played as a doubleheader Saturday at Warren Central’s Lucy Young Field beginning at 3 p.m.

While McGivney tried to get a scouting report on the Golden Wave, she said she’s hoping her team plays with intensity, but also plays loose.

“We try to have the kids understand that no matter what game it is, whether it’s the first game of the season or it’s playoffs, you have to approach every game with the same intensity,” McGivney said. “One game is not more important than the other.

“Obviously if you don’t win in the playoffs then you don’t continue to play, but if you go in putting that pressure on yourselves then it makes it that much harder to perform.”

The confidence level of the Lady Vikes increased from their doubleheader split with Madison Central, a perennial power, which is important heading into the postseason. McGivney said Tuesday’s games showed they can be successful if they play well.

“If you can beat a team like Madison, you can do well in the playoffs,” she said.

The Lady Vikes also take with them improved hitting into the postseason. The team as a whole has hit the ball hard, and has a .319 batting average as a team. Brooke Patterson (.500, five doubles, 17 runs scored) and Cocoa Fultz (.432, 11 RBIs, 22 runs scored) lead the team.

“We just want everybody to improve individually in hitting the ball and hitting the ball hard,” McGivney said. “Overall, just looking at our hitting statistics it looks like we’ve definitely done that in some areas. There are a few areas we need to work on but that will improve.”

WARREN CENTRAL VS. TUPELO

Class 6A Playoffs

Game 1: Friday, 5:30 p.m., at Tupelo

Game 2: Saturday, 3 p.m., at WC

Game 3: Saturday, 5:30 p.m., at WC (if necessary)