Warren Central avoided a rainout on a soggy Thursday afternoon, but not a loss.

Chance Loveritch delivered a bases-clearing double and then scored on another double by Reed Kellum during a six-run second inning that propelled Jackson Prep to an 8-2 victory over Warren Central in the opening game of the Mid-Mississippi Classic.

Caleb Sterling had given the Vikings a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning, but Jackson Prep responded with its big rally in the second and never trailed again.

Jerrion Ealy scored on a passed ball in the fourth inning and then homered in the sixth to help the Patriots pad their lead. Ealy finished the game 1-for-3. He walked, homered, and scored three runs.

Bryson Weeks also went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored for Jackson Prep (8-0), which had five of its seven hits go for extra bases.

Vantrel Reed scored both of Warren Central’s runs. He was hit by a pitch twice, scored on Sterling’s sacrifice fly in the first inning and then an error in the third. The Vikings only had four hits against Prep pitchers Kelly Crumpton and Hayden Hill.

Crumpton threw six strong innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, walked two batters and struck out 11.

Warren Central pitcher Christian Oakes, the reigning Vicksburg Post Player of the Year, was roughed up in his season debut. He allowed six runs, five of them earned, on six hits and two walks. He struck out four and only lasted two innings before giving way to the bullpen.

Collin Standish pitched four innings of relief. He allowed two runs, one earned, and one hit. He struck out six. Hank Holdiness finished with one inning of scoreless ball.

Oakes was pitching less than two weeks after he was in a car accident that left him with a broken nose and 75 stitches on his face.

Warren Central (2-2) will turn its attention to out-of-state competition for its last two games of the Mid-Mississippi Classic. It will play Alabama schools Faith Academy (Mobile) and Hillcrest (Tuscaloosa).

The game against Faith will be played Friday at 4 p.m. at Northwest Rankin High School. Saturday’s game against Hillcrest is at noon at Pearl.