Warren Central’s pitching staff continued its mastery over opposing hitters on Saturday, and got a little bit of run support to boot.

It was an unbeatable combination.

Alan Kivett threw a four-hit shutout, Caleb Sterling hit a two-run home run, and the Vikings routed Hernando 8-0 to complete a two-game sweep in the first round of the MHSAA Class 6A baseball playoffs.

The Vikings advanced to face Madison Central in a second-round series beginning Friday.
Warren Central (21-8) scored all of its runs in the first three innings. Sterling’s homer staked them to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, and Sean Daily had an RBI single in the second. They then blew it open with four in the top of the third inning, with two of them coming across on another base hit by Daily.

Kivett posted the team’s third consecutive shutout. In the sweep of Hernando, WC’s pitchers allowed 11 hits and one walk.

WC’s pitchers will take a 24-inning scoreless streak into the series against Madison Central.