The Vicksburg Gators will face tougher challenges than what they’ve seen the past couple of games. No matter what, though, a winning streak never hurt anybody.

Kendrick Bershell went 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored, Dylan Whitfield struck out 10 batters in six innings on the mound, and the Gators beat Yazoo City 7-2 on Tuesday for their second win in a row.

Vicksburg (2-2) has scored 25 runs in its brief winning streak. Bershell is 4-for-6 with three RBIs and five runs scored in the last two games.

Bershell tripled and scored on a dropped third strike in the fifth inning, and had an RBI single in the seventh to push the lead to 7-1.

Whitfield has also been a bright spot. After scoring two runs and driving in two more in an 18-3 win over Porter’s Chapel Academy last Friday, Whitfield had a two-run single and scored a run in the third inning against Yazoo City. That was part of a four-run rally that gave the Gators a 4-0 lead.

Whitfield had things well in control on the mound, as well. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning, and wound up allowing three hits, one walk and two runs in six innings. Wayllon Ramo finished up with a scoreless seventh inning.

Jarren McCaplin also had an RBI single and scored two runs for the Gators.

Tuesday’s game was the start of a five-game road swing for Vicksburg. It will play at Loyd Star on Thursday, Pelahatchie on Friday and Franklin County on Saturday. Its Region 4-5A opener is next Tuesday at Ridgeland.

Brandon 8, Warren Central 2
Gentry Tigrett and Holden Sumrall drove in two runs apiece, and Brandon jumped on Warren Central for eight runs in the first three innings as the Vikings’ early-season slump continued.

Sumrall had an RBI double in the second inning and an RBI single in the third.
Warren Central has lost three of its first four games, and allowed at least eight runs in all three losses. It committed five errors in Tuesday’s game, and pitchers Alan Kivett and Clayton Thurman combined to issue six walks and three wild pitches.

All eight runs were charged to Kivett. Thurman allowed two hits and two walks in four innings of scoreless relief.

Chase Graham had two hits for Warren Central. Hank Holdiness drove in the team’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, and Wesley Ricks had an RBI single in the seventh inning.

Warren Central will play in the Mid-Mississippi Classic tournament beginning Thursday in Rankin County. The Vikings play three Alabama teams in a three-day span beginning with Calera at 2 p.m. Thursday at Pearl High School. They’ll also play Hillcrest and UMS Wright Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 3, respectively. The latter two games will both be at Northwest Rankin.

Northwest Rankin 8, St. Aloysius 1
Carson Chapman hit a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning and scored on a double by Jake Lycette to lead a late charge that carried Northwest Rankin past St. Aloysius.

Northwest Rankin (4-0) scored six runs in its last two at-bats — three in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth — to blow open a close game.

Chapman finished 2-for-3 with a single, walk, three RBIs and two runs scored. Reid Trimble walked and scored twice, while starting pitcher Hayden Miller allowed one run and struck out eight in five innings.

St. Al committed seven errors.

Brandon Steed had two hits for the Flashes. Haden Luke allowed three runs, only two earned, and four hits in five innings on the mound. He struck out six batters and walked four.

St. Al will play at Madison-St. Joseph Saturday at 3 p.m.