After a shaky start to its spring break trip, Warren Central had a wonderful time.

Caleb Sterling hit a two-run home run and pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, Vantrel Reed and Chase Graham each drove in two runs, and the Vikings ripped Gulfport 9-3 Saturday at MGM Park in Biloxi in their final game at the Battle at the Beach spring break baseball tournament.

Warren Central (11-4) lost 10-0 to Biloxi in its tournament opener. It then won three games against Columbia Academy, Stone and Gulfport (9-5) by a combined score of 30-6.

The Vikings scored in 11 of the 16 innings played during their three wins. They got going early on Saturday, with a two-out walk by Reed setting up Sterling’s two-run homer in the top of the first inning.

The Vikings added an unearned run in the second inning, and three more in the third to blow it open. Sterling hit an RBI double and Landon Bull an RBI single to make it 6-1.
They kept the pressure on by scoring again in the fourth and sixth innings while Sterling moved to the pitcher’s mound and closed the door.

Sterling allowed one hit and no walks, and struck out six in 3 2/3 innings.

Starting pitcher Farmer Abendroth went 3 1/3 innings and allowed three runs. Abendroth gave up four hits and two walks, and struck out three.

At the plate, Sterling finished 2-for-4 with a home run, double, three RBIs and two runs scored. Reed and Graham both had two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored, and Shane Lewis went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Baylor Ormes was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Gulfport.

Warren Central will begin the second half of its season Tuesday with a home game at 7 p.m. against Region 4-6A rival Greenville.