LITTLE CYPRESS – There is no question, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears wanted to get off to a high-flying start to the softball season as they will look to make a run at the District 22-4A crown and a deep run in the postseason.

Early on, the Lady Bears have played well under long-time head coach Dena Adkins.

LC-M opened its campaign with a nail-biting 4-3 victory over defending Class 4A state champion Liberty on Monday and are busy hosting their very own Southeast Texas Classic Thursday through Saturday.

The Lady Bears nailed down a 7-3 victory in six innings against the Vidor Lady Pirates to open their tournament Thursday.

LC-M dug itself a 3-0 hole after the top half of the first inning but rallied back quickly by putting together a 12-hit attack and scoring six runs in the bottom of the third frame.

Renna Toomey got the win on the hill for LC-M. She scattered two hits while striking out eight and walking none. Both Vidor hits came in the top of the first inning in which the Lady Bears also made three errors.

LC-M got to within 3-1 in the bottom of the second inning.

Bailey Frenzel led off with a double to right and Ally White followed with an infield single. Madeline Stephenson ended up bringing White home with a sacrifice fly.

The Lady Bears put together eight hits in their big fourth inning explosion as they batting around the order.

Payten Smith, who was 2-for-2, had a leadoff double to right. Madison Murdock, who was a perfect 3-for-3, then laced a RBI single up the middle.

With one out, Toomey singled up the middle and Brianna Frenzel followed with a single to right to load the bases. Bailey Frenzel promptly followed with a RBI single over short to tie the game at 3-3.

White, who was 2-for-2, had a RBI single past third to make it 4-3 and then JoAnna Henry upped it to 5-3 with a single past third.

With two outs, Smith batted for the second time in the inning, driving in two runs with a single past third.

The Lady Bears are playing six games in the tournament and all the games are on one hour and 15-minute time limits.

On Friday they will play Beaumont United at 4 p.m. and Hamshire-Fannett at 7 p.m. and on Saturday they will take on Deweyville at 1 p.m. and Vidor again at 7 p.m.