The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears played in all their scheduled tournaments and even completed two district games last year. The Lady Bears were looking really good and clicking on all cylinders before the pandemic prevented them from showing how good they could have been.
Coach Dena Adkins returns some quality Lady Bears from last season. Pitcher and outfielder Karson Friar will be a leader for the Lady Bears. Swinging a powerful bat is Bailey Frenzel while playing several positions.
Lakin Adkins is an outfielder who will play some at first base. Batting leadoff for the Lady Bears is shortstop Madeline Stephenson. “I have Cami Shugart who is going to be a junior this year who is going to be doing some pitching and playing utility infield,” Adkins pointed out.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville seldom has to rebuild, it just reloads. Adkins identified some Lady Bears moving up to the varsity. A surprise move-in because of the hurricanes last year is Shae Fontenot from Louisiana. Fontenot is a great athlete and will move into the catcher’s position which was left vacant because four-year starter Olivia Leavings graduated.
Some younger Lady Bears should see playing time for Little Cypress-Mauriceville. Ava Wright has played outfield in all of the varsity scrimmages and has hit two homeruns. Ashlyn Wilson may get time playing on the varsity squad as a junior. Adkins advised, “There’s a lot of surprises out there I think waiting to happen.”
Hitting has been a hallmark for the Lady Bears. Coach Adkins said there will be some good sticks in her lineup if the scrimmages and early games are any indication for this season.
The coach always tries to have a strong lineup with nine good hitters, and right now she has a solid five. Anyone who can come off the bench and swing the bat will be called on to get the job done. “I think I might have a couple of sophomores in Kayley Dyer and Ansley Moore that could swing a big bat for me this year,” Adkins added.
Winning teams in softball must have strong pitching, and Adkins thinks she has some ladies that can get the job done in the circle. Lefty Karson Friar was looking outstanding before COVID cancelled the last season. Friar has pitched great in the scrimmages and early games this year.
Cami Shugart throws from the right side with some serious heat and could start some games in the circle. Bailey Frenzel is an amazing finisher who can throw hard with good movement for a couple of innings. Adkins hinted, “Also, I have a couple of sophomores that can throw in the circle, but I don’t think I’ll ever have to go to them on the varsity.”
Making the playoffs and advancing is always a goal for the Lady Bears. Coach Adkins evaluated this year’s chances for Little Cypress-Mauriceville. She tells her girls the number one expectation is to play their best and come out on top in the end.
Orangefield has returned to the district and will be a good adversary. Lumberton was an opponent last year and has some good players returning. Vidor has also been added to the district. “I tell my kids every time you step on the field we are playing the returning state champions, I don’t care who they are you treat them like they are the returning state champions, and you play as hard as you can, and you don’t let up until the game’s is over,” Adkins concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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