Making the playoffs has been a given for the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears in previous seasons. This year could be a rebuilding season for the Lady Bears, who have only one senior on their varsity roster.
Coach Dena Adkins has some players returning from last year’s squad that was eliminated in the playoff’s first round. Adkins is counting on junior Jenna James to return in the circle and do good things for the Lady Bears. Kayla Manuel in leftfield is the only senior on the team and could be the leading hitter for LC-M especially in the early going. Getting a little more playing time this season is Makayla Dyer, she’s also a junior.
Freshmen should make a big impact on the LC-M varsity this season according to Coach Adkins. Four freshmen could be in the starting lineup at the top of the batting order for the Lady Bears. Pitcher Brianna Frenzel will see time in the circle behind James. Ally White and Renna Toomey are both utility players, both pitch, one catches, both play shortstop, and both are all around good athletes. Adkins has found a leadoff hitter in Maddison Murdock who is starting in centerfield as a freshman. The coach says those freshmen will learn a lot, grow a lot, do things they did not even know they could do, and Adkins is looking for a lot of great things to happen.
LC-M has had a history of good hitters. Adkins looks at her hitting prospects from the current Lady Bears. So far, the only homerun by the Lady Bears is from Shelby Smith who will be at first base. Adkins is expecting big things from Smith’s bat. Also expected to come through is Kayla Manuel driving in a lot of runs and hitting plenty of dingers. Adkins adds it is going to be a surprise to see who is going to swing the best bats, and she cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.
Coach Adkins likes the work put in during the off season by Jenna James to be the ace in the circle for the Lady Bears. James’ effort shows as she has developed some outstanding breaking pitches which have flustered many a batter in the early going. When she is on her game James has control and control of the opposing hitters. Backing her up is Brianna Frenzel who throws a little harder, but still has some learning to do in the circle. Renna Toomey and Ally White will serve as relievers. Adkins has lefthander J. C. Perry who started some last year is coming off an injury and will contribute in the circle as well.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville maybe young, but Coach Adkins is counting on scrimmages and non-district games to get the Lady Bears ready to compete again in district. Adkins tells her girls that the scrimmages, tournaments, and non-district games are to learn about themselves, to find what their weaknesses are, and correct those problem areas. Coach Adkins wants the Lady Bears to learn the game in the non-district so as to be ready to do really good things in district.
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