In this edition of the Strike Zone, staff writers Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss the first month of play in baseball and softball.

Which baseball team has had the most impressive start?

WA: The Bucs have started 11-2 and has allowed 23 runs while picking up impressive wins over Tioga, Northshore and Catholic-Baton Rouge.

RA: Sam Houston. After back-to-back trips to the Class 5A semifinals, the Sam Houston Broncos are at it again this year at 16-0 and a No. 1 power ranking and approaching last year’s 21-0 start. Sam Houston is loaded with Division I talent that is batting .390, led by McNeese State commitment Cameron Meeks, who is batting .488 with 13 extra -base hits, 22 RBIs and 17 runs, and a pitching staff that has a 1.01 earned run average.

Which softball has had the most impressive start?

WA: Barbe is 11-1, 4-0 in District 3-5A play and has wins over area rivals Sulphur and Sam Houston.

RA: Kinder. The Yellow Jackets are off to a 10-0 start and look to be an early favorite to return to the state tournament in Sulphur. Kinder has three full-time starters back from last year, but one of them is pitcher Laura Gartman, who has allowed one earned run in 421⁄3 innings and swings a pretty big stick with 15 RBIs.

Which players have stood out?

WA: South Bearegard’s hard-hitting tandem of Jaclyn Deason and Becca Hayes have led the Lady K’s to a 7-1 start.

RA: Pitkin’s Garrett Edwards and Sulphur’s Abi Massey. After leading Pitkin to the quarterfinals in basketball averaging more than 30 points, Edwards has already made himself known on the diamond. Since returning to the baseball team, he is batting .444 and struck out 22 batters in 15 innings. Massey (.417 avg., 23 RBIs) moved from third to catcher to replace McNeese State’s Gracie Devall and is leading Sulphur at the plate. She hit six home runs last week to help spark a six-game win streak.