By Glenn Sattell
Chronicle correspondent

The District 18-4A softball season has begun and three local teams look to be a factor in the playoff race.

The Montgomery Lady Bears, defending district co-champions have been very impressive this year winning 10 of their first 12 games. Included in that was a team title at the 32-team Katy Tournament, as well as a third-place finish at the Klein Tournament.

Montgomery, which made its seventh consecutive playoff appearance last season, entered district play ranked No. 4 in the state. They were one of two teams to start district ranked in the state’s top 10. The other was Brenham, which checked in at No. 2.

“We have one of the toughest districts in the state,” Montgomery coach Michelle Rochinski said. “You look at the rankings and how our teams did in the playoffs last year. All four teams won playoff games.”

Montgomery won 25 games last season (25-9) and is headed towards another 20-win season despite a brutal schedule that its coach put together.

“We need those games to prepare for our district,” Rochinski said.

Veteran pitcher Kyndall Reaves leads the way. Reaves won eight of her first 10 decisions this season and saved two more games while compiling a 1.87 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.

Megan Armistead has started the season on a torrid hitting pace. The sophomore hit .375 in her first 40 official at-bats.

Willis, which won its own tournament this season, is among the District 18-4A teams looking to be one of the four to extend its season again this year. The Lady Wildkats finished 9-6 in district last year and made the playoffs as the fourth seed.

Perhaps the surprise team of the season is Caney Creek. The Lady Panthers have roared out of the starting gate winning seven of their first 10 games.

“We got some momentum and some confidence heading into district, so we’re happy about that,” said Caney Creek coach Papadimitriou. “Our district is so tough. We want to be competitive against those teams.”