The hits for Lake Cormorant came early and with ease against Vicksburg High Tuesday evening in the opener of their Class 5A softball playoff series.

Lake Cormorant’s K.K. Agner led off the game with a home run, Mayson Ray had two hits and scored two runs, and Bre Shafter was 2-for-2 with three runs scored as Lake Cormorant beat the Missy Gators 12-0.

Lake Cormorant scored three runs in the first inning, four in the third and four more in the sixth to win via the mercy rule and take a 1-0 lead back home in the best-of-three series.

Game 2 is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake Cormorant. If Vicksburg can win to force a deciding Game 3, it’ll be played immediately afterward.

Vicksburg coach Brian Ellis said the Missy Gators need to regain their confidence, which was depleted by Lake Cormorant’s fast start in Game 1.

“That’s one of the things I talked about with the girls. Right off the bat in that first inning, second inning, once we went to six hitters everybody was like ‘ugh.’ Confidence went down,” Ellis said.

Lake Cormorant pitcher Harley Smith had 13 strikeouts in a complete game victory. She didn’t walk a batter, and only gave up one hit. She retired the first 10 batters she faced before Bethany Martin singled with one out in the fourth inning. The only other Vicksburg player to reach base was Jada Sims, on an error in the sixth inning.

“I’m really proud of Harley in the circle,” Lake Cormorant coach Chris Smith said. “She did a great job. She’s my senior. She’s playing at Northwest (Mississippi Community College) next year, signed a scholarship. She’s done a great job for me all year long.”

Ellis said the Missy Gators are simply going to have to hit the ball better to keep their season alive.

“We didn’t do a very good job today,” Ellis said. “We have to find a way to get confident.”

Lake Cormorant had nine hits — including RBI doubles by both Hannah Connel and Brinna Raines — but Vicksburg committed six errors to hurt itself. Vicksburg pitcher Olivia Oakes allowed nine hits, five walks and 12 runs in six innings, but only six of the runs were earned.

“We played a very good team, but we played a beatable team. We just didn’t get ourselves into it,” Ellis said. “If we make all the plays that are there for us to make — and that’s routine stuff — then we’re finishing up the seventh inning.”

VICKSBURG VS. LAKE CORMORANT

MHSAA Class 5A softball playoffs

Game 1: Lake Cormorant 12, Vicksburg 0

Game 2: Thursday, 4:30 p.m., at Lake Cormorant

Game 3: Thursday, 7 p.m., at Lake Cormorant (if necessary)