ENID, OKLA. ? This was the opening the Lawrence Raiders anticipated.

The Lawrence 18-and-under American Legion baseball team opened the Enid Fourth of July Woodbat Tournament by beating the Wichita Hit Men, 7-1, Wednesday in Enid, Okla.

The Raiders, who improved to 18-11 on the season, won behind seven solid innings from pitcher Aaron Madill, and had little problem adjusting offensively from alumnium bats to wood.

Lawrence coach Carl Brooks said he was pleased with his team’s approach, even if it did start slowly.

“We only struck out once in the game,” Brooks said. “So we were hitting the ball. It just took awhile to get adjusted to the wood.”

Derek Bailey, Tommy Mangino and Mike Morrell each had two hits for Lawrence, which will play Arlington, Texas, today.

Arlington lost its opening game, 2-1, to Lawton, Okla.

The Raiders will play Lawton Friday.

Raiders 7, Wichita Hit Men 1

Lawrence 000 303 1 7 9 0

Wichita 000 100 0 1 6 1

WP Madill (6-1) L McGregor

Raiders highlights Tommy Mangino 2-for-4; Derek Bailey 2-for-3 2B, 3 RBIs; Mike Morrell 2-for-3; Matt Berner, 2B, RBI; Andrew Pyle 2B.