Clements did things backward in its first week, opening with a district game before heading to the season’s first tournament.

Maybe that’s the new recipe for success.

Liz Paul (Billy Smith II/Chronicle)The Lady Rangers went 5-0 at the Bryan tournament behind Liz Paul, who recorded 54 strikeouts in 33 innings and threw three straight shutouts, including a 2-0 win over Bellaire in the title game.

“It was a tournament with a lot of great teams and we were able to go there and shut out some great teams, especially giving up zero runs in the last three games,” Clements coach David McCorkle said.

“That was a big thing, knowing you can keep great teams to zeros or ones. Any time you do that you have a chance to win.”

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It’s not a total shock Clements is winning again. It’s coming off a fifth co-district championship in nine years under McCorkle.

But it is surprising how sharp they’ve been early, considering the loss of five key starters: leadoff batter/SS Michelle Downing, 2B Tara Nemec, 1B Ally Ensor, C Erin Dooley and RF Erin Roberts.

“I’m surprised considering our scrimmages,” McCorkle said. “We looked very shaky offensively and then Liz had a hard time finding the zone.

“But we went to Bryan and Liz found the zone, moved the ball around and changed speeds. Offensively, we executed very well. We didn’t knock the cover off the ball but we did some things right, moving runners and getting timely hits.”

The Lady Rangers also have been helped by the addition of three freshman starters playing beyond their years.

SS Darby Rose has been great defensively, C Caitlin Letterman has controlled the action and worked well with Paul, and LF Hannah Dowell led the team in doubles and RBIs through six games.

But it’s Paul who’s dazzled the most at the outset, quickly moving to 6-0, with 64 strikeouts to just four walks in her first six outings.

McCorkle says she’s improved her pitches across the board, had a better understanding of when to use each pitch and has stayed ahead of hitters.

“I knew she had the stuff,” he said. “I just didn’t know when she was going to mature and be able to be a great pitcher rather than a great thrower, and she definitely was a great pitcher this weekend.”

Which is one of the reasons why Clements is among the favorites again this season.