Merced Bears (Merced, CA) backers exited the stadium thrilled Thursday as they saw their softball squad nip the visiting Ceres Bulldogs (Ceres, CA), 8-1 in a non-league challenge.

The Bears now own a 3-0 record. They take the field next when they travel to West for a non-league challenge on Monday, March 4. Merced will battle a Wolfpack squad coming off a 10-2 non-league win over Oakdale (Oakdale, CA). The Wolfpack record now stands at 1-0.

With the loss, Ceres falls to 1-2 on the campaign. The Bulldogs host Gregori (Modesto, CA) to battle the in a non-league challenge on Friday, March 1. The enter the challenge with a record of 2-0. Gregori won 10-3 in their recent non-league challenge against Central Valley (Ceres, CA)