Merkel Badgers (Merkel, TX) backers exited the stadium thrilled Thursday as they saw their softball squad run past the visiting Ballinger Bearcats (Ballinger, TX), 11-2 in a league challenge.

The Badgers now own a 13-6 record. They take the field next when they host Coahoma for a 3A Region I District 6 challenge on Tuesday, April 2. Merkel will face a Bulldogs squad coming off a 16-0 league win over Jim Ned (Tuscola, TX). The Bulldogs record now stands at 19-0.

With the loss, Ballinger falls to 5-15 on the campaign. The Bearcats travel to Wall (Wall, TX) to face the Hawks in a 3A Region I District 6 challenge on Monday, April 1. The Hawks enter the challenge with a record of 19-5. Wall lost 12-6 in their recent league challenge against Clyde (Clyde, TX)