Softball Recap: Merkel Picks Up Eighth Consecutive Win

Merkel strolled into their game on Thursday with a perfect record and they left with the same. Their pitcher stepped up to hand the Ozona Lions a 9-0 shutout. Give the Badgers' pitching crew some credit: that's the team's third straight shutout.

Lily Nichols looked comfortable as she didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only two hits while striking out nine over four innings pitched.

At the plate, Sirena Flores was excellent, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in March of 2025. Paisley Penney was another key player, going 1-for-3 with two runs, one double, and one RBI.

Merkel was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .300 or higher in nine consecutive matchups dating back to last season.

Merkel's win bumped their record up to 8-0. As for Ozona, their loss dropped their record down to 1-3.

Merkel has already played their next game, a 10-3 victory against Reagan County on the 19th. As for Ozona, they will look to defend their home field on Tuesday against Sonora at 5:00 p.m.