Softball Recap: Merced Picks Up 12th Consecutive Win

Bears

Previous Games

04/10/25 @ Los Banos	13-5
04/09/25 @ Atwater	4-0
04/08/25 @ El Capitan	24-1
04/03/25 vs Buhach Colony	5-0
03/27/25 @ Golden Valley	8-2
+ 7 more games

Merced came tearing into Thursday's match with 11 straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 7.5 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They were the clear victors by a 13-5 margin over the Los Banos Tigers. The Bears might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won ten contests by six runs or more this season.

Haiden Priddell made a splash while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over five innings while giving up just one earned (and four unearned) runs off six hits. She has been consistent for a while: she hasn't given up more than two walks in 14 consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.

In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Antonia Lejarde, who went 2-for-5 with three RBI, one run, and one double. Those three RBI gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Lillian Gallegos, who went 1-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.

Merced hit smart and finished the game with only two strikeouts. The team has now struck out at least five batters in four consecutive games.

Merced pushed their record up to 16-2-1 with the win, which was their sixth straight on the road. Those road victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.5 runs over those games. As for Los Banos, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost six of their last seven matchups. That's put a noticeable dent in their 7-10 record this season.

Merced didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next contest, a 9-0 win against Golden Valley on the 16th. As for Los Banos, they have also already played their next game, a 9-3 loss against Atwater on the 15th.