MERKEL – The Brownwood Lions baseball team returned to the win column Saturday, ending a two-game skid with a 17-0 victory over Merkel on the Badgers’ home turf to cap Sweetwater tournament action.

Brownwood raced out to an early advantage with four runs in the top of the first inning, then tacked on five more runs in the third, and scored eight additional runs in the fifth frame.

On the mound, the Lions recorded their fifth shutout as Noah Gonzalez pitched all five innings, allowing one hit with 10 strikeouts and four walks.

At the plate, Brownwood generated a dozen hits led by three and two RBIs apiece from Robbie Robinson and Evan Escobar; two and a pair of RBIs from Austin Pittman; two and one RBI from Harrison Sweeney; one and two RBIs from Gonzalez; and one hit from Austin Wright.

Brownwood also drew six walks on offense and was aided by five Merkel errors.

The Lions (5-3) will return to action Thursday when it competes in the three-day Abilene High tournament.