Snyder (12-8, 4-0) got its toughest test yet in district, overcoming several defensive miscues as Ashley Martinez went the distance in the 7-6 victory.
“We hit the ball, and the hitting helped out,” head coach Darren Pool said. “Ashley struggled a bit, and defensively we had a big let-down. They are a good hitting team, but we still have some work to do.”
Terann Ragland opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI double, then scored on an error after a Kelsi Johnson strike out. Amber Luecke drove in Johnson with a single, and the Lady Tigers held a 3-0 edge at the end of one.
Merkel (10-7, 2-2) tied it up at 3-3 in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Rachel Clanton slapped an infield hit, then raced all the way around to score after the throw to first rolled to the wall.
Merkel again tied it in the top of fourth, then took a 6-5 lead.
Ragland tied it up again in the bottom of the frame with a two-out double, and the Lady Tigers put it away in the fifth.
Snyder will travel to Denver City Friday to take on the Phillies.
The JV Lady Tigers pummeled Merkel, 20-1, Tuesday.
Jessica Calvert led the offensive barrage with a triple and five RBIs, while Kendra Birks and Joshlyn Tovar drove in three each.
Sarah Covington, Tera Robinson, and Erin Hackeld added two RBIs apiece, and Courtney Tyrrell drove in a run on a triple.
The JV girls will play their Denver City counterparts following the 5 p.m. varsity game Friday.