• New coach, 4 starters to carry on momentum
for district champion softball squad
• Ada baseball squad looks to continue upward rise
By Cort Reynolds
Baseball
(Softball preview is below baseball preview)
ADA - The Ada varsity baseball team looks to continue improving with the return of 15 lettermen and several starters among its deep 29-player roster.
The Bulldogs finished 5-15 overall and 1-7 in Northwest Conference play in 2018 but were better, even if the record did not adequately show it.
Veteran Bulldog head coach Jason Campbell enters his seventh year at the helm of the Bulldog program (29-125 overall, 6-50 NWC) optimistic that the squad could be his best yet at Ada.
"This is the deepest roster I have had here," said Campbell. "We have quantity and quality. We have four solid pitchers who can find the plate, and three others to back them up."
The roster boasts nine seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores and six freshmen.
Ada will have to replace graduate All-NWC shortstop Aaron Everhart, who set several program career offensive records.
But versatile junior Phillip Coulson is back to handle key roles at shortstop and on the mound. The feisty Coulson is the team's top starting hurler back.
The right-hander led the team with three mound victories and kept the club competitive in most games with his stuff and highly competitive motor.
"Phil is a consistent strike-thrower," said Campbell, who was a left-handed hurler at Capital University. "All four of our projected starters have good control."
Junior Landon Blankenship, senior Connor Frazier and senior southpaw Matthew Middlebrook comprise the res of a solid four-man starting rotation.
The 6-6 Frazier returns to the program after sitting out last year. Middlebrook is the lone lefty while Blankenship is a tough competitor on the mound.
Side-arming Middlebrook is the staff's southpaw starting hurler, and recorded the team's other victory on the mound last spring. "Matt has really developed and has a good fastball," said the coach.
The fiery Blankenship is back after starting some of the last few seasons behind the plate and in the infield.
He is a solid hitter and tough competitor who won a game on the hill in 2018. Strong senior Austin Amburgey will likely man the catcher spot along with backup help from sophomore Trent Ennis and spunky sophomore Zac Swaney.
The power-hitting Amburgey was the Bulldog rookie of the year in 2016, and will also serve as a designated hitter at times.
Experienced senior letterman Jaylin Burkhart returns as the starting first baseman. Tall classmate Frazier may also see some time at first base, along with Ennis.
Second base is expected to be manned by sophomore Jacob Morgan. Blankenship and speedy soph Jake Poling will also see action at the keystone position.
Morgan will also play shortstop when Coulson toes the rubber. The athletic Coulson will play shortstop most of the rest of the innings when he isn't pitching. He has a good arm and solid range.
Steady junior Bryce Paul returns to handle the hot corner third base spot. Amburgey and sophomore Devon Cole will also lend depth at third base.
Power-hitting senior Ethan Hall and speedy sophomore Daniel Mattson are expected to share left field duties.
The speedy Swaney will patrol center field, with help from strong junior Dylan East and senior Noah Garmon.
Right field will be shared by "everyone else" said Campbell, from among a group led by freshman Tyler Jameson, Mattson, junior Ethan Hull, senior newcomer Brice Ferguson, and senior returnees Kolton Spangler and Curtis Geckle.
Swaney is expected to ignite the offense atop the order with his speed and hustle. He can cover plenty of ground in the outfield as well on defense.
Junior Tyson Moore also returns as a letterman and will play the middle infield positions.
In the NWC race, Campbell says "The usual suspects, Lincolnview and Crestview, look like the favorites. They just reload."
Lincolnview, Crestview and Delphos Jefferson shared the NWC title last spring, with each club going 7-1. Ada tied for seventh with Bluffton and Columbus Grove, whom Coulson beat 3-2 in the regular season finale.
"I think the upper half of the NWC will be good," Campbell offered. "I think finishing in the top half of the league is an achievable goal for us," he added.
The coach named some other attainable goals for 2019.
"We want to be competitive in every game," he said. "This is a hump year for our program. We have to make the routine plays to get over that hump. We have a lot of second-year lettermen who are ready to peak if we get momentum."
Ada lost to Fostoria 6-0 in the sectional first round last year but hopes to advance this spring in the tournament.
Campbell admitted that offense is a concern. "Right now, our defense is ahead our hitting. We have to get on base in order to utilize our speed," he noted.
Blankenship, Coulson, East and Amburgey look to be the top returning hitters, with the strong Hall and Amburgey also providing some pop.
"Hall and Amburgey are our top returning power hitters," said Campbell.
"Our second-year guys especially have a lot of speed," Campbell said. "This is one my fastest teams here. I have a lot of pinch-running options. Pitching and speed are some of our stengths."
Rounding out the 29-man roster are versatile sophomore returnee Tristin Conley, sophomore Cody Johnston, soph Luke Westover and freshman Kadin Phipps.
"We have a lot of young talent pushing our upperclassmen, so we have very good competition and depth," said Campbell. "The internal competition for positions will only make us better."
Former Bulldog Gabe Sutton and Bill Morgan will serve as assistant coaches for Campbell this spring.
Ada is slated to open the spring campaign at Perry in a twinbill March 23, weather permitting. The home lidlifter is set for March 25 vs. county rival Hardin Northern.
NWC play starts April 4 at Bluffton, while the Bulldog home league opener is April 8 vs. local rival Allen East.
Ada was 1-5 at home and 4-10 away last year, and sports 15 home dates on its 25-game schedule this spring.
New coach, 4 starters to carry on momentum for district champion Ada softball
ADA - The Ada softball team lost a very strong senior class of five veteran starters to graduation, a core that led the program to its first-ever district title in 2018.
New Lady Bulldog head coach Rebecca Dicke has been tasked with keeping that positive momentum going. Toward achieving that end she has some key players, including ace sophomore hurler Leona Dalton, back in the fold as the 2019 club also seeks to create its own identity.
Speedy, experienced senior starters Raina England and Alexis Ennis also return along with junior infielder Sidney Gossard from the district champion nine.
Ada finished 17-9 and 5-3 in the Northwest Conference in 2018, and the Bulldogs tied for fourth in the league with Bluffton.
After beating rival Columbus Grove 6-2 in the district finals, the purple and gold narrowly lost 3-2 in extra innings at the regional semifinals to Defiance Tinora at Findlay.
Seven seniors graduated as the winningest class (57-41) in Bulldog softball program history.
The 17 wins Ada compiled last year also broke the previous record of 15 tied by the 2016 Bulldogs. Ada compiled a 45-27 record over the past three seasons, so the bar has been set high for ensuing players.
"Just because a lot of talent graduated last year does not mean we can't do well this season," said Dicke. "The girls have the basics down and have good swings. They are aggressive."
The four aforementioned returning starters will spearhead the task of carrying on last year's success.
England was a very solid defender at second base the past two springs. This year, she will move over to handle the important shortstop position vacated by the graduation of second team all-leaguer Olivia Alexander.
England has good hands and reactions, is a solid-line drive hitter with some power, and is a good slap-hitter and bunter. She has fine speed and is a very focused player. The steady senior will have to move to the forefront of the team this spring as a leader by example.
Ennis will take over the center field duties handled by slick-fielding honorable menton all-leaguer Kaiti Newland the past several years. The senior played primarily in right field the past two years, and features a solid throwing arm and good range.
Ennis possesses good speed and is a solid hitter who will likely take over the leadoff hitter duties this spring. "She is a good slapper," said Dicke. She is also a solid baserunner.
Gossard played mostly first and some second base in her first two seasons, but will likely replace her all-league sister Maddie at the important hot corner third base spot this spring. The sure-handed, slugging Maddie is playing collegiately at Heidelberg this spring.
No matter where she will play defensively, Sidney lends flexibility and depth to the infield. Third base is an especially key defensive position due to the quantity of bunting that takes place in fast-pitch softball.
Workhorse hurler Dalton compiled an impressive 14-9 record as a freshman to lead the pitching staff. She got even better as the season went on, pitching very well down the stretch and in the post-season.
She will be counted on to carry most of, if not the entire pitching load, for Ada this spring. Maintaining arm health is paramount for Dalton and Ada this spring.
"Dalton will go most of our innings," said Dicke. "Raina and Aubrey Madison will fill in some innings. But I think Leona can handle the load. We are hoping for big things from her."
Willowy sophomore Aubrey Madison is "a key returnee" said Dicke. Madison is expected to play first base and pitch a little as needed. She also has good speed.
Strong sophomore Lexi Waugh will take over the critical catching duties. Like her first team all-league predecessor Sydney Newland, Waugh is a left-handed backstop. Newland is now playing for ONU after starting for four seasons at Ada.
"Being left-handed can be an advantage behind the plate," noted Dicke. "She will add to the offense, and has tough shoes to fill."
Sophomore Brenna George has good speed and will likely share second base duties with sophomore infielder Kiersten Cortez. The duo could also share time at right field.
Sophomore Tori Green saw a little action at catcher last year and had success as a pinch hitter in 2018. Green also possesses good speed, and will get the first crack at left field.
Junior returnee Melina Temple will also see action as a pinch hitter/outfielder. Freshmen Lexi White, Page Seitz and Morgan Dirmeyer round out the 13-player roster. The team boasts two seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen.
"We will have to put the ball in play offensively," the new head coach noted.
Defense was a strength for the Bulldogs last season, which will be needed to aod the pitching staff. Dicke feels speed, a solid offense and defense are team strengths. "I was impressed with our speed in our initial practice timings," she said.
Defense at the corner outfield positions, and a possible dearth of power hitting are early areas of concerns for Dicke.
The conference is usually balanced and very tough in softball. Spencerville (7-1 NWC) is the defending NWC champion, but league Player of the Year Kara May graduated to Ohio Northern. Perennial state power Crestview and Paulding tied for second at 6-2.
Bluffton, Crestview and Paulding look to be the league favorites heading into the spring.
"We would still like to set our sights on finishing high in the NWC," said Dicke. "We lost a lot from last year but our sophomore class is very talented, and our juniors and seniors have a lot of experience."
Veteran mentor Dicke served as the head coach at Div. I University of Dayton from 1987-91, and has done a lot of coaching with the Lady Buckeye fast-pitch summer program since the early 2000s.
Dicke's daughter Lauren, who played at Defiance College, is the new assistant/pitching coach.
Ada went 10-5 on the road, 5-3 at home and 2-1 in neutral site games last spring. In 2019, the Bulldogs have 17 home games scheduled on their 27-game slate.
This year's schedule - weather permitting, of course - is slated to begin March 23 with a twinbill at Perry. The home opener March 25 is against county rival Hardin Northern.
The NWC lidlifter is April 4 at Bluffton. The league home opener is slated for April 8 vs. backyard rival Allen East, which went 14-9 (2-6 NWC) last year.
