By Cort Reynolds
ARCADIA - Improbably, host Arcadia scored three two-out runs on back-to-back home runs in its final at bat to edge the Ada softball team 7-6 in a seesaw battle Tuesday evening.
The purple and gold dropped to 1-1 this season with the difficult defeat, while the Lady Redskins improved to 1-1 with the win.
Ada led 1-0 early but trailed 4-3 heading to the final inning. The Lady Bulldogs plated three runs in the top of the seventh to regain a 6-4 lead.
But Redskin Breana Reinhart hammered a two-run home run with two out to it up, 6-6.
Up next, Lanei Rodriguez cranked a solo walkoff home run to win it for Arcadia in dramatic fashion, 7-6.
The first six batters in the Ada order each had a hit. Alexis Ennis scored two runs and stole two bases, while Raina England doubled in two runs.
Sidney Gossard also singled, scored once and drove in one run. Brenna George contributed a hit, scored a run, stole two bases and had an RBI.
Aubrey Madison and Green each scored once. Lexi Waugh and Kiersten Cortez also each singled.
Arcadia narrowly out-hit Ada, 7-6. Bulldog Leona Dalton struck out eight and walked just one in 6 2/3 innings of pitching. She scattered seven hits and gave up three earned runs. Dalton threw 85 pitches, 64 for strikes or in play.
Shortstop Ivy Noel added two hits and one RBI for the Redskins. Tori Golden struck out 10 Bulldogs over the first six innings. Rodriguez whiffed two in the final frame to get the victory in relief.
Ada left five runners on base compared to three by the Redskins.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 010 002 3 6 6 5
Arc 001 012 3 7 7 3
WP-La. Rodriguez LP-Dalton (1-1)
2B-England (A)
HR-La. Rodriguez (Ar), Reinhardt (Ar)
Ada (1-0 home) tries to bounce back when it hosts host non-league foe Cory-Rawson Thursday, March 28.
