By Cort Reynolds
McCOMB - Host McComb scored five runs in the sixth inning to post a 5-4 comeback win over the Ada softball team Tuesday evening.
The purple and gold dropped to 2-2 this season with the tough loss.
Ada led 4-0 through five innings. But in the home sixth McComb strung a few hits together, including a home run, and also capitalized on back-to-back Bulldog errors to seize a 5-4 lead.
The Panthers then held Ada scoreless in the seventh inning to preserve the victory.
The Lady Bulldogs scored three runs in the second inning and added a single run in the fourth to lead 4-0. But then the Panthers rallied with the big sixth frame in their last at bat to pull off the comeback.
Bulldog Leona Dalton gave up seven hits while striking out seven with one walk in six innings of pitching. She allowed three earned runs.
Dalton also slugged a double, singled, scored a run and drove in another run to pace the offense.
Raina England singled and drove in one run. Alexis Ennis and Aubrey Madison each had a hit, and Tori Green scored a run.
Kiersten Cortez singled and scored a run while Lexi Waugh walked and scored once.
Sidney Gossard and Brenna George each stole a base. Green and Gossard also drew a walk apiece.
Ada left seven runners on base compared to four by the Panthers.
Panther Shaye Hemminger slugged a two-run homer in the decisive McComb sixth. Winning pitcher Jaden Wittenmyer scattered six Ada hits and gave up just one earned run while striking out eight.
Shelby Steinbrook added two hits and a run.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 030 100 0 4 6 4
McC 000 005 x 5 7 3
WP-Wittenmyer LP-Dalton (2-2)
2B-Dalton (A)
HR-Hemminger (M)
Ada (0-2 road) begins Northwest Conference play Thursday at backyard rival Bluffton (3-1).
