Note: The baseball story is below the softball story.

By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Visiting Ada defeated Bluffton 5-1 in a Northwest Conference softball contest Monday evening.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the NWC with the victory. Bluffton fell to 2-7 and 1-1 in league play after the defeat.

Ada senior Leona Dalton struck out 13 Lady Pirates to earn her fifth pitching victory this season.    

Dalton gave up just five hits and one run to earn her third straight win. 

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Ada plated four runs to seize command of the contest. 

Bluffton plated its only run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bulldogs answered with a tally in the seventh to restore their four-run lead.

Senior outfielder Tori Green smacked three hits to pace the seven-hit Ada offense. Meanwhile, freshman Daicy Robinson contributed a double, single and one run batted in.

Dalton singled in one run to aid her own cause, while freshman Kayla Wince added an RBI double. Senior catcher Alexis Waugh collected a single.

Pirate Riley Busch doubled in the lone Bluffton run in the sixth. Dylan Worcester, losing pitcher Grace Myers, Rebekah Hoff and Sophie Bricker added a single apiece for Bluffton.

The Ada defense played error-less softball to help post the win.

    123    456    7    R    H    E    
Ada    000    400    1    5    7    0    
Blu    000    001    0    1    5    3
WP-Dalton (5-2)    LP-Myers (2-5)        
2B-Busch (B), Robinson (A), Wince (A)

The Bulldogs play at tough non-league local foe Riverdale (7-1)Tuesday, April 13. The Lady Falcons beat McComb 9-3 Monday evening

Ada resumes conference play at home vs. backyard rival Allen East (7-4, 1-0 NWC) Thursday, April 15 at 5 p.m. AE beat Delphos Jefferson 13-3 Monday in a league tilt.

Bluffton plays at perennial NWC power Crestview (10-2, 2-0 NWC) Thursday, April 15.

Ada boys stifle Pirates
BLUFFTON - The visiting Ada baseball team defeated winless Bluffton 5-1 Monday evening in Northwest Conference play.

The Bulldogs improved their record to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the NWC with the win. Bluffton dropped to 0-8 (0-2 NWC) with the defeat. 

Kadin Phipps contributed a double and two singles with one RBI to help pace Ada. Bulldog Cameron Bober legged out a triple and singled. Senior Jacob Poling slapped two singles.

Senior Jacob Morgan singled, stole two bases and scored a run.

Senior Trent Ennis singled and drove in two runs. Sophomores Roman Snyder and Spencer Wall each added a hit. Zach Neiswander and Snyder stole two bases apiece.

Junior hurler Tyler Jameson earned the victory with a complete game effort. Ada pitching allowed no earned runs with eight walks and six strikeouts.

Nic Essinger, Tyson Shutler, Braeden Jordan, Jacob Granger and Garret Bogart each collected singles for Bluffton. Bogart also stole two bases while Shutler swiped one bag.

Pirate Daniel Friedritz pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs and nine hits. He struck out six and walked two.

Bluffton left a dozen runners on base while Ada stranded seven.

    123    456    7    R    H    E    
Ada    000    400    1    5    9    2    
Blu    001    000    0    1    4    2
WP-Jameson        LP-D. Friedritz
2B-Phipps (A)
3B-Bober (A)

Ada plays at county foe Riverdale Tuesday, April 13. The Falcons are 5-3 after beating BVC rival McComb 3-1 Monday night. 

The Bulldogs host backyard rival Allen East (7-3, 1-0 NWC) Thursday evening.

AE stomped Delphos Jefferson 10-1 Monday evening in league baseball action.

Bluffton plays at struggling NWC foe Crestview (4-3, 0-2 NWC) Thursday, April 15. The Knights were shut out 2-0 by Columbus Grove Monday.