Tied for 1st in NWC with 15-2 record
By Cort Reynolds
CONVOY – The visiting Ada High School softball team defeated Crestview 12-4 in the resumption of a suspended Northwest Conference game Saturday, May 4.
It is believed to be the first time Ada has beaten perennial power Crestview in softball. The Knights have won 21 NWC titles, including last year when they edged the Bulldogs by a single game.
With the historic win, the Ada improved to 15-2 overall and stayed in a tie with Lincolnview atop the NWC at 5-0. Ada is riding a 10-game win streak.
Defending champion Crestview fell to 7-12 overall and 5-2 in the NWC after the loss.
“It was a big win, and it is very nice to beat Crestview,” said third-year Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. “I thought we had the bats going well early on, before the game was suspended (Monday).”
Junior pitcher Jenna Bassitt improved to 14-2 by hurling Ada to the win. She struck out 13 Knights in seven innings. She scattered eight hits and gave up two earned runs.
Ada led 9-2 in the top of the fourth when the game was halted this past Monday by rain.
Ada plated six runs in the second frame to take control early. Karley Wagner singled, Reese Jordan was hit by a pitch, and then Katie Sizemore slugged a three-homer over the fence in center field.
Bassitt later walked, Aidra Preston doubled to left and Natilyn McClain unloaded another three-run homer to left field to provide a 6-0 lead.
In the third Jordan walked and after a fielder’s choice, Daicy Robinson was hit by a pitch. Alainee Buxton reached on a shortstop error that scored Sizemore to build the lead to 7-0.
Crestview scored two runs in the bottom of the third. Ada answered with two runs in the fourth before the game was stopped.
Preston singled and McClain had an infield hit. Wagner walked to load the bases. Preston scored on a catching error, and McClain came home on another error by the third baseman.
Ada stretched its lead to 10 with three runs in the top of the fifth on Saturday. Buxton singled, followed by a Bassitt single. Preston walked to load the bases.
Tess Griffith singled to center field to drive in two runs. Wagner laid down a sacrifice bunt to plate Preston for a 12-2 advantage.
The Knights then responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to close the scoring.
Bassitt retired Crestview easily in the sixth behind two strikeouts. In the seventh she struck out two batters again. The game ended on a pop-out to Buxton in right field.
“Jenna pitched well,” said Bassitt.
Ada did not strike out once, and drew five walks. The Bulldogs out-hit the Knights, 11-8.
McClain hit a home run, two singles and batted in three runs to pace the offense for a second straight game.
“Natilyn had another big game,” said Bassitt.
Preston hit a double and a single. Griffith drove in two runs with two singles. Bassitt had one hit, a walk and two stolen bases.
Sizemore collected her three RBI on the home run. Buxton added a single.
Ada plays host to Leipsic (10-7, 3-2 NWC) Tuesday in a key league game. The Bulldogs then entertain non-league foe Botkins (10-7) Wednesday.
Ada will host a second round sectional tournament game vs. the St. Henry/Waynesfield-Goshen winner Thursday, May 9.
Ada has makeup league games upcoming at Columbus Grove (9-7, 3-3 NWC) May 11, followed by a potential league title showdown at Lincolnview (18-3) May 14.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 061 230 0 12 11 4
Cvw 002 020 0 4 8 4
WP-Bassitt (14-2) LP-Sawmiller
2B-Preston (A), Thornell (C)
HR-Sizemore (A), McClain (A)
