By Cort Reynolds

ADA __ The Ada High School baseball team decisively beat Blanchard Valley Conference foe Arlington 7-2 on a sunny but cool Wednesday evening, April 16.

The Bulldogs scored five runs in a big fifth inning to build on their 2-0 lead, then held off a minor rally to win by five. 

The Red Devils tallied single runs in each of the last two innings, but it was far too little, too late.

“It was a good team win,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “We need to clean up our mental mistakes, and if we can do that we will see more results like this one tonight.”

Ada improved to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in the BVC after the win in just their second home game of the season. Arlington dropped to 1-7 overall and 1-1 in BVC play after the loss.

Bulldog starting pitcher Brody Rister hurled six strong innings to earn the win. He struck out six and walked none. He permitted five hits and two earned runs.

Wes Mowery relieved in the seventh with runners on and retired the first two Devils on a fly ball to right field and a force-out grounder from shortstop to second base.

After allowing a run-scoring single to center field, Mowery induced foul a pop-out to Rister just wide of first base to clinch the victory.

Ada sophomore catcher Andrew Allen slapped two hits and drove in two runs while scoring once. He also swiped one base.

Bulldog senior shortstop/leadoff hitter Levi Green hit a double for the game’s lone extra-base hit, stole two bases and scored two runs. He also drove in a run.

Mason Wibley singled in a run and walked once. He made a nice running catch of a fly ball near the right field foul line to record the first big out of the seventh with Arlington threatening.

Senior center fielder Kaine Fisher singled, scored twice and swiped two bags. Freshman Thad Smith stroked two singles and scored a run.

Senior Ethan Lawrence stole two bases and scored a run. Sophomroe third sacker Blake Zoladz walked twice and stole a base.

The Red Devils rapped out six singles, while Ada collected seven hits. The Bulldog committed four errors while the visitors made three miscues.  

The Devils left nine runners on base, while Ada stranded four.  

The Bulldogs host county rival Ridgemont (2-4) Friday.

WP-Rister LP-Collins 

2B-Green (A)