By Cort Reynolds

BLOOMDALE – The visiting Ada High School softball team lost a tight 2-1 pitcher’s duel to Blanchard Valley Conference rival Elmwood on Monday, April 14.

Elmwood tied the game with a run in the fourth, then scored the eventual winning run in the fifth. The Bulldog girls had chances to score but couldn’t get the timely hit.

Ada senior pitcher Jenna Bassitt went all six innings. She struck out five and allowed six hits with no walks. She permitted one earned run.

“We had our chances, it was two good teams going at it,” said fourth-year Bulldog head coach Jeff Bassitt. “We didn’t get the hits when we needed them.”

Ada had its five-game win streak snapped, falling to 8-2 overall and 2-2 in the BVC with the tough loss. Elmwood improved to 5-5 and 2-0 in BVC play after the win.

The Bulldog girls were out-hit by the Royals, 6-4. The hosts committed no errors, while the Bulldog defense made one miscue.   

The Bulldogs had the bases loaded with one out in the first frame, but were limited to one run.

Bassitt walked and one out later, Natilyn McClain singled. Tess Griffith singled to put three runners on.

Wagner grounded out to second base to drive in Bassitt. Royal pitcher Allyie Reynolds then got out of the jam with another groundout.

Reynolds struck out the Ada side in the second.

In the third Bassitt beat out a bunt single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emily Shanks, but she was stranded on second.

Wagner was hit in the ankle by a pitch leading off the fourth, and she had to be removed.

Elmwood shortstop Libbie Tyson smashed a lead-off home run in the bottom of the fourth to tie it, 1-1. 

Bassitt singled with one out in the Ada fifth, but was left there.

Elmwood scored the tie-breaking in the fifth inning on two singles and a sacrifice fly to center field that plated the runner all the way from second base.

In the top of the sixth, Bulldog Sophie Fleming was hit by a pitch but was thrown out trying to steal second.

Bassitt retired Elmwood in order in the sixth.

In the seventh, Summer Wibley got hit by a pitch with two out to keep Ada alive. Gabbie Fleming pinch ran, but the last Bulldog batter was called out looking on a questionable third strike to end the game.  

Bassitt singled twice, walked and scored the only Ada run. McClain and Griffith singled for the other Bulldog hits. Wagner was hit by a pitch.

Royal standout Tyson batted 3-3 with a solo homer. She also stroked two singles and stole a base.

The Bulldogs play just their second home game Wednesday, April 16 against league foe Arlington (1-5, 1-1 BVC). The Red Devils lost 20-6 to league-leading Van Buren Monday.

Ada hosts Columbus Grove (2-6) Thursday, and entertains county foe Ridgemont (2-4) Friday. Defending Northwest Conference champion Lincolnview (8-1) comes to town Saturday for a noon showdown between last season’s top two NWC squads. 

“We just have to play them one at a time,” said Bassitt.

WP-Reynolds LP-Bassitt (8-2)  

HR-L. Tyson (E )