By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - The visiting Ada softball team lost an 11-3 decision at Bluffton in the Northwest Conference opener on a chilly Thursday evening.
The purple and gold dropped to 2-3 and 0-1 in the NWC with the defeat. Bluffton improved to 4-1 and 1-0 in league play with the victory.
The Pirates scored in all six frames they batted. They tallied two times in the first and three more in the second to take a 5-2 lead. Two runs in each of the third and fourth frames extended the margin to 9-2.
Ada plated two runs in the second inning, and one in the fifth.
Bluffton added single runs in the home half of the fifth and sixth innings to provide the final margin.
Libby Schaadt hurled a complete game five-hitter to earn the win for Bluffton. She allowed no earned runs and struck out seven while walking two.
Schaadt also aided her own cause at the plate with three hits and two runs batted in. Brinkley Garmatter stroked a double and two singles to help pace the 12-hit Pirate attack.
Pirates Riley Busch and Mara Minnig each contributed two hits. Katie Prater added a triple and scored two runs with an RBI. Averey Rumer singled, scored twice, stole one base and drove in a run.
Katie Prater singled, scored two times and knocked in a run. Madison Fleece singled, scored two runs and collected two RBI. Alivia Koenig was hit three times and scored a run. Lauren Swartzwalder added an RBI hit, while Riley Busch amassed a hit and a run.
Raina England pitched all six innings for Ada in her pitching debut. The senior allowed 12 hits and seven earned runs. She struck out one and walked two.
Sidney Gossard knocked out two hits and scored a run to lead the Ada offense. Alexis Ennis, Lexi Waugh and Brenna George each had a hit
The Bulldogs left six runners on base while Bluffton stranded 10. Bluffton committed four errors while Ada made six miscues.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 020 010 0 3 5 5
Blf 232 211 x 11 12 4
WP-Schaadt LP-England (0-1)
2B-B. Garmatter (B)
3B-Prater (B)
Ada (2-0 home) is slated to host Hardin County foe Ridgemont Friday, April 5 in a non-league game. Arlington is also scheduled to play at Ada Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m.
Bluffton plays host to Pandora-Gilboa Friday.
