By Cort Reynolds
The Ada varsity softball team lost 8-1 at league-leading Crestview in a Northwest Conference matchup in Convory on Thursday evening, April 28.
The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 3-11 and 1-5 in the NWC after the defeat. The Knight girls improved to 18-1 overall and 7-0 in the NWC with the win.
With a win over defending league champion Lincolnview (4-1 NWC) next week, the Knights would clinch the NWC outright title.
Ada took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when freshman Karley Wagner singled and scored.
Crestview took the lead for good with a three-run third inning. Alexis Parrish and Luger reached base leading off, and were driven home by a Megan Mosier single.
Mosier then scored on a two-out triple off the bat of Katelyn Castle.
Ada threatened in the fourth, but stranded two runners. The Lady Knights plated two more runs in the home fourth on an error, a hit and a walk.
In the Crestview fifth, Micaela Lugabihl led off by reaching base and scored on a fielder's choise for a 6-1 lead.
In the Knight sixth, Olivia Heckler tripled and Castle followed by smacking a two-run homer that extended the margin to 8-1.
Heckler retired the last six Ada hitters and 10 of the last 11 batters to post the win.
"We took the lead early but they scored in the third," said Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. "We played a good game, but need to cut down on the errors."
Castle drove in five runs with a homer and a triple. Rylee Miller, Sawmiller and Parrish each collected two hits.
Heckler aided her own cause with a triple, single and a run. She struck out 10 Bulldogs.
Ada freshman Belah Price hit two singles and drove in one run. Katie Sizemore hit a double, and Daicy Robinson singled twice.
Bulldog freshman Jenna Bassitt struck out eight Knights.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 010 000 0 1 5 5
Cvw 003 212 x 8 12 0
WP-Heckler LP-Bassitt
2B-Sizemore (A)
3B-Castle (C), Heckler (C)
HR-Castle (C)
Ada (1-4 NWC) hosts tough new league member Leipsic (10-4, 3-2 NWC) Monday, May 2 in a conference matchup at the park.
