Home softball lidlifter is slated for March 30
By Cort Reynolds
With a year of experience under their belt, the talented sophomore-led Ada High School varsity softball team could be much improved in 2023 under second-year head coach Jeff Bassitt.
The freshmen-laden Bulldogs went 5-14 overall and 2-6 in Northwest Conference play during 2022. They lost some heartbreakers and had several winnable games postponed by bad weather.
"We are looking for improvement, especially defensively," Bassitt noted. "I think being .500 or above is a good, reasonable goal.”
Untimely errors undid the inexperienced Bulldogs last season in several games, a facet of the game that should be improved this season.
The 17-player roster features 11 returning letter winners and nine starters. The Bulldogs only lost two letter winners, both reserves. The team boasts quite a bit of depth and interchangeable, versatile players.
Three experienced senior outfielders, two hard-hitting juniors, six promising returning sophomores and six freshmen comprise the deep and talented roster.
Sophomore standout Jenna Bassitt was the number one Ada pitcher and hitter last year. She earned first team All-NWC honors as a freshman after batting .519 with a lofty .576 on base pct.
The versatile Bassitt led the team in runs (19), stolen bases (15) and wins (five). She also knocked out 27 hits, five doubles and one inside the park homer. A fine leadoff hitter, she is a very good, instinctive baserunner with excellent speed.
Bassitt also plays shortstop when she isn’t pitching.
With her speed, pitching, defense and hitting ability, the five-tool girl might be the best all-around player in Ada softball annals by the time she graduates.
Sophomore Natilyn McClain was the starting catcher last season. She also pitched some and will likely be used at different infield positions as situations dictate.
“Natilyn did a solid job last year behind the plate,” Bassitt noted.
Senior outfielder/infielder Kayla Wince is a returning starter and natural left-handed hitter and thrower who has solid speed. She can also pitch as a rare southpaw hurler. She is capable of swatting line drives and is a competitor.
Athletic senior outfielder Emilee Huffer also returns after playing her first season last spring. Huffer has good speed, throws pretty well and is a good center fielder. She also has some pop from the right side.
“Emilee is looking good in pre-season practice,” said Bassitt.
Junior Katie Sizemore returns after starting most of last year at first base, where she batted a solid .320. She possesses a good batting eye, as evidenced by her .423 on base percentage. She may also play the crucial position of third base.
Sizemore is a feisty scrapper who puts her body on the line, and was named honorable mention All-NWC last spring. “Katie is a good hitter,” said the coach.
Slugging junior designated player Daicy Robinson is also a returning, two-time honorable mention All-NWC selection. She possesses good power and is a good pure hitter.
She batted .378 with a .394 on base pct. last spring, despite missing several games with an ankle injury. Her slugging absence in the middle of the lineup last season contributed to a few of the close Ada defeats.
“We missed Daicy’s bat when she was hurt,” Bassitt said.
Senior returnee Raeya Finn will see significant playing time in the outfield. She also saw some action as a backup catcher. Finn is a good bunter with fine speed. A solid athlete, she also showed a penchant for hitting line drives last season.
Spunky sophomore Belah Price was the starter at third base last spring, handling the critical hot corner position capably as a good fielder. She may be limited a bit in the field this season due to a back injury. Price is also a promising hitter.
Willowy sophomore Aidra Preston was the starting shortstop last season, and displayed a lot of promise with her length and athleticism. She is an excellent bunter who runs well. She also showed potential as a solid line-drive hitter.
With her versatility and height, the versatile Preston will likely also see action at first base.
Karley Wagner is another sophomore starter back in the fold at second base. She handled the keystone fielding duties capably, and is a good hitter with doubles power and speed. Wagner is a quietly intense competitor.
Sophomore Tessa Griffith came on strong late last spring in the outfield. She is a solid outfielder with speed and hitting potential.
Energetic freshman Marley Bulerin should provide a boost to the team wherever she plays. She got a slightly late start to the season after making it to the state meet in wrestling. She is a good hitter and solid catcher who can throw.
“Marley has a lot of potential,” Bassitt offered.
Another freshman, outfielder/utility defender Alainee Buxton, could contribute. Freshmen Morgan Sutherly (2B/U), Abby Johnston (2B/OF), Emma Lambdin (1B/3B) and Madi Rowland (U) round out the deep roster.
“The outfield positions could be up in the air,” said Bassitt. “Kayla, Emilee, Tess and Raeya are all back.”
Many of the girls gained valuable experience playing summer travel ball in 2022.
The team possesses several interchangeable defenders and good athleticism, making for a versatile roster in the field.
“We have a lot more options this year,” said the coach.
Ada defeated Arlington 6-4 in the sectional semifinals last spring, but then lost to Leipsic in the sectional finals.
The still-young Lady Bulldogs hope to improve on their eighth-place finish in the rugged nine-team Northwest Conference race this spring.
Defending champion Lincolnview tied rival Crestview for the 2022 NWC crown at 7-1. Leipsic and surprising Bluffton tied for third at 5-3. Columbus Grove was fifth at 4-4, followed by Delphos Jefferson and Allen East in a knot for sixth (3-5).
Ada was 2-6, finishing ahead of 0-8 Spencerville.
Allen East features a tremendous battery in all-league pitcher Nikki Thaxton and standout junior catcher Savana Brooks, who missed much of last season after an ankle injury.
Costly errors and bad timing burned the Bulldog girls last spring.
Ada was one strike from beating rival Bluffton before a two-run homer forced extra innings, where the demoralized Bulldogs lost. The purple and gold also lost a heartbreaker at home to Waynesfield after leading 6-0 early.
Ada played one of its best games in a 2-1 squeaker loss at rival AE in the season finale.
Bassitt noted that Lincolnview, Crestview, Bluffton and and AE all return their pitching and thus should be the top NWC teams to shoot at. Ada plays three of those four teams at home this spring.
"I am hoping that with a year of experience - if we can cut down on half of our errors - we should be in every game," said Bassitt. “We want to get our top nine hitters in the lineup every game.”
Ada purchased a new pitching machine to help improve the team’s hitting, a key acquisition. The machine can also shoot fly balls high into the air for defensive practice.
The Bulldogs are also able to practice on the synthetic turf surface at the football stadium when the diamond field is too wet.
Ada is scheduled to open its season Monday, March 27 at county rival Hardin Northern.
The home lidlifter is slated for March 30 vs. local non-league foe Cory-Rawson. The Bulldogs visit local rival USV in a twinbill April 1.
The tough NWC opener is at home vs. defending league co-champion Lincolnview April 6. Backyard rival AE comes to War Memorial Park April 17.
Rob Overs and ex-ONU standout Ann Bassitt return as assistant coaches, along with staff newcomer Noah Stamper.
A good start is imperative for the youthful Bulldog girls to help erase the bad taste in their mouths from the close defeats of 2022. Winning early could rebuild their confidence and springboard Ada into a good season.
If the young players and pitching continue to develop, Ada could be a darkhorse in 2023, and especially good over the coming seasons.
PHOTO CAPTION
The Ada varsity softball team, from left, front: Katie Sizemore, Emilee Huffer, Kayla Wince, Raeya Finn, Natilyn McClain.
Row 2: Alainee Buxton, Jenna Bassitt, Karley Wagner, Emma Lambdin, Tess Griffith.
Row 3: Abby Johnston, Marley Bulerin, Belah Price, Morgan Sutherly.
Back: head coach Jeff Bassitt, assistant coach Noah Stamper, Madi Rowland, Daicy Robinson, Aidra Preston, assistant coach Rob Overs, assistant coach Ann Bassitt.
PHOTO CAPTION
Ada returning softball letter winners, from left, front row: Katie Sizemore, Emilee Huffer, Kayla Wince, Raeya Finn, Natilyn McClain.
Back: Jenna Bassitt, Daicy Robinson, Karley Wagner, Belah Price, Aidra Preston, Tess Griffth.
