By Cort Reynolds
The Ada High School baseball team got on top early and defeated visiting Arlington 5-3 in a non-league game Tuesday evening, May 9.
The Bulldogs improved to 7-13 with their third consecutive win over a BVC foe in the past five days.
Arlington fell to 8-11 with the loss.
“The kids are really understanding their roles and are playing quality baseball right now,” said Bulldog first-year head coach Toby Smith.
“I am not sure when the last time was that we won three in a row, but I know the kids are enjoying the grind of baseball right now.”
Ada broke on top with three runs in the home second inning, and never trailed.
Senior Spencer Wall reached on an error and stole second to start the rally. Mason Wibley was hit by a pitch.
After Wall scored, Max Puerto delivered a two-run single to provide a 3-0 lead.
Ada threatened in the third with two stolen bases after two Red Devil errors. But the Bulldogs were unable to add to their lead.
A double by Jared Griggs led off the Devils’ fourth frame. Wesley Hartman singled. After Wall struck out the next two batters, Quinn Huffman stroked a two-run single to cut the Ada lead to 3-2.
In the home fifth, the Bulldogs added to their lead. Jacob Sutherly singled and Levi Green drew a walk. Roman Snyder then launched a two-run double to center field to stretch the margin to 5-2.
Wall struck out two Devils in the sixth to strand a runner at third.
In the top of the seventh, Arlington tried to mount a comeback. Leadoff singles by Luke Metzger and Jaxson Collins were followed by a Justin Rausch single.
Brady Griggs hit an RBI single to cut the Bulldog lead to 5-3. Wall then earned a key strikeout.
Then with two runners on, Ada recorded the final out in a rundown at third base to end the threat and the game.
Snyder and Puerto each contributed two-run hits to pace Ada. Wall, Wibley and Sousley scored a run apiece. Sutherly singled and scored a run, while Green added a run.
Wall stole two bases to aid his own cause. The senior right-hander scattered 11 hits over seven innings to earn the pitching win. He allowed three earned runs and struck out 11 Devils with just one walk.
Huffman gave up only three hits and two earned runs over six frames in a hard-luck loss. He struck out eight and walked two.
Griggs hit a double and two singles, and scored a run. Rausch singled twice, and Huffman added a two-run single.
Both teams left four left runners on base and each stole four bases. Ada committed no errors, while Arlington committed three errors.
ARL 000 200 1 – 3 11 3
ADA 030 020 x -- 5 3 0
LOB--ARLINGTON 4, ADA 4.
ERR--Ryan Essinger, Jared Griggs, Brady Griggs.
2B--Jared Griggs, Roman Snyder.
HBP—Mason Wibley.
SB--Justin Rausch, Jared Griggs, Martin Jones, Jaxson Collins, Spencer Wall (2), Jacob Sutherly, Roman Snyder.
ARLINGTON IP H R ER BB SO HR
Quinn Huffman 6.0 3 5 2 2 8 0
ADA
Spencer Wall 7.0 11 3 3 1 11 0
PB--Wesley Hartman (2).
BB--Jaxson Collins, Levi Green, Jacob Sutherly.
