By Cort Reynolds
The talented and deep Ada High School softball team will shoot for a league title as first-year members of the Blanchard Valley Conference in 2025.
The school’s second district title and beyond is also within the team’s grasp due to an experienced and skilled senior group, as well as some promising young players.
The Bulldogs finished second in the Northwest Conference each of the last two seasons, and would have been co-favorites for the elusive league crown with defending NWC champion Lincolnview this spring.
PHOTO L-R, front: Natilyn McClain, Tessa Griffith, Aidra Preston, Karley Wagner, Jenna Bassitt. Row 2: Sophie Fleming, Emily Shanks, Summer Wibley, Emma Lambdin, Alainee Buxton. Row 3: Abbey Johnston, Taliana Parker, Kylie Fenner, Gabbie Fleming, Reese Jordan. Back: assistant coach Ann Bassitt, head coach Jeff Bassitt, Dailah Preston, assistant coach Rob Overs, assistant coach Noah Stamper.
Ada returns eight starters from last spring’s 18-4 squad that went 7-1 in the NWC.
Fourth-year head coach Jeff Bassitt’s talented squad is led by five fine four-year senior starters. The group comprises one of the best classes in program history, along with the 2018 Bulldog seniors who won a district title.
Ace senior hurler Jenna Bassitt, a three-time first team All-NWC performer, tops the returnees. The leadoff hitter has tremendous speed and instinctive baserunning ability.
In 2024 she hit .532, smacked three home runs, stole 27 bases and scored 32 runs. She posted a 17-4 pitching record and struck out 196 batters over 139 innings pitched, with an ERA of just over one run per game. Her 17 wins also set a single-season Ada record.
A tough competitor, she was named second team all-state last spring and repeated as a first team all-district selection.
Good-hitting senior shortstop Karley Wagner also was named first team All-NWC last season. She hit .415 with 20 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and a .516 on base pct. She slugged .623 and hit one homer.
Dependable catcher Natilyn McClain returns for her fourth season starting behind the plate. She is a good hitter, thrower and receiver. She was voted second team All-NWC and honorable mention all-district last season.
McClain slugged a team-high five home runs, including a grand slam in a sectional final win over St. Henry.
The spunky backstop batted .414 with 20 RBI, 25 runs and a .442 on base pct. She slugged .438 and stole nine bases.
Senior center fielder Tessa Griffith also returns after enjoying a fine 2024 campaign at the plate and defensively. She was rewarded with second team All-NWC honors.
Griffith hit .345 with 17 runs batted in and 18 runs. She stole 11 bases with a .491 OBP and an identical slugging pct. of .491.
Steady senior first baseman Aidra Preston made honorable mention all-league last year, but was as hot as any Bulldog coming down the stretch as a hitter. She is a good bunter with speed and a solid glove.
Preston batted .328 with 14 RBI and six steals. She had a .406 on-base pct. and a .557 slugging pct.
Heady sophomore second sacker Reese Jordan had a fine freshman season at the plate and in the field. She has very good speed and base-stealing ability, and may switch-hit this spring to slap-hit from that side.
Heady junior Alainee Buxton had a fine first season as a starter at the plate and in right field. Sophomore Dailah Preston showed a good glove in left field and is improved as a hitter.
Talented freshman infielder Emily Shanks is likely to start at third base, replacing graduated Katie Sizemore. The speedster has a good glove and hitting ability. Slugging freshman IF/OF Summer Wibley is a strong hitter and may fill in for graduated DP Daicy Robinson.
Sophomore twins Sophie and Gabbie Fleming lend quality depth, as does solid-hitting first baseman Emma Lambdin. Sophie Fleming is a speedy utility weapon and pinch runner, while Gabbie is the backup catcher.
“This is the deepest team we have had,” said coach Bassitt. “We have a lot of team speed. We have hitters. If we take care of the small things, the wins will take care of themselves.
“We have added some slappers from the left side this year,” he noted. “The BVC looks strong with defending champion Elmwood, while Liberty-Benton, Van Buren and Riverdale are also contenders.
“For us to have a chance to win it everyone just has to be a little better than they were last year,” he added.
The season opener is March 24 at Lima Senior, with the first home game set for March 29 vs. LCC. The BVC lidlifter is set for April 2 at home vs. Liberty-Benton.
Last spring, Ada set the program record for wins in a season with 18 and put together a 12-game win streak.
The talented 2025 senior class suffered through a rough freshman learning year, but that group has led the Bulldog girls to author a sparkling 34-11 combined record over the past two seasons. Ace hurler Bassitt won 31 of those games on the rubber.
Ada ultimately lost a 3-2 pitcher’s duel to New Bremen in the district semifinals last year but has the talent to go much further this season. With a little luck, they could possibly hang up the first softball banner in program history.
2024 record: 18-4, 7-1 NWC (2nd)
Starters back/lost: 8/2
P/OF-Jenna Bassitt, C-Natilyn McClain, 1B-Aidra Preston, SS-Karley Wagner, CF-Tessa Griffith, RF-Alainee Buxton, LF-Dailah Preston, 2B-Reese Jordan.
Letter winners back/lost: 10/3.
Strengths: team speed, depth, experience, Bassitt, 5-player senior class of 4-year starters, talented freshmen.
Goals: to contend for BVC title and go further in tournaments.
Top newcomers: Fr. IF Emily Shanks, Fr. IF-OF Summer Wibley.
PHOTO The Ada varsity returning softball letter winners, L-R, front row: Natilyn
McClain, Tessa Griffith, Aidra Preston, Karley Wagner, Jenna Bassitt. Back: Sophie Fleming, Emma Lambdin, Dailah Preston, Alainee Buxton, Gabbie Fleming, Reese Jordan.
