By Cort Reynolds

KALIDA – The visiting Ada High School softball team lambasted non-league foe Kalida 17-0 Saturday, April 12.

Sophomores Dailah Preston and Sophie Fleming both knocked their first career home runs over the fence in the second inning.

Ada senior ace Jenna Bassitt pitched five innings to garner her eighth win. She struck out seven and allowed three hits in the five-inning shutout.

The Bulldogs scored eight big runs in a fourth inning outburst to put the game well out of reach.

“We were roping the ball,” said fourth-year Bulldog head coach Jeff Bassitt. “It is nice to get another win.”

Ada improved to 8-1 overall with their fifth consecutive win. Kalida fell to 2-7 after the loss.

The Bulldog girls out-hit the Wildcats, 17-3. The hosts committed six errors, while the solid Bulldog defense made zero miscues.   

Ada plated one run in the first inning, then tallied three in the second and third frames. They put the game away with an eight-run fourth.

Bassitt led the game off with a double to left field. Emily Shanks plated her with a sacrifice bunt to make it 1-0.

Bassitt struck out the side in the home first.

In the top of the second, Reese Jordan drilled a one-out single. Dailah Preston then deposited a two-run homer over the left field fence. With two outs, second baseman Sophie Fleming launched a solo shot over the center field wall to make it 4-0.

In the third, Ada scored three more runs. Emily Shanks legged out a triple and was singled home by Natilyn McClain. Tess Griffith grounded a single to left. She scored on a dropped third strike.

In the fourth, Alainee Buxton and Fleming singled to lead off the big inning. A Bassitt triple to center field made it 9-0. Shanks followed with another triple to center to provide a 10-0 lead.

McClain doubled to right and Griffith singled to center. Aidra Preston blooped a single over shortstop. An error and a Fleming single were followed by a Bassitt walk. 

When the dust settled, Ada led 15-0. In the home fourth, Griffith threw a runner out at third base to complete a double play.

In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs pushed two more runs across. Gabbie Fleming walked and Griffith slapped a single. Emma Lambdin reached on a fielder’s choice. 

Abbey Johnston singled home Griffith, and Lambdin came home on a wild pitch. Bassitt then whiffed two in the bottom of the fifth to end the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

“It was nice to see the girls get their bats going,” Bassitt noted.

Bassitt slugged two extra base hits, drew a walk, and stole a base. Shanks hit two triples. McClain hit a double and single, while Griffith slapped three singles. 

Sophomore Sophie Fleming hit 3-3 with a solo homer and two singles.

Sophomore Dailah Preston smashed a two-run homer. Senior Aidra Preston, junior Buxton and sophomore Jordan each hit a single. Johnston also singled in two times at bat.

Ada (2-1 BVC) is scheduled to play at tough league foe Elmwood (5-4, 1-0 BVC) Monday, April 14. The Royals advanced to the Ayersville Great 8 Tournament championship game against the hosts Saturday with two wins.

The Bulldogs play just their second home game Wednesday, April 16 against Arlington (1-4, 1-0 BVC). Cory-Rawson swept a pair from the Red Devils Saturday, 10-7 and 6-1.

“We have two big conference games next week,” said Bassitt.

PLAYER STATS

WP-Bassitt (8-1) LP-Meyers

2B-Bassitt (A), Foppe (K), Meyers (K)

3B-Bassitt (A), Shanks 2 (A)

HR-D. Preston (A), S. Fleming (A)