PHOTO by Cort Reynolds / The Ada varsity softball team, from left, Row 1: Jenna Bassitt, Karley Wagner, Daicy Robinson, Katie Sizemore, Tess Griffith, Aidra Preston, Natilyn McClain. Row 2: Gabbie Fleming, Abbey Johnston, Emma Lambdin, Madi Rowland, Alainee Buxton, Sophie Fleming. Row 3: Kiera Cash, Kylie Fenner, Reese Jordan, Taliana Parker, Dailah Preston. Back: assistant coach Noah Stamper, head coach Jeff Bassitt, assistant coach Ann Bassitt.
By Cort Reynolds
The talented Ada High School softball team showed great improvement on the field and in the win-loss column in 2023, led by a sophomore-laden lineup.
Last spring the Bulldogs started off 14-1 before suffering a late-season slump, but they still posted the second-best single-season win total in team annals at 16-7.
The young Bulldog girls authored the best Northwest Conference showing in program history, finishing in sole possession of second place with an impressive 7-1 record.
Their lone league loss came in a showdown battle at home vs. a much more experienced Crestview squad. The older Knights broke open their scoreless duel in the late innings to prevail, and took home their 21st NWC championship with an 8-0 mark.
For Ada, there will be no sneaking up on opponents this spring. With most of their starting lineup intact, the now-seasoned Bulldogs will be the hunted instead of the hunter in 2024.
The purple and gold lost at home to powerful St. Henry in the sectional finals to end their storybook 2023 season. With another year of experience under their collective belt, Ada looks to be even better this season.
This spring’s Bulldog squad returns seven letter winners and seven starters, including six past All-NWC performers. The returnees will combine with some talented newcomers to form a dangerous outfit under third-year head coach Jeff Bassitt.
Injured 2023 letter winners Belah Price and Marley Bulerin are not playing this spring, and OF/2B Kayla Wince was the lone senior starter lost to graduation.
“We are hoping to compete for the conference (title),” said coach Bassitt. “The biggest thing for us is to just stay healthy.”
Multi-talented junior pitcher Jenna Bassitt is back to lead the charge again. A first team All-NWC honoree in each of her first two seasons, she was also voted first team Div. IV all-district last year.
Bassitt posted a 14-5 pitching record with 184 strikeouts in 2023. She also led Ada in batting average (.514), on base pct. (.618), steals (28-32), home runs (2), hits, runs (37), slugging pct. (.757) and also drove in 24 runs.
The speedster is an instinctive baserunner and a fine leadoff hitter with some pop. She spearheads the offense and anchors the defense with her pitching and fielding. Bassitt also occasionally patrols center field and can play middle infield.
The determined junior sets the tone for Ada from the pitching circle and leadoff spot, but her talented and experienced teammates will have to take the next step for the Bulldogs to reach their goals.
Junior middle infielder Karley Wagner earned second team All-NWC notice at shortstop last spring. A very intense player, she batted .414 and rapped out 29 hits in 2023. She also scored 21 runs, drove in 18 runs, hit seven doubles, and smacked two triples plus one homer.
Senior slugger Daicy Robinson returns as one of the team’s top hitters at designated player. She can also play some first base and corner outfield, and made honorable mention all-league in 2021 and 2022.
Senior third baseman Katie Sizemore can play both corner infield positions and has a good batting eye, having led the team in walks last year (13). She batted .322 with a home run, five doubles, and scored 15 runs.
The scrappy Sizemore played third base primarily last season after manning first base in 2022. She is expected to handle the important hot corner duties again. Sizemore has been an honorable mention all-league selection the past two seasons.
Junior catcher Natilyn McClain returns for her third season behind the plate at the all-important backstop position. A solid receiver, the spunky catcher batted .343 and slugged five doubles, plus stole a dozen bases.
McClain drove in 19 runs and scored 18 to earn honorable mention all-conference notice. She also served as the second pitcher the last two seasons, and can play second base.
Junior center fielder Tessa Griffith improved rapidly and also batted .343 to make honorable mention all-league. She solidified the outfield defense and runs well, stealing 11 bases.
Griffith scored 18 runs, slapped five doubles and collected 24 RBI. A solid athlete, she can also play shortstop capably and throws well.
Athletic junior Aidra Preston made a good adjustment to first base after starting at shortstop as a freshman. She has good speed and is a fine bunter with poker-faced determination and a good attitude.
She gives fielders a good, tall target at first base and has solid athleticism.
Sophomore letter winner Alainee Buxton can hit and is likely to start in right field and play some left field. Fellow sophs Emma Lambdin and Madi Rowland also return from last year’s successful squad.
Dailah Preston and Reese Jordan lead a promising seven-player freshman class. Jordan is expected to play second base and do some pitching. Preston will be a corner outfielder and serve as a utility infielder.
Backup catcher Gabbie Fleming and frosh twin Sophie Fleming “have a lot of potential,” said Bassitt. “Sophie, Reese and Alainee are in competition for at least three of the starting positions still up in the air.”
Sophomore Abbey Johnston and freshmen Kiera Cash, Taliana Parker and Kylie Fenner round out the 18-player roster. Cash is a promising hitter.
“We have worked a lot on hitting in the off-season,” said Bassitt. “I am hoping hitting and speed will be our strengths.”
As for the NWC race, defending champion Crestview is under a new coach. Historically, the Knights have won eight more league crowns than the rest of the league combined, but could be in a for a slight rebuild, by their standards.
Bassitt tabbed last year’s third-place NWC finisher as the pre-season league favorite. “I think Lincolnview will be the team to beat,” said Bassitt.
“We will have to be better than last year for us to win the NWC,” Bassitt warned. “It is a different ballgame this year, we are not sneaking up on anyone. It will be critical for us to score first in games.
“If we do the little things well, the fundamentals, the wins will take care of themselves,” he noted.
Ada edged Lincolnview (6-2) by a game to capture second place in the league last year, while Allen East ended up fourth in the NWC at 5-3. The Mustangs lost All-NWC pitcher Nikki Thaxton to graduation, but return the league Player of the Year in slugging senior catcher Savana Brooks.
Bluffton ended up 4-4 in 2023. Ada hosts the rival Pirates April 15. Among the other home opponents for the Bulldogs in their last NWC season are Leipsic and Delphos Jefferson.
Ada is slated to start its season March 23 at LCC, weather permitting. The home opener is set for March 25 vs. county rival Hardin Northern. HN has a new head coach in USV alum Rob Overs, who served as a key Bulldog assistant for the past two seasons.
The NWC lidlifter is April 4 at home vs. Spencerville. Ada visits backyard rival AE April 18, and travels to traditional power Crestview April 29.
A potential showdown for the conference crown is scheduled for the regular season finale May 9 at Lincolnview. Most of the tougher Ada league games are on the road, making their quest for the NWC title a bit tougher.
The Bulldog girls are still chasing that elusive first NWC softball title in their last season as a league member. But if they stay healthy and continue to improve, Ada could break through that barrier in 2024.
If not, perhaps next spring when the talented junior class are all seniors in the Blanchard Valley Conference.
PHOTO below) Ada returning softball letter winners, from left, front row: Jenna
Bassitt, Daicy Robinson, Katie Sizemore, Tess Griffth.
Back: Alainee Buxton, Karley Wagner, Aidra Preston, Natilyn McClain.
