By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The visiting Ada High School baseball team used two big innings and solid defense to knock off local rival Bluffton 9-3 in a non-league game on Tuesday evening, April 1. 

Neither team scored in the first three innings of what started out as a pitchers’ duel.

The Bulldogs then scored five runs in the fourth inning, and tallied four more in the fifth to break open the scoreless battle and win.

Ada improved to 1-1 after earning their first victory, while Bluffton dropped to 2-1 with the defeat.

“The kids played a very solid game,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. 

Bulldog sophomore Wes Mowery earned the pitching win. He hurled five innings of two-hit baseball. Mowery gave up one earned run, struck out three and walked two.

“Wes Mowery threw strikes and our defense was solid,” said Smith. “Offensively, we hit the ball enough to put pressure on their defense. We were aggressive on the basepaths, which led to some extra runs.

“We had a few big innings (on offense), and stayed away from them on defense,” he added.

Ada out-hit the Pirates, 7-4. Mowery aided his own cause with a single, two runs, a walk and one run driven in. 

Bulldog sophomore third baseman Blake Zoladz collected two hits, scored two runs and stole a pair of bases. Ada sophomore catcher Allen singled, walked and stole a base.

Freshman second baseman Thad Smith stroked a two-run single. Ada junior Mason Wibley scored two runs and walked once. 

Bulldog sophomore relief pitcher Brody Rister collected a hit and a walk, scored a run, and had one RBI. He also pitched two innings of two-hit relief, allowing one run. He whiffed one Pirate and walked one.

Senior center fielder Kaine Fisher compiled a single, two runs, one RBI and a stolen base.

Pirate senior center fielder Landen Worcester and left fielder Blayne Hill each doubled. Second baseman Nathan Speicher and right fielder Brody Anderson singled to provide the other Bluffton hits.

Speicher, Worcester and Anderson scored a run apiece. Senior Luke Jebsen and Keaton Howbert each drew a walk.

Jake Weaver pitched the first three innings for Bluffton, allowing two hits, three walks and five earned runs to get the loss. Weaver struck out six.

Senior Howbert hurled the final four innings of relief. He gave up four runs on five hits and two walks. He whiffed five Bulldogs.

Ada left five runners on base, while Bluffton also stranded five. Both teams committed just one error.

The Bulldogs are slated to host Liberty-Benton (1-0) Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the inaugural Blanchard Valley Conference opener. 

Ada then entertains local non-league foe Cory-Rawson (0-1) Thursday, and visits arch-rival USV (0-1) Saturday for a twin bill. 

WP-Mowery (1-0) LP-Weaver

2B-Hill (B), Worcester (B)