Photos by Mark Andreasen
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON – The visiting Ada High School softball team hammered Bluffton 12-1 Tuesday, April 1 to stay undefeated.
“It was nice to get another win and play a clean game,” said fourth-year Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. “We didn’t make any errors. It is nice to play solid defense.”
The Bulldogs out-hit the Pirates 12-1 in the run-rule shortened contest.
Ada improves to 3-0 with the non-league victory, while Bluffton lost its opener to start out 0-1.
Over five innings, Bulldog senior hurler Jenna Bassitt struck out six and walked none. She allowed just one hit and one earned run.
On offense she slugged a home run, singled, scored four runs, drove in two and stole a base.
Ada senior outfielder Tess Griffith drove in four runs with three hits and scored one run. She hit a two-run single in the first inning to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead they never relinquished.
Sophomore Reese Jordan doubled and junior Alainee Buxton walked in the second to start a rally. Soph Dailah Preston singled in Jordan to make it 3-0. Bassitt and Natilyn McClain later delivered RBI singles to stretch the lead to 6-0.
Bluffton plated its lone run in the bottom of the second inning. Danielle Cross singled and later scored on a Greta Meyer groundout.
In the Ada third, Jordan doubled to left field with two outs. Buxton was hit by a pitch but the Bulldogs were unable to score.
Leading off the top of the fourth, Bassitt drilled a line-drive solo home run over the center field fence. McClain doubled to left field, and Griffith singled. Karley Wagner lined a single to score McClain and stretch the margin to 10-1.
McClain and Griffith singled in the fifth, along with two walks. Gabbie Fleming scored a run as a pinch-runner.
Bassitt retired the final 11 Pirates in order to finish the win.
Sophomore Jordan smacked two doubles and scored a run.
Ada catcher McClain batted 3-3 with a double, two singles, three runs and one RBI. Shortstop Wagner singled, scored a run and drove one in.
Outfielder Dailah Preston singled and scored a run. Buxton was hit by a pitch and scored.
The Bulldogs scored four runs in the second and fourth frames. Ada also plated two runs in the first and fifth innings.
Cross scored their lone run and had the only Bluffton hit. She also stole a base. Pirate Meyer collected the lone Pirate RBI.
Bluffton’s Peyton Worcester started and pitched the first 3.3 innings to get the loss.
Weather permitting, the Bulldogs host league foe Liberty-Benton (3-1) Wednesday, April 2 in the BVC opener.
Ada then entertains Cory-Rawson (0-0) Thursday, and visits rival USV (0-1) for a doubleheader Saturday.
“We have a big game Wednesday in the league opener, so we better come ready to play,” said Bassitt.
Last Saturday’s scheduled home opener vs. LCC was rained out after both teams had warmed up. Ada’s game at county rival Hardin Northern Monday was postponed as well. No makeup dates have been set yet.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 240 42x x 12 12 0
Bluf 010 00x x 1 1 2
WP-Bassitt (3-0) LP-Worcester
2B-Jordan 2 (A), McClain (A)
HR-Bassitt (A)
