By Cort Reynolds
The young Ada High School girls softball team lost its season lidlifter at non-league foe Arcadia by a 9-4 count Tuesday evening, March 29.
"Errors and leaving people on base hurt," said new Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. "We were in the game and did some good stuff, but we have to clean up the errors.
"They had a really good catcher and pitcher," he added. "We had some hard-hit outs, but they made plays on them. They hit the ball harder than we did, and in the gap more. They have a nice team."
Ada left eight runners on base after collecting eight hits and six walks. Arcadia scored the last six runs of the contest to pull off the comeback win.
Bulldog freshman Natilyn McClain drove in one run with two singles. Pitcher Jenna Bassitt tripled, singled and scored a run. Freshman Belah Price contributed two singles and one RBI.
Ada took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Bassitt hit a triple and then continued on home to score in a rundown.
But Emily Rank and Mundy cranked back-to-back solo homers in the bottom of the third inning to give Arcadia a 2-1 lead.
Ada regained the lead 4-3 with a three-run fifth frame. McClain slapped an RBI single, followed by Price's run-scoring single that put the Bulldogs ahead.
Arcadia took the lead back for good with three runs in the home fifth with the aid of two errors and a hit.
The Redskins tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on an error, a hit and a walk.
The Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh in a last-ditch effort to rally. But Redskin hurler Jordan Tong struck out the last two Ada batters to preserve the win.
Redskin catcher Lexi Rodriguez added two singles among the 10 Arcadia hits. Tong whiffed 13 Bulldogs and scattered eight hits.
Freshman hurler Bassitt pitched a six-inning complete game in her varsity debut. She allowed five earned runs and struck out nine with two walks.
Price, McClain and Bassitt each stroked two hits. Freshman Aidra Preston and sophomore Daicy Robinson added a single apiece.
123 456 7 R H E
Ada 001 030 0 4 8 7
Arc 002 133 x 9 10 2
WP-Tong LP-Bassitt (0-1)
3B-Bassitt (A)
HR-Rank (Ar), Mundy (Ar)
Ada (0-1) plays at Cory-Rawson Thursday, March 31 in a non-league bout.
Ada will play a split twinbill Saturday, April 2, at noon. They face rival USV in game one before hosting Miller City in the nightcap.
The scheduled Bulldog home opener vs. local foe Hardin Northern Monday was postponed due to cold and wind chill in the teens.
