By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Ada High School softball team fashioned a huge fifth inning explosion to run-rule Kalida 14-2 in a non-conference game on a warm Wednesday evening, April 12.

The Bulldogs led 3-0 after two innings. They tacked on two runs in the top of the fourth to go up 5-0, but scrappy Kalida matched that with two scores in the home half of the fourth.

Ada then blew the game open with a nine-run fifth inning to invoke the 10-run rule after holding Kalida scoreless in the bottom of the fifth.

Freshman Abby Johnston slugged a two-run double, and Emma Lambdin added an RBI single to collect their first varsity hits.

The Ada girls improved to 9-1 overall with the win. The Wildcats fell to 0-7 after the defeat.

“Natilyn (McClain) pitched well,” said Ada second-year head coach Jeff Bassitt. “She got her first win and did really well. Marley (Bulerin) did well at catcher.”

Ada ended the game on a caught stealing as Bulerin gunned down a would-be base stealer and Jenna Bassitt applied the tag at second base. 

Sophomore McClain pitched all five innings to earn her first varsity pitching win. She gave up four hits and struck out six Wildcats. She aided her own cause at the plate by slugging a triple and two singles.

Bassitt drew three walks. Sophomore Aidra Preston had a good game defensively at first base, recording five of the first six putouts in the initial two innings.

Ada out-hit Kalida, 9-4. 

“We got good production from the bench,” the coach added. “It was nice to get back on the winning track.”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E

Ada 2 1 0 2 9 x  x 14 9 2

Kal 0 0 0 2 0 x  x 2 4 6

WP-McClain (1-0) LP-M. Nienberg

2B-Johnston (A), Griffith (A), Basinger (K)

3B-McClain (A)

Ada plays at local league rival Bluffton (5-5, 1-0 NWC) Thursday. 

The Pirates won their NWC opener 5-4 at Delphos Jefferson Monday, then lost to McComb 4-0 Tuesday.