By Cort Reynolds

NORTH BALTIMORE __ The visiting Ada High School baseball team lost a 5-4 non-conference nailbiter in the final inning to North Baltimore Saturday, April 12.

The Bulldogs tied the game 4-4 with a run in the top of the seventh frame. But NB tallied a walk-off run with one out in the home half of the seventh to win.

With one out in the seventh, the Tigers started their final rally with a drag bunt single by Zander Ferdinandsen. He then stole second. The next two batters walked to load the bases.

NB then won it on a bases-loaded walk that forced in Ferdinandsen with the winning run.

Ada’s overall record dropped to 2-5 after the tough defeat. The Tigers improved to 1-2 with the victory.

“The kids are playing hard,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “We are close. I am hoping we can keep grinding.”

The Bulldogs led 1-0 after the top of the first, but NB rallied to lead 4-1 after two frames. Ada inched within 4-3 with a pair of runs in the fourth, then tied it in the seventh.

Ada senior leadoff hitter Levi Green compiled a hit, a walk, two stolen bases and two runs.

Catcher Andrew Allen stroked two singles. Pitcher Mason Wibley singled home a run.

Second baseman Wes Mowery and first baseman Brody Rister added the other Bulldog hits. Blake Zoladz drove in one run.

Both teams rapped out six hits, but Ada made five errors compared to one miscue by NB.

Tiger pitcher Ferdinandsen doubled, singled, scored twice and knocked in two runs. First baseman Lucas Long contributed a double, single, a walk and an RBI.

The Tigers left five runners on base, while Ada stranded seven.  

Bulldog starting hurler Wibley hurled 4.2 innings of five-hit baseball. None of the four runs the Tigers scored were earned when he was on the mound. He struck out three and walked none.

Sophomore Zoladz relieved and pitched the last 1.2 innings. He gave up one hit, one earned run and three walks. He struck out two.

The Bulldogs (1-1 BVC) play at new league foe Elmwood (3-2, 1-0 BVC) Monday. Ada hosts Arlington (1-4, 1-0 BVC) Wednesday, April 16.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

WP-Solly LP-Zoladz

2B-Long (NB), Ferdinandsen (NB)