By Cort Reynolds

ADA – The Ada High School baseball team lost to visiting Blanchard Valley Conference power Van Buren 16-2 on a warm Wednesday evening, April 23.

The unbeaten Black Knights jumped ahead with five runs in the top of the first frame. VB tallied four more in the second, and pushed five runs across in the third to build a 14-2 lead. 

The Bulldogs plated single runs in the first and second innings.

Ada dropped to 3-9 overall and 2-4 in the BVC with the defeat. Van Buren improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in BVC play after the win.

“The kids are trying really hard to improve,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “It is hard to see sometimes, but we are getting better.”

VB knocked out 18 hits, and the Knights drew four walks. The Bulldogs rapped out five hits, including a pair of doubles.

Ada shortstop Levi Green doubled home one run. Mason Wibley hit a double. Bulldog sophomore catcher Andrew Allen singled and scored one run. Thad Smith singled in a run. 

Senior center fielder Kaine Fisher scored the other Ada run.

James Patton knocked in five runs with a triple to lead the Knights. Grady Mason doubled, singled twice and drove in three runs. Will Rampe rapped three hits, scored two runs and had two RBI.

The Bulldogs committed one error, while VB made two miscues. Ada stranded seven runners, while the Knights left nine on base.

Ada visits local arch-rival and former league foe Allen East (6-4) Thursday. AE blanked Bluffton 8-0 Tuesday, and beat Ridgemont 8-2 Wednesday. The game was originally slated to be played at Ada.

123 456 7 R H E

VB 545 02x x 16 18 2

Ada 110 00x x 2 5 1

WP-Henry LP-Wibley

2B-Rampe (VB), Mason (VB), Lance (VB), Homan (VB), Green (A), Wibley (A)

3B-Patton (VB)