By Cort Reynolds

McCOMB – The visiting Ada High School softball team decisively defeated Blanchard Valley Conference foe McComb 13-2 Wednesday evening, April 9.

The Bulldogs raced to a 10-0 lead after the top of the third inning and cruised to their third straight victory.

“It was nice to get another win,” said fourth-year Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. “We played clean softball. We did all the small things.”  

Ada improved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the BVC after the one-sided conference road win. 

McComb dropped to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in BVC play with the lopsided loss.

The Bulldog girls out-hit the Panthers, 11-2. The Panthers committed two errors to one miscue by Ada.    

Ada plated four runs in the top of the first to take control immediately. Jenna Bassitt led off with a double to right field. Bulldog freshman Emily Shanks beat out a bunt single, and Natilyn McClain walked to load the bases.

Tess Griffith grounded out to drive in Bassitt with the first run. Shanks came home on a wild pitch. Senior Karley Wagner singled to left field, followed by an RBI double from senior Aidra Preston.

Preston then stole third base and raced home on a throwing error to make it 4-0.

In the top of the second, Dailah Preston led off by singling on a blooper to center field. 

Junior Alainee Buxton grounded a single up the middle, and Bassitt was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Shanks plated the fifth run on a sacrifice fly, but a double play ended the threat.   

In the Ada third, Wagner drilled a one-out single and Aidra Preston was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Reese Jordan walked, followed by two wild pitches that brought Wagner home. 

Dailah Preston grounded out to third, which scored her sister Aidra. Buxton singled home Jordan to make it 8-0. Bassitt was hit by a pitch, and Shanks reached on an error by the right fielder which allowed two more Bulldogs to scamper home.

McComb scored its two runs in the home half of the third. Losing pitcher Lily Sebring was hit by a pitch, and Dakota Shellenberger doubled her home with the first run. She then scored on an Ada error.

In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs tallied three more runs. Dailah Preston singled, followed by a Buxton walk. After stealing third base, Preston came home on a wild pitch. 

Bassitt walked and Buxton scored on yet another wild pitch. Bassitt sped home on a throw to first after a dropped third strike throw to extend the margin to 13-2.

Bassitt retired the Panthers in order in the bottom of the fifth to end the contest via the 10-run mercy rule.

“Jenna pitched a good game, Natilyn caught a good game and the defense was solid,” summed up Bassitt. “We played better than we have the last two games.”

Senior hurler Bassitt struck out eight and gave up two hits with one earned run over five innings to earn her sixth victory. She doubled, walked once and was hit twice.

Aidra Preston doubled and stole a base. Dailah Preston hit two singles and swiped a base. Buxton had two hits and walked. Wagner slapped two singles. 

Shanks singled and stole a base, while Griffith added a single. Jordan walked and stole a base. McClain drew two walks. 

Ada is slated to visit former NWC rival Spencerville (1-4) Thursday. “We have to come ready to play,” said Bassitt.

Ada is scheduled to play at non-league foe Kalida (2-6) Saturday.  

WP-Bassitt (6-1) LP-Sebring

2B-Bassitt (A), A. Preston (A), Sebring (M), Shellenberger (M)