By Cort Reynolds

VANLUE – The visiting Ada High School softball team out-slugged Vanlue 23-10 to win their first Blanchard Valley Conference in a wild contest on a cold Monday evening, April 7.

Bulldog center fielder Tess Griffith smacked four doubles and drove in four runs to pace the onslaught. She added a single for a perfect 5-5 batting day, and tallied four runs.

Ada exploded for 22 combined runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to rally and win big.

“It was a big night for Tess, and it is good to get another win,” said fourth-year Ada head coach Jeff Bassitt. “Tonight was very tough conditions for all the players, especially for the pitchers. Vanlue had open dugouts.”  

Ada improved to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the BVC after the lopsided conference road victory. Vanlue dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-1 with the defeat.

The Bulldog girls out-hit the Wildcats, 19-8. The Wildcats also committed 10 errors to six miscues by Ada on the cold, windy evening. The purple and gold knocked out nine doubles among their 19 hits.

Bulldog freshman Emily Shanks slapped two singles, walked once, scored three runs and drove in two runs.

Senior Aidra Preston drilled a double, singled, had two RBI and scored twice. Junior Alainee Buxton hammered a three-run double. Sophomore Reese Jordan smacked a double, singled, drew a walk, had one RBI and scored three runs. She also swiped two bases.

Senior Jenna Bassitt swatted a double, singled, swiped two bases and scored a pair of runs. Sophomore Dailah Preston hit two singles and stole a base. Senior Natilyn McClain doubled, and classmate Karley Wagner singled. 

“Nat did a nice job behind the plate,” Bassitt pointed out. “There was no way to get out of the wind. Very tough.”

Bassitt pitched four innings to get her fifth win, while Jordan tossed the other frame.

Vanlue led 5-1 after two innings. But Ada seized an 8-5 lead with a seven-run third frame.

The Bulldogs pushed eight runs across the plate in the fourth to build the lead to 16-5. The Wildcats came back with four scores in the home half of the fourth frame.

Another seven-run outburst in the top of the fifth put Ada comfortably ahead, 23-9. Vanlue scored one run in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough to avoid the 10-run mercy rule loss.

Losing pitcher Madison Brooks slugged a home run and drove in three runs for Vanlue. Riley Smith hit a double, singled, drew a walk and had four RBI. Alison Brooks slapped three singles and had one RBI. Olivia Secord rapped out a pair of singles, coaxed a walk and tallied four runs.

Brooks struck out six and walked three in five innings. Only six of the 23 Ada runs were earned due to the 10 Wildcat errors.

Ada is slated to play at league foe McComb (1-3, 0-1 BVC) Wednesday. The Bulldogs will visit former NWC rival Spencerville (1-4) Thursday. Ada is scheduled to visit Kalida (2-6) Saturday.  

WP-Bassitt (4-1) LP-Brooks

2B-Griffith 4 (A), A. Preston (A), Buxton (A), Jordan (A), Bassitt (A), Smith (M), McClain (A)

HR-Brooks (M)