By Cort Reynolds

RIDGEWAY__The visiting Ada High School baseball team led early but eventually fell to Hardin County rival Ridgemont 9-4 on Saturday, April 25.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead in the top of the first inning on Wes Mowery’s two-run single. Ada then plated two more runs in the third frame to build a 4-1 lead.

But Ridgemont tallied three runs in the home half of the third to tie it up, 4-4. The Gophers then took control of the game by authoring a decisive four-run fourth inning. 

The hosts added one more insurance run in the sixth to win by five.

Ada dropped to 6-8 after the non-conference road defeat. Ridgemont improved to 6-5 with the home win. 

The Bulldogs were out-hit, 13-9. Ada committed one error, while the Gophers made two miscues.

Starting pitcher Mowery drove in three runs with three singles to pace the Ada offense. He also stole two bases. Mowery hurled two innings, allowing three hits and one earned run.

Starting catcher Robert Shanks smacked two singles, scored once and drove in a run. Shortstop Andrew Allen singled and scored a run.

Second baseman Thad Smith hit a single and executed a sacrifice bunt. Mason Wibley drew the lone Ada walk and scored a run. He relieved Mowery and pitched one inning, giving up two hits and three earned runs.

Shanks hurled the final three frames for Ada. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs. He struck out one and walked one.

Right fielder Logan Fleece added a single.

Gopher shortstop Ethan Moore pitched three innings of two-run relief to earn the win. He allowed three hits and struck out four.

Gopher third baseman Jayden Sifrit doubled, hit a single, drove in a run and scored twice. First baseman Maddox Thompson slugged a double, hit two singles, batted in two runs and scored a pair of runs.

Catcher Maverick Dawson singled twice, had one RBI and scored a run. Cole Henry delivered a two-run single.

Left fielder Brenden Eckstein slapped two singles and drove in one run.

Ada left six runners on base, while Ridgemont stranded nine baserunners. 

The Bulldogs (2-4 BVC) resume league play at home vs. Riverdale (4-9, 1-3 BVC) on Monday, April 27.

WP-Moore LP-Wibley

2B-Sifrit (R), Thompson (R)