By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The visiting Ada High School baseball team surrendered two runs just one out from victory and lost a 5-4 heartbreaker at non-conference foe Fort Jennings on Wednesday, May 6.

The Bulldogs tallied two runs in the top of the sixth inning to forge ahead, 4-3. 

But Fort Jennings won it in walk-off fashion with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when first baseman Evan Ellerbrock punched a two-run single to an open spot in the defense. 

“The kids played great, we had two opportunities to score and cashed in on both,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “We had a situation in the seventh where a single off the end of the bat found a hole, and that’s how we came up short.”

Ada dropped to 7-11 overall after the difficult road defeat.

Fort Jennings improved to 10-6 with the home win.

The Musketeers scored single runs in the first two frames to build a 2-0 lead. Ada tied it 2-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth. FJ inched on top 3-2 by pushing across a run in the home fourth.

Bulldog sophomore first baseman Xavier Smith singled twice, stole a base and drove in three runs to pace the Ada offense.

Junior shortstop Wes Mowery smacked an RBI double and scored one run.

Freshman catcher Robert Shanks singled, drew two walks and scored two runs for Ada. Bulldog sophomore second baseman Thad Smith hit a single and drew a walk. 

Junior DH Brody Rister pitched 1.7 innings and allowed one earned run on a hit and a walk. He struck out two.

Gavin Guyton hurled 3.3 innings of solid one-run relief. He gave up five hits and one walk while whiffing one.

Senior Mason Wibley tossed the final 1.7 frames. He allowed two hits and two earned runs with one strikeout and one walk.

At the plate, Wibley drew a walk and scored one run.

The Bulldogs were out-hit by the Musketeers 8-5, and coaxed four walks. Ada committed one error, while FJ was guilty of no miscues. 

Musketeer Sam Dube doubled for their lone extra-base hit. He also swatted a single and scored two runs. 

FJ starting hurler Dube pitched 5.3 innings of five-hit baseball. He allowed three earned runs and three walks, while striking out seven. 

Musketeer Cayden Swick pitched 1.7 innings of scoreless relief with two whiffs to get the win.

FJ left five runners on the basepaths, while Ada also stranded five.

The Bulldogs host Hardin County rival Kenton (3-11) on Thursday.  

WP-Swick LP-Wibley

2B-Mowery (A), S. Dube (FJ)