By Cort Reynolds

ADA __The Ada High School baseball team beat visiting local rival Bluffton 5-4 on a walk-off walk to cap a rainy contest on a warm but very wet evening at the park on Tuesday, March 31.

The close game featured five lead changes, and neither team ever led by more than one run in the rivalry battle.

The Pirates trailed 3-2 after five frames, but went ahead by plating two runs in the top of the sixth inning.

The Bulldogs tied it with a run in the home half of the sixth. After shutting out the Pirates in the top of the seventh, they won in walk-off fashion behind a base on balls drawn by Gavin Guyton with the bases-loaded and two out.

The Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with the big win. The Pirates start off 0-1 after dropping their opener.

“Great win for the Bulldogs tonight,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “Every single player played a vital role in our win. I am very proud of our team.” 

Ada led the close battle 1-0 after two innings. But the Pirates inched ahead 2-1 with single runs in the third and fourth frames. The Bulldogs knotted it up 2-2 with a run in the home fourth, then surged in front 3-2 with a run in the fifth.

Ada leadoff-hitter catcher Andrew Allen stroked two singles, walked and scored a run. He also stole three bases.

Bulldog shortstop Wes Mowery roped two singles and drew a walk. Brody Rister singled, scored a run and walked once.

Center fielder Colt Archer swatted a two-run double and scored a run. Third baseman Robert Shanks walked twice, scored two runs and swiped one bag.

Bulldog left fielder Mason Wibley coaxed a walk and was hit by a pitch.

Ada out-hit the Pirates 6-4 on the soggy day. The Pirates committed three errors that led to two unearned runs. The Bulldogs were guilty of four miscues and one unearned run. 

Rister started and pitched the first four innings. He allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out two and walking one.

Mowery relieved and threw 2.7 innings. He walked five and gave up two runs on two hits with one whiff. Guyton got the last out on one pitch in the seventh.

Senior Javen Crawfis hurled 4.3 innings for the Pirates. He gave up four hits and two earned runs. He struck out six and walked one. Blayne Hill relieved and pitched one inning, as he walked seven and allowed a run. Senior Robby Taylor pitched 1.3 frames and allowed two hits with one whiff.

Crawfis singled in two runs, while left fielder William Hoover doubled home a run and drew a walk. Hill singled and walked once. Taylor drew a pair of walks and scored a run.

Right fielder Blue singled, walked and scored once. Third baseman Jackson Bowlus walked, was hit by a pitch twice, stole a base and scored two runs.

The Pirates left 12 runners on base, while Ada stranded seven.

Ada visits Liberty-Benton (1-2) in the Blanchard Valley Conference opener on Wednesday, April 1.

Bluffton is slated to host non-league foe Ridgemont (1-0) on Wednesday. They play at the Bath Classic on Saturday.

WP-Guyton LP-Hill

2B-Archer (A), Hoover (B), Crawfis (B)