PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen / CLICK to enlarge

By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The Ada High School baseball team decisively defeated visiting local rival Upper Scioto Valley 9-4 on Saturday afternoon, April 4.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead 3-0 after the first inning and never trailed. After USV tallied single runs in the second and third frames to edge within 3-2, Ada plated five runs in the bottom of the third to regain control with an 8-2 advantage.

The Rams responded with two runs in the top of the fourth, and Ada added one run in the sixth to provide the final margin of five runs.

The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 overall with the victory. USV fell to 0-3 with the defeat.

“The kids made some winning plays today that we haven’t made so far this year, so we are excited to see that,” said Ada head coach Toby Smith. “The hitting is coming along, and our defense is improving.” 

Bulldog right fielder Colt Archer legged out a triple and hit two singles to pace the offense. He also scored one run.

Ada shortstop Wes Mowery singled twice, drew two walks, scored one run and stole a base. Junior catcher Andrew Allen singled and had one run batted in with a sacrifice fly.

Logan Fleece slapped a two-run single. Thad Smith contributed an RBI single, scored a run, stole one base and walked once.

Ada out-hit the Rams, 10-7. The Bulldogs played errorless defense, while USV committed four errors that led to three unearned runs.

Bulldog Mason Wibley started and pitched the first four innings. He scattered seven hits and allowed four earned runs while striking out one and walking one.

Wibley also hit a double, scored a run and walked once.

Ada’s Robert Shanks relieved and tossed three final frames of hitless, no-run baseball. He struck out three and walked three. Shanks also singled, scored two runs and had one RBI.

Ram Macoy Underwood singled in a run, scored one run and walked once.

Caiden Lowery and Wyatt Davis each hit an RBI single. Upper seniors Braylon Dunson and Ryan Roberts both slapped a single and scored a run apiece. Junior catcher Beau Sanders also hit a single and scored one run.

Ram starting pitcher Jesse Prater drove in one run. He gave up five earned runs and seven hits in 2.7 innings. He struck out two and walked three. Lowery hurled 2.7 innings of three-hit, one-run relief, whiffing three and walking two. The Rams threw six wild pitches.

USV left nine runners on base, while Ada stranded eight.

Ada hosts Vanlue (0-2) in their belated BVC opener on Monday, April 6. The Bulldogs entertain league foe McComb (0-1) on Wednesday, April 8.

USV plays at NWCC rival Perry on April 7.

WP-Wibley LP-Prater

2B-Wibley (A)
3B-Archer (A)