PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen / CLICK to enlarge and view at your own pace

By Cort Reynolds

KENTON – The visiting Ada softball team defeated Hardin County rival Kenton 13-3 in a run-rule shortened bout on a cool Thursday evening, May 8.

The Bulldog girls broke the game open with five runs in the third inning. They tallied six more runs in the fifth to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.

The Bulldogs improved to 18-3 overall with the five-inning, non-league victory. With that 18th win, Ada tied the program record for wins in a season set last year.

Kenton dropped to 2-12 with the defeat. “It was nice to get another win, a lot of girls contributed with hits,”
said Bulldog head coach Jeff Bassitt.

The Bulldog girls out-hit Kenton, 14-6.

Ada drew first blood in the second inning as Karley Wagner singled and scored on a double by Aidra Preston.

In the third, senior Jenna Bassitt walked and stole second. Senior Natilyn McClain lined an RBI single. Seniors Tess Griffith and Wagner each singled, followed by an error with the bases loaded to make it 3-0.

Sophomore Reese Jordan smacked a three-run double down the left field line to clear the bases and extend the Ada lead to 6-0.

In the home third, the Wildcats got on the board. Riley Totten of Kenton singled and Brayla Butler homered on a change-up over the left-center field fence to pull Kenton within 6-2.

Bassitt reached on an infield single to third and stole second leading off the fourth. Two outs later, Griffith reached on an error that allowed Bassitt to score to make it 7-2.

In the Ada fifth, Ada broke the game wide open. Dailah Preston reached on a Wildcat error and Sophie Fleming lined a single to left. Bassitt smoked an RBI double off the fence and Emily Shanks singled to left
field.

McClain singled and Griffith doubled to left. Aidra Preston singled, followed by bases-loaded walks to Jordan and Dailah Preston. When the dust cleared, Ada led 13-2.

In the Wildcat fifth, Totten singled and Butler drove her home with a sacrifice fly. But Aidra Preston caught a foul pop along the first base line to end the game.

Bassitt hit a single and a double, and walked once with two steals and three runs. Senior catcher McClain smacked three singles and drove in two. Senior center fielder Tess Griffith banged out a double and
singled. She scored twice and added one RBI.

Wagner stroked two hits, while Aidra Preston cracked a double and singled. Jordan drove in three runs by cranking a double. Sophie Fleming and Emily Shanks each added a single.

“Kenton is a decent team, so it was a nice win against a WBL school,” said Bassitt. “They played WBL leader Celina tough (3-2).”

Celina is 7-0 in the WBL and 14-3 overall. Bassitt struck out five and allowed three earned runs on six hits over five innings to get her 18th win.

Totten singled twice and scored twice for Kenton. Emori Criner singled and stole a base. Macee Heckathorn ripped a double and swiped a base.

Lyla Gammon added a single.

Kenton hurler Peyton Rudasill was the losing pitcher, allowing 14 hits while throwing 4 2/3 innings. She struck out two and walked four.

Ada improved to 9-3 on the road with the win.

The Bulldogs, who are 9-0 at home, are expected to host Shawnee (10-8) Tuesday, May 13. The scheduled makeup vs. rival USV set for May 12 was scratched since the Rams have to play league foe Waynesfield in a makeup game.

The Bulldogs entertain powerhouse Lincolnview (17-3) Friday, May 16 in
another makeup contest.

        123     456     7       R       H       E
Ada     015     16x     x       13      14      1
Kent    002     01x     x       3       6       5

WP-Bassitt (18-3)       LP-Rudasill
2B-Bassitt (A), Jordan (A), Griffith (A), A. Preston (A), Totten (K), Heckathorn (K)
HR-Butler (K)