PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen / CLICK to enlarge

By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The unbeaten Ada High School softball team whipped visiting arch-rival Upper Scioto Valley 11-3 in a non-league contest Saturday afternoon, April 4.

The Ram girls jumped ahead with two runs in the top of the first inning. But Ada matched it in the bottom of the first when freshman Tea Griffith slugged a two-run home run to center field that knotted the score.

The Bulldog girls took the lead with a run in the bottom of the second, then blew it open by tallying six runs in the third.

A Ram run in the top of the fourth cut their deficit to 9-3. But Ada tacked on two insurance runs in the home sixth to win by eight.

The three Ada freshmen hurlers combined to pitch the Bulldogs to victory.

Ada improved to 6-0 with the decisive win. USV fell to 1-5 after the loss to their traditional backyard nemesis.

“Tea and Shay had big days hitting,” said fifth-year Bulldog head coach Jeff Bassitt. “Alainee Buxton laid down a nice sacrifice bunt and got a hit.

“It was a good game to get everyone in the game,” he continued. “All three pitchers did a great job.”

Ram catcher Ashlyn Downing singled home two runs in the top of the first frame to put USV ahead early, 2-0. Yet Griffith tied it with her two-run homer.

Gabby Fleming then singled home a run in the Ada second to give the hosts the lead for good at 3-2.

Freshman Aubry Jordan singled home two runs to ignite the six-run third inning. Alainee Buxton singled to drive her in and stretch the lead to 6-2.

Sophie Fleming then stroked a double to drive in two runs.

Ram center fielder Audrey Lawrence plated Araya Boyd with the final USV run in the fourth on a run-scoring single.

Griffith knocked out a home run and two singles, scored three runs and drove in three runs to pace the 10-hit Ada offense.

Ada frosh Shay Smith contributed two hits, one run and an RBI to go with one walk and a steal. Freshman Aubry Jordan drove in two runs with a hit, and scored a run.

She also secured the win by pitching three innings and allowing no earned runs. Jordan gave up two hits and no walks while striking out six.

Griffith came on in relief and hurled the next three innings. She allowed three hits and one run with a walk while striking out three. Fellow freshman Maycie Dewese hurled a hitless seventh to close the contest.

Senior Buxton singled home a run and scored once. Gabby Fleming singled and had a sacrifice fly to drive home a run. Sophie Fleming doubled home a pair of runs. 

Reese Jordan scored three runs with a hit and two walks. Taliana Parker stole one base. Emily Shanks scored a run and walked once.

Ruby Risner and Lawrence each hit singles for the Rams. Curtis slugged a double. 

Losing pitcher Raegan Castle hurled the first three innings for USV, giving up seven hits and six earned runs. She struck out four and walked four.  

Risner tossed three innings in relief, allowing three hits and two earned runs.

Weather permitting, the Bulldog girls host Vanlue (1-2) Monday, April 6 in the Blanchard Valley Conference opener. Then they host another league foe in McComb (2-0) on April 8.

USV plays at NWCC foe Perry (0-2) on April 7.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 76-21 in their six victories. 

“We start league play on Monday,” Bassitt noted.

WP-Jordan (2-0) LP-R. Castle  

2B-S. Fleming (A), Curtis (U)

HR-Griffith (A)