Ada High School softball bulldozed visiting St. Henry 11-3 in a rain-affected non-conference game Friday, April 24, showcasing their offensive firepower and stifling defense at home.
The Bulldogs turned the game around in a stunning fashion by erupting for 7 runs in the second inning, battering past the Redskins and seizing full control. The victory boosts Ada’s overall record to 15-2 and makes them a dominant 10-1 at home, while St. Henry slips to 3-12 amid pitching struggles and costly errors.
Bulldogs Ignite Huge Second Inning Rally
After St. Henry led 1-0 early on an RBI double by Breonna McCoy, Ada’s offense ignited in the rain with a second-inning surge featuring a mixture of walks, hustle steals, sharp hits, and crucial defensive miscues by the Redskins.
Freshman pitcher Tea Griffith led from the mound, striking out four across her first four innings and allowing only one unearned run. Ada’s shortstop, Emily Shanks, delivered a game-saving running catch early to keep momentum on the Bulldogs’ side.
Ada’s rally began with a walk-steal combination from Shay Smith and continued when Dailah Preston singled home two runs, followed by key RBI hits from Reese Jordan and Alainee Buxton, along with a timely St. Henry throwing error to extend the lead.
Pitching Dominates as Bulldogs Stifle St. Henry
Aubry Jordan, also a freshman, took the mound for the final three innings, striking out five and maintaining pressure with solid control. Ada’s defense executed a critical double play in the third inning to quell the Redskins’ rally attempts.
Despite St. Henry’s occasional rallies, including a solo homer by catcher Hannah Gast in the fifth and doubles from McCoy, Ada’s strong pitching and aggressive base running ensured a commanding lead throughout.
Bulldogs’ Balanced Offense Powers Victory
The Bulldogs out-hit St. Henry 10-5 and capitalized on seven St. Henry errors to produce six unearned runs. Ada combined excellent plate discipline with effective hitting, drawing seven walks and showcasing clutch hitting from Reese Jordan, who doubled twice to drive in runs.
Summer Wibley impressed with two long hits off the center field fence and Junior outfielder Preston delivered a critical two-RBI single. Team captain Alainee Buxton and freshmen Griffith and Aubry Jordan also contributed key RBIs.
Looking Ahead
Ada’s dominant run continues as they gear up to face defending NWC champion Lincolnview in a makeup game Saturday at 1 p.m. The Lancers ran past Spencerville 13-0 recently, promising a challenging test for Ada on the road, where the Bulldogs hold a strong 5-1 record.
The Bulldogs have outscored opponents 208-40 over 17 games—an overwhelming average margin of 12.2 runs per game, signaling a team firing on all cylinders as the postseason nears.
For North Carolina and US softball fans looking for the latest showcase in high school athletics, Ada’s powerful performance Friday night highlights a team poised for a deep run with balanced pitching, aggressive baserunning, and timely hitting.
