By Cort Reynolds

Playing in Ada, the Bluffton High School varsity softball team was one out from defeat against Northwest Conference rival Ada on a windy Thursday evening, April 14. 

Then, behind 9-7 with two outs in the top of the seventh, Pirate senior Lauren Swartzlander slugged a game-saving, two-run home run well over the center field fence to tie it 9-9.

The teams battled into extra innings. In the top of the ninth, Bluffton sophomore Lauren Bassett smacked a home run to right field that proved to be the game-winner, 10-9.

The Lady Pirates improved to 3-4 and 1-0 in the NWC with the comeback win, their third victory in a row.

The Lady Bulldog record dropped to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the NWC with the bitter defeat.

Bluffton jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior Dyllan Worcester singled to left field to make it 3-0. Swartzlander then stroked a double to left field to plate her with the fourth run.

Ada battled back with three runs in the bottom of the opening inning. Freshman hurler Jenna Bassitt and classmate shortstop Aidra Preston led off with consecutive singles up the middle. 

Freshman Karley Wagner singled to center field to score Bassitt with the first run. Freshman Bela Price hit a pop-up that dropped in on the infield for an RBI single as Preston scampered home. 

One out later, Katie Sizemore drove home Wagner with a groundout to junior pitcher Hannah Davis.

In the Pirate second, Bassitt retired the side in order with two whiffs.

In the Ada second, Bassitt beat out an infield single with two outs. Preston then stroked a double down the left field line and the speedy Bassitt scored easily to tie it, 4-4.

Worcester doubled to left field to open the Pirate third but Bassitt retired the side without a run.

In the Pirate fourth, senior shortstop Riley Busch smacked a home run to help the visitors grab a 6-4 lead.

Ada again rallied in the bottom of the fifth to knot the score. Wagner reached on a fly ball error, and Price smacked an RBI single to left field to cut the deficit to 6-5. 

With two outs, junior Riley Finn looped an RBI single that scored Price with the trying run. A soft liner to second base off the bat of Emilee Huffer ended the threat.

In the Pirate sixth, they regained the lead. With two outs, senior catcher Sophie Bricker singled to left field. She stole second base and went to third when the throw got away from the Ada defense.

The ensuing throw to try and cut her down at third base also went awry, allowing her to scamper home with the lead run. A line-out to center fielder Huffer ended the frame.

The Bulldogs plated three runs in the home sixth to take their first lead of the game. Griffith singled to center, followed by a Bassitt walk. 

Preston grounded an RBI single into left field to plate Griffith and tie it, 7-7. Wagner stroked a double to right field to score Bassitt and give Ada the lead.

One out later, catcher Natilyn McClain smashed a hard one-hopper to shortstop, and she beat out the throw which skipped off the first baseman's glove, allowing the quick Wagner to scurry home with another run and extend the margin to 9-7.

In the top of the seventh, Preston made a lunging grab of a twisting pop fly on the infield into the strong wind. Worcester pulled a hard grounder to third, which was stabbed by the diving Price. However, she beat the throw to first base fired from Price's knees.

Bassitt retired Danielle Cross on a fly ball to Griffith in left field to get Ada within one out of victory.

Swartzlander then slugged her game-tying two-run shot to even the score at nine-all.

Ada went out in order in its half of the seventh to force extra innings. Bassitt set the Pirates down one two three in the top of the eighth.

In the Bulldog eighth, Bassitt beat out an infield hit to shortstop with one out. Preston then grounded out hard to second base, and Wagner popped out to southpaw catcher Bricker to end the threat.

In the Pirate ninth, Bassett untied it for the last time with a long homer to right field. 

In the Ada half of the ninth, a determined Davis was throwing harder and retired the first two hitters. Katie Sizemore then blooped a single over the second baseman to keep Ada alive.

But Davis reared back and got the final out on a swinging strikeout to end the thrilling contest.

Wagner, Bassitt and Preston each collected three hits for Ada.  

Price contributed a single and a double. Sizemore and Finn each had a hit and one RBI.   

Worcester cracked two doubles, a single and drove in a run to pace the Pirate offense. Swartzlander knocked in three runs with a homer and a double.

Busch also drove in three runs with a home run and a single. Bassett hit the winning homer and singled. Ashley Fleece added a hit.

Davis struck out 10 Bulldogs in nine innings, while Bassitt whiffed seven Pirates in a complete-game effort despite an ailing back.

   123 456 789 R   H  E

Blu 400 201 201 10 12 5

Ada 310 023 000 9 12 2

WP-Davis (3-3) LP-Bassitt (2-4)

2B-Wagner (A), Worcester 2 (B), Preston (A), Price (A), Swartzlander (B)

HR-Busch (B), Swartzlander (B), Bassett (B)

The Pirate girls host Miller City Friday, then entertain perennial NWC powerhouse Crestview Monday, April 18.