ONTARIO — The Killer B’s delivered for Danville.

Pitcher Addy Bocock recorded her 500th career strikeout and slugger Ruby Bartok belted a game-tying home run for her 100th career hit as the Blue Devils rallied for a 4-3 win over Ashland on opening night at the Mid-Ohio Spring Classic softball tournament at Marshall Park.

“I wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team,” Danville coach Charlie Duncan said of the senior duo. “We’ve got a young team with five freshmen, so they provide leadership for us.”

Dealing

Already the author of two perfect games this season, Bocock was her usual stellar self. She gave up five hits and struck out 13.

“It’s a great accomplishment, I guess,” Bocock said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity.”

The right-hander, Bocock came in with 491 career whiffs. She reached the milestone in the top of the fifth with the game still scoreless.

“I knew I was getting close,” Bocock said. “My dad told me before the game I needed nine strikeouts.”

Fantastic Finish

Ashland took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth when Josie Vantilburg belted a two-out solo shot to center.

Enter Bartok.

The senior tied the score when she led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot to left center, her 100th career hit and ninth homer of the season.

“I knew I had 99 hits and to hit a home run for my 100th, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Bartok said. “I didn’t think it was over at first, but it snuck out.”

Danville (10-3) took advantage of two Ashland errors to score two more runs in the sixth for a 3-1 advantage going to the seventh.

Ashland (4-5) tied it in the top of the seventh on Rowan Varnes’ two-out, two-run single. 

The Blue Devils won it on freshman Morgan Heinekens’ bases-loaded single in the bottom of the inning.

“Our girls have nothing to hang their heads about,” Ashland coach Bob Halblaub said. “They gave themselves a chance to win. You can’t ask for anything more than that.

“That was probably our best game of the year.”

Competition

Despite the loss, Halblaub was pleased with the way his team competed.

“That has always been our goal, to come to this tournament and play against tough competition,” Halblaub said. “We want to see those kinds of teams.”

Duncan agreed.

“We come to this tournament to be tested,” Duncan said. “Our ultimate goal is to make a tournament run at the end of the season. We feel like this tournament prepares us for what’s coming in the postseason.”