Worth County wins 12th in a row behind strong Lalan Ellis performance

EASTMAN — The No. 2-ranked Worth County Rams (16-2, 10-0) won their 12th straight game and remained unbeaten in Region 1-AA with an 8-4 win over Dodge County in Eastman.

Senior right-hander Lalan Ellis dominated the mound for six innings, giving up only two hits with no runs or walks, while striking out 10 batters. 

The Rams got single runs in the first and second innings to go ahead 2-0 early, and Worth County added three runs in the fifth. Avery Kilcrease doubled to right with one out in the inning. One out later, Coy Etheredge walked before Owen Fletcher doubled to right to score Kilcrease and put Etheredge at third. Designated Hitter Luke Rogers then smacked a single to center that put the Rams up 5-0.

The Rams added three more in the seventh. Singles by Kilcrease and Luke Smith began the final inning before Fletcher reached on an error and loaded the bases. Rogers then belted another single to center that scored a run, and Ellis walked with the bases loaded for another run. The final run for Worth County came when Brady Weaver was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Rogers ended the day with three RBIs, while Weaver added two. Kilcrease had three hits and scored twice for the Rams.

Dodge County took advantage of two errors, two hits and two walks in the seventh inning to close the gap.

The two teams will play a doubleheader Friday at Pope Park in Sylvester with the first game to lead-off at 4 p.m.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]