Nine-run inning powers Worth past Baconton

BACONTON — For the first time this season, someone finally scored on Worth County.

It didn’t matter much to the final outcome.

The Lady Rams surrendered their first run of the season Wednesday but remained unbeaten, using a nine-run second inning to pull away from Baconton Charter for a 12-1, five-inning victory.

Worth County improved to 6-0 after opening the season with five consecutive shutouts.

The game got a late start after lightning delayed play in Baconton. Thunder continued to rumble and lightning flashed in the distance, but the rain stayed mostly north of the field and left behind unusually pleasant temperatures for an August softball game.

Once play began, Worth County wasted little time putting pressure on Baconton starter Jaden Sealy.

The Lady Rams loaded the bases twice in the first inning, but Sealy battled through the trouble and held Worth County to two runs. Ellasyn Gandy’s RBI double helped the Lady Rams grab the early lead.

Baconton then did something Worth County’s first five opponents couldn’t.

The Lady Blazers pushed a run across in the bottom of the first, with Jayci Matthews driving it in to end Worth County’s season-opening scoreless streak.

That made it 2-1.

An inning later, the game was essentially over.

Worth County sent hitter after hitter to the plate in a nine-run second inning. Sealy twice made diving attempts at balls hit back toward the circle, but the Lady Rams kept finding ways to reach base and eventually chased the Baconton starter.

Worth took advantage of two errors and several walks while also getting run-producing hits from Ansley Bartley, Karlee Mathews and Molly Williford. Mathews’ single brought home two runs, while Bartley and Williford each drove in one.

By the time Kylie Sharp took over in the circle for Baconton and the inning finally ended, Worth County had turned a one-run game into an 11-1 advantage.

Williford led the Lady Rams’ 13-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with three singles. Gandy went 2-for-2 and finished with a team-high three RBIs, while Bartley and Isabelle Hancock also had multiple hits.

Worth County also drew six walks, including three by Laurie Pritchard.

Austyn Kate Rucker went the distance in the circle for the Lady Rams and kept Baconton from mounting another threat after the first inning. Rucker allowed one run on five hits over five innings, striking out three and walking two.

Worth County was also flawless defensively, finishing without an error.

Brailyn Williams led Baconton at the plate with two hits in two at-bats. Sharp pitched the final four innings for the Lady Blazers, allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out one and walking one.

Worth County added its final run in the fourth before closing out another lopsided victory.

The Lady Rams’ shutout streak may be over, but six games into the season, their winning streak is still very much intact.