Worth County beats Whitewater to advance to Columbus

SYLVESTER — All Worth County needed was the right arm of Caroline Newton and a handful of runs to beat Whitewater 3-0 and 2-1 in consecutive games on Wednesday night.

With the sweep, the Lady Rams advance to the state tournament which will be played in at South Commons Park in Columbus next week. The double-elimination tournament begins next Thursday.

In the opening game, Worth struggled offensively through the first four innings, getting just two hits while striking out six times. The Lady Rams’ best chance to score came in the second inning when they had a runner on first and second with two outs.

But Worth could not capitalize on the scoring opportunity and the inning ended quietly. Whitewater pitcher Sarah Middleton finished with eight strikeouts.

Whitewater had a chance to break the scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Angela Heimback led the inning off with a double. But Newton stranded the runner at second after getting two pop-ups and a strikeout to end the inning.

“This are huge, huge wins,” Worth coach Kaleb Hathcock said. “This is only the second time in the school’s history that we are going to Columbus. We also tied the school’s record with 28 wins in a season, so this win is huge. To do it at home is even better.”

The Lady Wildcats also had a chance to get on the board after a double to lead off the fifth inning. Once again, Newton stranded the runner, this time with three consecutive strikeouts.

The scoreless tie was finally broken in the sixth inning when Worth leadoff hitter Taylor Layfield hit a two-out home run to center.

Worth added two insurance runs in the sixth inning when McKenzie Newell singled to right with runners on second and third to make the score 3-0.

With one out in the seventh inning, the Lady Wildcats had runners on first and second after two consecutive singles. But Newton again delivered, striking out the final two batters to end the threat and the game. She finished the game with 13 strikeouts.

In the second game of the series, the Lady Rams, the away team, loaded the bases with one out in the first inning but managed to only push one run across the plate.

Newton, who also started the second game, once again displayed her ability to work out of a jam.

In the third inning, Whitewater had runners on first and second with one out when Newton struck out the next two batters to end the inning and keep the score 1-0.

“I just clear my mind and think about throwing strikes,” Newton said. “I just throw strikes and try and get the batter out. Just really trying to do what I can do.”

After consecutive singles by Newton and Brinsley Graddy to open the fifth inning, the Lady Rams made the score 2-0 on a sacrifice fly by Newell.

Down by 2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Whitewater had runners on second and third and was able to cut the lead to 2-1. Newton struck out the final batter to finish the game.

Lindsey Toneygay went 3 for 4 with three singles and an RBI in the second game. Newton also finished 3 for 4 with three singles.