One era ends, another begins — Kilcrease leads the way

SYLVESTER — For more than a century, Worth County baseball lived in one place.

On Monday night, it finally moved — and did so behind a performance worthy of both the moment and the history it closed.

In the first varsity game played at Worth County’s new baseball facility, the Rams opened the season with a win and handed the ball to senior right-hander Avery Kilcrease, who turned the night into a statement.

Kilcrease struck out the first five batters he faced, never walked a hitter and finished with 15 strikeouts in six overpowering innings, allowing just one hit as Worth County began a new era after 115 years at Pope Park in downtown Sylvester.

“Avery was dealing tonight,” Worth County coach Will Smith said. “He was in complete control.”

From the outset, Kilcrease commanded the strike zone with ease, setting a tone that made the surroundings — the new lights, the new field, the new routines — feel almost secondary. The game slowed to his pace, and nothing ever threatened to speed it up.

Worth County’s offense supplied just enough.

The Rams scored the first run in the history of the new park in the second inning. Hayden Short was hit by a pitch, and one out later Garrett Brooks singled to right. Short slid home headfirst, etching the first varsity run into the field’s story.

Another run followed soon after. Lyndon Worthy was also hit by a pitch, moved to third on a balk and slid home on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. Worth County added a third run in the fourth inning, and with Kilcrease on the mound, it felt significant.

When Kilcrease exited after six, fellow senior Colby Griffis took over and finished the job in the seventh.

“Colby came in and did exactly what you need a senior to do,” Smith said. “When you’re only up 3-0, things can change in a hurry, so the game wasn’t secure until the end.”

The game itself felt familiar. Everything around it did not.

Smith, who has spent 25 years around Worth County baseball, admitted the first night in the new facility carried more emotion than he anticipated.

“It felt different. I was really nervous,” Smith said. “After 25 years and coming into this new place, I was so excited and nervous I was stumbling over my words before the game even started.

“This place is so amazing. To think about how long you’ve been working toward something like this — and then to finally see it come to fruition — that was special.”

The players, he said, already seem comfortable.

“The kids have claimed this as their home field,” Smith said. “For me, it felt like I was somewhere else tonight. I’m sure once we play a few games and settle into the routines, it’ll feel like home.”

Worth County won’t have long to wait.

The Rams return to their new park Friday night when Crisp County visits — another game, another chance to begin filling a place that already feels ready for its stories.