Worth baseball splits with Rutland in state playoffs

SYLVESTER — Elation and heartbreak. Back and forth. The Worth County Rams came from behind with a walkoff single by Gabe Burger in the bottom of the seventh inning of game one to beat Rutland 3-2 Wednesday afternoon, but then saw Rutland take game two 7-6. The two teams will play the rubber match of the series Thursday at 5:30. The winner moves to the Sweet 16 round of the state playoffs, the loser goes home. The Rams are now 23-5 heading into the game Thursday.

Trailing 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, pitcher Jeremiah Reddell started the rally when he beat a throw on a sharply hit ball to third base. Parker Castleberry came in to pinch run for Reddell and he moved to second on a fielders choice hit by Gabe Goff. Jack Fletcher singled to left and then Burger smacked his single to left field to give the Rams the 4-3 victory.

Reddell pitched all seven innings to record the win on the mound for the Rams.

While the first game didn’t see much action at home plate, the second game was the opposite. The teams switched roles as the Rams started the game and the Hurricanes took the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the first, the Rams chased Rutland pitcher Riley Jones with two quick runs. Jack Fletcher doubled to score those two runs, the Burger was hit by a pitch and Bryce Graddy walked to load the bases. The Hurricanes brought in Peyton McKinney who quickly shut down the Ram rally.

In the bottom of the inning, the Hurricanes returned the favor to Worth’s starting pitcher Bailey Coker. After Rutland put three runs on the board with only one hit, three walks and an error, Worth skipper Will Smith moved Coker to left field and brought Fletcher to the mound. The Rams were down 5-2 after the first inning.

In the top of the fourth, the Rams jumped ahead 6-5 with four runs with the big hit being belted by Gabe Goff. Goff smacked the ball to left field with the bases loaded, and the Rutland left fielder missed the ball as it rolled past him. Three runs scored giving the Rams a 6-5 lead. Rutland responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own to take the lead for good and win the game.

JOE wHITFIELDJoe Whitfield

Staff file photo

Photos: Joe Whitfield