Worth County baseball tops Baconton Charter 3-1

SYLVESTER — In a battle between two of the best baseball teams in southwest Georgia, Worth County edged Baconton Charter 3-1 Thursday afternoon in Sylvester. The loss is only the second all year for the Baconton Blazers who are now 17-2 on the season and own a perfect 12-0 record in Region 1-A. The win improves Worth’s record to 16-2 and the Rams are undefeated in their region at 3-0.

The Blazers took an early lead in the top of the first when Grant Smithwick singled to knock in a run. But that was all the Blazers could get across the plate against the pitching of the Worth County Rams. The Rams responded with three runs in the bottom of the second. That was all of the scoring as both teams were strong on the mound.

Worth County’s Griffin Melton and Jack Fletcher combined their efforts on the mound for the Rams’ win. Melton pitched four and one-third innings, giving up two hits and one run with two strikeouts to earn the win. Fletcher pitched the final two and two-thirds innings to get the save.

Baconton Charter’s Stone Pinson took the loss on the mound for the Blazers. The Rams picked up seven hits against the Blazer senior right-hander. He allowed three runs and struck out five.

Bailey Coker, Jeremiah Reddell, and Fletcher each had two hits against the Blazers. Coker batted in two of the Ram runs and Reddell knocked in the third.

The Rams are scheduled to play Turner County Friday, weather permitting and travel to Atkinson County on Monday. They will then have three region games against Monroe next week and three region games against Cook County the following week to close the season.

The Blazers are scheduled to play Seminole County in Donalsonville Tuesday and then be at home against Terrell County Wednesday. Thursday the Blazers will travel to Schley County for a doubleheader.