Walk-off walk caps Devils’ 10-0 win over Worth

Published 10:00 pm Monday, March 7, 2022

TIFTON – Tift County secured its ninth win of the 2022 season Monday night, but did so in a new way: the run rule. The Blue Devils scored eight runs in the 5th inning to dispatch Worth County, 10-0.

Head coach Greg Williams said his team hit the ball hard against the Rams. There were three doubles, hit deep to every part of the ballpark.

Tift is now 9-1 for the year, getting back to their winning ways after they won eight straight to start the year. It was their best beginning since 9-0 in 2014, which ultimately translated to a 24-6-1 campaign.

Thirteen men went to the plate in the decisive 5th, which began with a 2-0 score.

It didn’t take long to get the party started, with John Dorman earning a walk. Two batters later, it was 3-0 when Cody Williamson clobbered a pitch to deep left for an RBI double.

Williamson watched as Connor VanSumeren walked, then moved to third when Cole Smith did the same. That loaded the bags for Brady Moretz, who picked up a pair of RBIs on a double to deep left. It was now 5-0.

The inning was just getting started.

Luke Ellerbee and John Davis reached for a full set of bases, Ellerbee picking up an RBI. Tyler Holmes hit the third double of the inning, just missing a home run to right. Two runs again scored.

Up for the second time in the 5th, Dorman walked. Worth almost escaped the inning at this point with a strikeout, but Williamson and VanSumeren each walked with the bases loaded for the shortened victory.

Until the 5th inning explosion the contest had been, strangely enough, a pitching duel with Ole Miss commit Owen Hancock battling Dorman on the mound.

Tift loaded the bases in the 2nd on a trio of walks, but Hancock shut down the threat with a strikeout.

“We need to see that type of stuff,” said Williams of scheduling Worth and getting to play Hancock.

Dorman grooved through his three frames, fanning four while allowing two baserunners. Worth only stranded two, however, as catcher Bailey Booth fired to Williamson at first to pick off a wandering runner in the 3rd.

The Devils finally broke through in the bottom half of the 3rd, sending eight to the plate.

The familiar culprit, bases on balls, played a big hand, but Holmes got the rally started with an infield single. Landon Parrish and Williamson earned free passes, then VanSumeren and Lino Acosta earned walks to drive in two runs.

Dorman gave way for Moretz in the 4th and the young hurler had himself quite an experience.

The combo of Cole Smith, Homes and Williamson ended the 4th on a double play. In the 5th, Moretz surrendered a single, then two wild pitches to put Cade Potts at third base with no outs.

Moretz dug down and proceeded to strike out the next three hitters in a row, two of them swinging. The Rams stranded their man at third.

“He’s a competitor,” said Williams. “We trust him.” Moretz’s massive double also impressed Williams. “That’s what he’s capable of,” he said.

Holmes finished the night with two hits. He, Williamson, VanSumeren and Moretz drove in two runs each.

Tift will host Bacon County Tuesday afternoon for Teacher Appreciation Night, weather permitting.