Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team faced another out of region opponent as they welcomed the Falcons of Flowery Branch to Dragons Field. Due to weather earlier in the week, this would be the Dragons first game since a doubleheader against Gilmer last Friday. Prior to the game, several members of the American Legion provided the field with a brand new American flag.

 

New St. Andrews University (NC) commit Dalton Sipsy took the mound for the Dragons and looked good during his short work. Sipsy would only allow 1 walk and struck out a batter in his inning of work. Pickens grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the 1st as Dominic Stephens drove in Travis Huffman to send us to the 2nd, Dragons leading the Falcons, 1-0. Andrew Hasbrouck came in to pitch in the 2nd and pitched well. The Dragons added to their lead in the bottom of the frame as Will Lawrence would drive in Jace Franklin to make it 2-0 going to the 3rd.

Luke Smith came in for Pickens in the top of the 3rd and did well to limit a potential big inning for Flowery Branch. The Falcons scored a run in the top of the 3rd to cut the Dragon lead in half, 2-1, going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Pickens picked up their 3rd run as Joseph Gossett came in after a pitch got passed the catcher. We would head to the 4th, Dragons ahead of the Falcons, 3-1. Right fielder Jace Franklin came in to pitch the top of the 4th for the Dragons. Flowery Branch scored three runs in the top half of the frame to take a 4-3 lead going to the bottom of the inning. The Falcons were able to work around a lead off double by Zack Moore as he would be stranded at 3rd. We headed to the 5th, Flowery Branch leading Pickens 4-3.

 

Dylan Huffman came on in the 5th to pitch for the Dragons, trying to keep it a one-run game. D. Huffman did just that, striking out two to send us to the bottom of the 5th. In the bottom of the inning, Dominic Stephens cranked a home run with 2-out to tie things up at 4, going to the 6th. D. Huffman was able to get out of the top of the 6th without giving up a run. Pickens, went in order in the bottom of the frame, & we would go to the 7th, tied at 4. Brady Moore came in to pitch the top of the 7th and held the Falcons scoreless, sending us to the bottom of the 7th. With Stephens at 2nd, 2-outs, & 1 1-2 count on him, Franklin smacked a single down the left field line to bring home Stephens and the win for the Dragons, 5-4.

 

Dalton Sipsy: 1IP, 0H, 0R 1K, 1BB on 15 pitches

Andrew Hasbrouck: 1IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB on 14 pitches

Luke Smith: 1IP, 1H, 1BB, 1R on 16 pitches

Jace Franklin: 1IP, 3R on 25 pitches & 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 run scored, & 1 RBI

Dylan Huffman: 2IP, 0R, 3K on 28 pitches

Brady Moore: 1IP 0R, 1K on 20 pitches

Travis Huffman: 1-4 with a single & 1 run scored

Joseph Gossett: 2-4 with 2 singles & 1 run scored

Dominic Stephens: 1-1 with 1 HR, 2 walks, 2 runs scored, & 2 RBI

Wyatt Gooch: 2-3 with 2 singles

Zack Moore: 1-2 with 1 single & 1 walk

 

Pickens, is now 9-3 on the season & in 1st place in  6-AAAA at 3-0. The Dragons will get back into region play next week as they will start a series with Northwest Whitfield Tuesday at Dragons Field at 5:30.