Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team, hosted the Ridgeland Panthers, in game 2, of a critical 3-game set. On Tuesday, Ridgeland scored 9 runs in the bottom of the 6th, to take game 1, 11-2. Pickens, came in looking to even up the series. Prior to the game, PHS Baseball recognized the 1st responders around the county for all that they do. We also, saw Jake King hit a towering home run.

In the top of the 1st, Ridgeland got on the board with 3 runs to take an early lead. In the bottom of the frame, Pickens had runners at 1st & 2nd after Jace Franklin reached on an error, & Caswell Smith hit a 2-out single. The Panthers, were able to get out of it, as we’d head to the 2nd Ridgeland leading, 3-0. In the top half of the 2nd, the Panthers added to their lead after a 2-run home run, to take a 5-0 lead over the Dragons. Pickens, went in order in the bottom of the 2nd. Ridgeland took a 5-0 lead into the 3rd.

 

Dragons starter, Dylan Huffman, needed 7 pitches in the top of the 3rd, to bring Pickens up to bat, looking to cut into the Panther lead. Cut into the lead is what they would do as Joseph Gossett would get a 2-out single, & would come all the way around to score on an RBI double by Franklin. Franklin, would then come in to score after Smith reached on an error, to make it 5-2 Ridgeland, heading to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, the Panthers swung momentum right back to their side as they would plate 5 runs, to stretch their lead out to 10-2. In the bottom of the frame, Will Lawrence beat out an infield hit, Huffman drew a walk, Gossett then drew a walk to load the bases with 2 out. Franklin would then walk to score Lawrence. Smith would follow, getting in on the walk-a-thon as Huffman would come in to score. Two runs would be all the Dragons would be able to get as they left the bases loaded, now trailing, 10-4.

 

In the top of the 5th, the Panthers again pulled away from Pickens as they would score 4 runs in the top half of the inning to take a 14-4 lead. Ridgeland was able to get the win in 5 innings, 14-4.

 

Stats:

Joseph Gossett: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored

Jace Franklin: 1-2 with a double, a walk, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored

Caswell Smith: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 RBI

Will Lawrence: 1-2 with a single, 1 HBP, & 1 run scored

Dylan Huffman: 1 walk, & 1 run scored

 

The Dragons, will look to grab game 3 this afternoon as they will head to Rossville to take on the Panthers in the series finale. First pitch is at 5:55.