Dragons’ Season Comes To An End In State Tournament

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

This past Friday, the PHS Dragons baseball team traveled down to Atlanta to take on the #3 seed out of region 6-AAAA, the St. Pius Golden Lions in the first round of the 4A State Tournament. This was a 3-game series meaning the team to first win two games, advanced to the next round.

 

The Dragons were the away team in game 1 and were looking to jump out early on the Golden Lions. Travis Huffman led things off with a double to left center on the first pitch he saw, firing up the Pickens dugout. Tyler Garner then cranked out a two-run bomb bringing the Dragon faithful to their feet as Pickens took a 2-0 lead. Not to be outdone, Dalton Presley found a pitch to his liking and sent it over the left center fence to make it 3-0 after one half inning. St. Pius got a run in the bottom of the frame, and after 1, the Dragons held a 3-1 lead.

 

Both pitchers were able to get out of jams and settle down for the most part to the 5th inning. The Golden Lions were able to plate 4 in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, 5-3. St. Pius then added on to that lead in the bottom of the 6th with 3 runs to stretch it out to 8-3 going to the 7th. The Dragons tried to get a rally going after a hit by pitch, a single, & an RBI single from Dylan Huffman, but it would not be enough as the Golden Lions took game 1, 8-4.

 

Travis Huffman went 6 innings giving up 6 ER, & striking out 5 on 99 pitches & went 1-3 with a double, & 1 run scored

Walker Lawrence went 1-3 with a single

Tyler Garner went 1-3 with a home run, 2 RBI, & a run scored

Dalton Presley went 1-2 with a home run, 1 RBI, & a run scored

Wyatt Gooch went 1-3 with a single

Dylan Huffman went 1-3 with a single, & 1 RBI

Caleb Brooks went 1-3 with a single

Dillon Champion scored a run

 

For game 2, the Dragons were the home team and West Ga commit Tyler Garner would be given the ball to pitch for Pickens. Garner got off to a good start, retiring the Golden Lions on 16 pitches. For St. Pius,  Ga Tech commit Garrett Gooden took to the mound and proved to be as tough as advertised. In the top of the 2nd, the Golden Lions struck first with a two-run home run to go up 2-0. St. Pius added to that lead with 3 in the 3rd, to make it 5-0.

 

The Golden Lions stretched out the lead with three in the 5th to make it 8-0. St. Pius went on to get the win 8-0, and taking the series in the process, 2-0. The Dragons just could not get anything going only drawing two walks and getting a lone hit from Garner in game 2.

 

Pickens finishes the season at 16-11, and with a 2nd straight state tournament appearance. While the Dragons are losing a handful of seniors, they will be returning a big chunk of core guys with a lot of varsity experience and adding young kids that had success during the JV season for next season.

Dragons Celebrate Senior Night With Win

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Yesterday, the PHS Dragons baseball team hosted the Raiders of Southeast Whitfield in the final regular season game of the season. Earlier in the season, the Raiders bested the Dragons in Dalton, with Pickens looking to avenge that loss. Prior to the game, the bat boy for the Dragons and the all-time home run leader for Pickens Jake King added to his record with an inside the park homer.

 

Senior Tyler Garner took to the hill for the Dragons in the final game before the state tournament. The Raiders had a mini threat brewing in the top of the 1st, but Garner and the Dragon defense were able to get out of it, sending us to the bottom of the opening frame. Travis Huffman led the inning off for Pickens with a triple to left center, and was brought in on a sac RBI by Walker Lawrence to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead going to the 2nd. Garner struck out two in the top of the 2nd, and Pickens went in order to send us to the 3rd with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0.

 

Southeast Whitfield plated a run in the top of the 3rd to tie things up at 1 a piece. The tie would not last long however as RBI hits from Joseph Gossett, Lawrence, & Garner gave the Dragons a 4-1 lead going to the 4th. The Raiders threatened in the top of the 7th with runners at 2nd and 3rd, but Dylan Huffman was able to work around it and close things out for the Dragons giving Pickens a 4-1 win on Senior Night.

 

After the ball game, seniors (as pictured above), Tyler Garner, Clayton Wilson, Walker Lawrence, Dillon Champion, & Caleb Brooks were recognized for their contributions to the program and to PHS Athletics.

 

Tyler Garner went 6 & 1/3rd innings giving up 1 run on 6 hits, walking 3, & striking out 9 on 117 pitches & had 1 RBI

Dylan Huffman went 2/3rd’s innings giving up no hits and no runs on 14 pitches

Travis Huffman went 1-2 with a triple and a run scored

Walker Lawrence went 1-2 with a single, 2 RBI, & a run scored

Caleb Brooks went 2-3 with a double, a single, and a run scored

Joseph Gossett went 2-2 with a single, a double, 1 RBI, & a run scored

 

The first round opponent for the 4A state baseball tournament has yet to be determined as of now for the Dragons. What is for sure is that it will either be against Redan or St. Pius on Friday, the 29th. Times and location will be determined later.

 

Dragons Grab 3rd Place With Sweep Of Ridgeland

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Yesterday, the PHS Dragons baseball team hosted the Ridgeland Panthers at Dragons Field in the most important game of the season to date. Both teams came in tied for third in the 7-AAAA region standings, and the winner would have the inside track to the 3 seed in the upcoming 4A state tournament.

 

Travis Huffman got the call to start for the Dragons in this crucial game. Ridgeland was able to get on the board first in the top of the 1st scoring two runs. Pickens wasted little time getting their bats going as the Dragons got a pair of 2 RBI doubles from Dalton Presley & Dylan Huffman, plus RBI hits from Wyatt Gooch & Joseph Gossett to take a 6-2 lead going to the 2nd. In the top of the 2nd, the Panthers cut the Pickens lead in half making it 6-3. The Dragons got that run back when Walker Lawrence scored after drawing a walk, stealing 2nd, then advancing home on two fielding errors to make it 7-3 going to the 3rd.

 

In the 5th, Ridgeland cut even more into the Dragons lead as they were able to plate two runs, sending us to the bottom of the frame and Pickens clinging to a 7-5 lead. A wild pitch led to a Dragons run to stretch the lead to 8-5 going to the 6th. In the 6th, Pickens got an RBI from Presley, Gooch, Dillon Champion, & D. Huffman to break the lead open to 12-5. Tyler Garner came in and closed things out in the top of the 7th to give the Dragons a 12-5 win and control of 3rd place.

 

Travis Huffman went 6 innings giving up 3 ER on 6 hits, and striking out 6 on 98 pitches & went 2-4 at the plate

Walker Lawrence drew a walk and scored two runs

Tyler Garner went 2-4 and scored two runs & went 1 inning giving up 1 hit and struck out 1 on 13 pitches

Dominic Stephens went 1-4

Dalton Presley went 2-3 with a double, a triple, a walk, & 3 RBI

Wyatt Gooch went 2-4 with a single, a double, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored

Dillon Champion went 2-3 with a double, a single, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored

Dylan Huffman went 2-3 with a double, a single, 3 RBI, & a run scored

Joseph Gossett went 2-3 with a double, a single, & 1 RBI

Caleb Brooks scored 2 runs

With the win, Pickens is now 15-9 on the season and 8-5 in 7-AAAA play. There will be one more home game this regular season and it will take place on Friday as the Dragons welcome the Raiders of Southeast Whitfield to Dragons Field. If the game is postponed, the two teams will play on Saturday.

 

Late Inning Magic Propel Dragons Past Cartersville

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Last night, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted one of the highly rated teams in the state, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes, in a big early region match up. The Canes came into the ball game at 6-6 and 2-0 in region play, while the Dragons came in with a record of 9-5 & 2-1 in region.

 

Travis Huffman got the start for the Dragons and turned in an amazing performance. In the top of the 1st, Cartersville was able to take the lead early as three hits, and a couple passed balls led to 2 runs for the Canes. Pickens, had it’s chance in the bottom of the frame as they were able to get two runners on with two out, but Cartersville was able to get out of that jam, and send us to the 2nd, with the Canes up, 2-0. T. Huffman was able to settle down in the 2nd, and get Cartersville in order to send us to the bottom of the 2nd.

 

In what seemed to be a theme throughout the game, the Dragons had a big chance in the bottom of the 2nd with the bases loaded, but were unable to capitalize as the Canes escaped the threat. T. Huffman again showed great stuff in the 3rd, as he K’d two Canes on the way to a 9 pitch inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Pickens had another chance to cut into the 2-0 Cartersville lead, but runners were left at 1st & 3rd, sending us to the 4th. Both teams were shut down quietly in the 4th, as both pitchers were throwing great games.

 

In the 5th, Cartersville left a runner at 2nd, as T. Huffman was able to work around it. After drawing two walks in the bottom of the inning, the Dragons left runners at 1st & 2nd, sending us to the 6th, with the Canes still leading, 2-0. Both teams were unable to get anything going in the 6th, as we’d head to the final inning, Cartersville maintaining it’s lead, 2-0. T. Huffman k’d two in the top of the 7th, sending us to the bottom of the 7th, Dragons down to their final three outs, and trailing 2-0.

 

After Tyler Garner & Dalton Presley were able to get on, they were replaced by courtesy runners, Dylan Huffman, & Caleb Brooks. Walker Lawrence then got on with a single to load the bases. Zack Moore then brought in D. Huffman with a sac fly to make it 2-1 Cartersville. As Brooks was attempting a steal to 3rd, the throw over to 3rd sailed over the 3rd baseman’s head and Brooks came home to tie things up at 2. Dillon Champion & Joseph Gossett drew walks to load the bases, still with one out. With a 1-1 count to Wyatt Gooch, a wild pitch was sent to the backstop and Lawrence came in to give the Dragons a 3-2 win.

 

Travis Huffman went the distance giving up 2 runs on just 3 hits and striking out 10 on 98 pitches

Zack Moore had 1 RBI

Dylan Huffman scored 1 run

Caleb Brooks scored 1 run

Walker Lawrence went 1-3 with a run scored

This is a big win for Pickens. After leaving a total of 11 runners on base, they found a way to score when it mattered. With the win, the Dragons are now 10-5 on the season & 3-1 in region play. Pickens will host a pair of region games next week, starting with Northwest Whitfield on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55.

Dragons Get The Week Sweep Over Murray Co.

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Indians of Murray Co. for a non-region ball game. Pickens came into the ball game having defeated the Indians over at Murray on Tuesday 13-1, and were looking to get the week sweep inside their park.

 

Dalton Sipsy started for the Dragons yesterday and got 2 K’s to begin the game, but the Indians were able to bring a run in and lead things 1-0 going to the bottom of the frame. A lead off triple by Travis Huffman sparked a four run inning for Pickens. Wyatt Gooch brought in 2 with an RBI double & Sipsy & Gooch later came in to score. Sipsy kept the Indians quiet in the 2nd as he struckout the side to send us to the bottom half of the inning.

 

In the 2nd, the Dragons as T. Huffman & Dillon Champion drove in runs to make it 6-1 going to the 3rd. After striking out the 1st batter he faced in the 3rd, Sipsy was relieved by Walker Lawrence who worked around a bloop hit to get the final two outs of the inning to bring the Dragons back up to the plate. Pickens scored 5 runs in the 3rd thanks an RBI from Slade Hillhouse, 2 RBI from Zack Moore, & an RBI from Joseph Gossett (one run was brought in on an error), to give the Dragons an 11-1 lead going to the 4th.

 

Josh Holbert relieved Lawrence in the 4th and also worked around a hit to finish off the inning to send us to the bottom of the 4th. The inning began with the 4th place hitter Dominic Stephens, and the game ended with Stephens as the Dragons again brought in 5 runs making it 16-1 after Stephens’ RBI hit and envoking the 15 run rule after 4 innings. Pickens took this one, 16-1. Pickens outscored Murray Co. during the week 26-2 in the two wins.

 

The Dragons got great pitching all game long and showed patience at the plate having only 8 hits to go along with their 16 runs.

Dalton Sipsy went 2 & 1/3rd innings giving up just 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, & striking out 6 on 47 pitches & drew a walk and scored a run

Walker Lawrence went 1 & 1/3rd innings giving up one hit, & striking out 1 on 13 pitches

Travis Huffman went 2-4 with a triple, a single, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored

Dillon Champion had an RBI and a run scored while Caleb brooks drew a walk and brought in 1 run

Dominic Stephens went 2-4 with 2 singles, an RBI, & 2 runs scored

Wyatt Gooch went 1-1 with a double, 2 RBI, & a run scored & Tyler Garner went 1-1 with a double and a run scored

Dalton Presley went 1-2 with a single & a run scored

Slade Hillhouse brought in 1 run and scored 2

Zack Moore went 1-2 with a double, 2 RBI, & a run scored & Dylan Huffman went 1-1 with a single & a run scored

Joseph Gossett drew two walks, scored 2 runs, & drove in a run on a sacrifice fly

 

The Dragons are now 5-4 on the season and will look to continue their winning ways when they host Towns Co. on Monday as part of a make up game. First pitch scheduled for 4:30

Dragons Fall To Red Raiders In Season Opener

Team FYN Sports

Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball season officially got underway with a pair of out-of-region games. The Madison County Red Raiders were the first opponent of the day for Pickens as they looked to start their season off on the right foot.

 

West GA Baseball commit Tyler Garner took the mound for the Dragons in game one. Madison Co. struck first in the 1st inning after getting a lead off triple to go up 1-0 heading to the bottom half of the 1st. The Dragons were poised to answer with the bases loaded, but could not bring in any runs and we’d go to the 2nd with the Red Raiders ahead, 1-0.

 

In the 2nd, Madison Co. tacked on another run to their lead to make it 2-0 going to the bottom of the frame. Pickens went quietly in the 2nd, and we went to the 3rd, Red Raiders up, 2-0. Madsion Co. yet again added another run in the top half of the 3rd to make things 3-0 in their favor. The Dragons bats finally came alive in the bottom of the inning as they struck for four runs to take a 4-3 lead going to the 4th.

 

The lead did not last long however as the Red Raiders tied things up with a solo shot. Madison Co. added another run in the inning to reclaim the lead, 5-4. The Red Raiders added two more runs, and held off Pickens to get their 2nd win on the young season, 7-4. The Dragons had their chances in this one having the lead off man on in 5 of 7 innings and leaving 8 men on base.

 

Dillon Champion went 2-3 with a double, a single, & 2 RBI

Slade Hillhouse & Dominic Stephens had 1 RBI each

Zach Moore went 1-2 with 2 walks & 1 run scored

 

JV Dragons Baseball Get Crazy Win Over Rebels JV

Dragon's Corner, Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

Yesterday afternoon, the JV Dragons baseball team hosted the JV Rebels of Fannin at Dragons Field. Coming into the game, the JV Dragons had an unblemished record of 5-0 looking to improve to 6-0. (more…)

Dragons Burned in First Few Games

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Pickens High School Dragons baseball team has not started the season scorching opponents, falling in four of the first five games, with the lone win coming in a 6-2 Dragons dismantling of Jackson High School. (more…)

Bears Beat Dragons

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Pickens High School Dragons wrestling team traveled to Cambridge High School to take on the Bears in Dual match. The Bears brought fire to the Dragons. Clearly not hibernating, the bears pulled out a 66-15 win over the visiting Dragons. (more…)

Dragons Wrestling Update

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Pickens High School Dragons wrestling team has caught fire, with a multitude of wrestlers winning matches as preparations for both the Area and State Traditional Tournaments take place across the state. (more…)

Dragons Drop Four Place winners at Creekview Invitational

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Pickens High School Dragons wrestling team traveled to Canton to take part in the Creekview Invitational. The Dragons took seven wrestlers, with four placing: Jesse Stevens, Trevor Dean, Dillon Champion, and Elliot Ghallager. (more…)

Dragons Scorched at Home Tri Meet

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Pickens High School Dragons wrestling team hosted a Tri-Meet, featuring dual matches with Gainesville and Cartersville. The Dragons ended up 0-2 on the day, falling to Gainesville 54-21, and Cartersville 72-12. Cartersville swept the day beating both Gainesville and the host team. (more…)

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