A Very Good Friday For The Dragons, Take Series From Ridgeland
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 15, 2017
Yesterday, on a Good Friday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed the Ridgeland Panthers to Dragons Field for the final game of their three game set. After the Dragons took game 1 on Tuesday, the Panthers came back and snagged game 2 at their place on Thursday. Prior to the ball game, PHS recognized & honored women & families affected by, and going through breast cancer.
Senior Dalton Sipsy started for the Dragons and what a game it turned out to be a part of. Ridgeland struck first in the top of the 1st, as they were able to connect for a three-run home run to take a 3-0 lead going to the bottom of the frame. Pickens cut into that lead when Wyatt Gooch knocked in Travis Huffman on a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1 Panthers going to the 2nd. Ridgeland added to their lead by driving in two runs to make it 5-1 going to the bottom of the 2nd. Pickens would lead a runner stranded at first after a 1-out walk & we headed to the 3rd, Panthers leading Pickens, 5-1.
The Panthers again added a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd to increase their lead over the Dragons to 7-1 going to the bottom of the inning. sensing the urgency, the bats for Pickens started to get going in the bottom half of the 3rd as 3 runs would come to score on 5 hits including RBI hits from Jace Franklin, Dominic Stephens, & Joseph Gossett, to cut the Ridgeland lead down to 7-4 going to the 4th. Sipsy added his 3rd & 4th strike out of the game in the top of the 4th and kept the deficit at 7-4 going to the bottom portion of the 4th. The Dragons chipped at the Ridgeland lead even more when Franklin drove in T. Huffman with an RBI double to make it 7-5 Panthers going to the 5th.
The 5th was the final inning for Sipsy and again he did a good job of not giving Ridgeland anything and keeping the Panther lead at two and getting the suddenly hot bats of Pickens back up. A lead off double by Dalton Presley, would hurt the Panthers as Zack Moore drove in Andrew Hasbrouck, who was courtesy running for Presley. Joseph Gossett would eventually come around to score as well after he followed up Presley’s double with a single, advanced to 3rd after multiple passed balls, & came in to score after Dylan Huffman reached 1st base on an errant throw, to tie things up at 7 going to the 6th. Hasbrouck came in to pitch the top of the 6th for the Dragons & worked around two hit batsman to get out of the inning with no damage done. After leading off the bottom of the 6th with a single, and advancing to 3rd on miscommunication by the pitcher & catcher from Ridgeland, T. Huffman came in to score the go ahead run on a Stephens sacrifice fly. The Dragons had their 1st lead of the game at 8-7, going to the 7th.
Pickens called on Stephens to finish the game out and finish it out he did. Stephens would strike out the side in the top of the 7th to seal a crazy, come from behind 8-7 win over Panthers.
Dalton Sipsy: 5IP, 4H, 7R, 4ER, 5K on 105 pitches
Andrew Hasbrouck: 1IP, 0H, 0R on 14 pitches & 1 run scored
Dominic Stephens: 1IP, 0H, 0R, 3K on 21 pitches & 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Travis Huffman: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 walk, & 4 runs scored
Jace Franklin: 2-4 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Wyatt Gooch: 1 RBI
Dalton Presley: 1-3 with 1 double
Joseph Gossett: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Zack Moore: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, & 1 RBI
Pickens will now turn their attention to Southeast Whitfield as they finish up the regular season with a three game set with the Raiders. As it stands now, the Dragons are in 3rd place in 6-AAAA with a 9-6 mark & have a 15-9 overall record. Senior Night will be this coming Tuesday at Dragons Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Clutch Pitching, 3rd Inning Key In Dragons Win Over Heritage
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 5, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Generals of Heritage in game one of a crucial three-game series. Coming into the ball game, Pickens was 12-6 overall, & 6-3 in 6-AAAA, good for 3rd. Heritage, came in ranked as high as 3rd in some 4-A polls & were 15-5 overall & 7-2 in 6-AAAA, good for 2nd.
Senior Travis Huffman got the call to start the series opener & pitched a beautiful game. T. Huffman worked around a single to strike out two in the top of the 1st to send us to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, a two-out single was all the Dragons would manage as we headed to the 2nd, tied at 0. Pickens got out of the top of the 2nd without any damage done and had a real opportune chance to get something going in the bottom of the inning, but would leave them loaded as we’d go to the 3rd, still scoreless.
In the top of the 3rd, T. Huffman continued his great outing adding two more strikeouts to his total, sending us to the bottom half of the inning. Four straight hits, including an RBI from Wyatt Gooch & Zack Moore gave the Dragons a 2-0 lead over Heritage going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, the Generals cut the Dragon lead in half with a solo home run, making it 2-1. The Dragons went in order in the bottom of the frame, sending us to the 5th.
T. Huffman ended the Heritage 5th with a K to bring his total to 5 & keeping Pickens ahead 2-1 as we headed to the bottom of the inning. The Generals again were able to sit the Dragons down in order in the bottom of the 5th to send us to the 6th. The Generals again were shut down in the top of the 6th as Pickens kept a hold of the slim 2-1 lead. The Dragons had a chance to stretch the lead to two, but was unable to as we headed to the 7th inning.
In the top of the 7th, Heritage had the bases loaded with two outs, looking to either tie it, or take their first lead of the ball game. Neither would happen as T. Huffman got the batter to pop up and the Dragons were able to hang on and get a huge win over the Generals, 2-1.
Travis Huffman: 7IP, 1R, 1ER, 7H, 6K on 96 pitches
Dalton Presley: 2-3 with 2 singles
Dominic Stephens: 1-3 with a single & 1 run scored
Wyatt Gooch: 1-3 with 1 double & 1 RBI
Zack Moore: 1-2 with 1 walk, 1 single, & 1 RBI
Brady Moore: 1 run scored
Pickens & Heritage now find themselves tied for 2nd in 6-AAAA with 7-3 records. These two teams will meet again on Thursday at Heritage for the 2nd game of the series. The series finale will be Friday at Dragons Field. Both games have a start time of 5:30 p.m.
Dragons Open Series Against Ridgeland With Win
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 12, 2017
On Tuesday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team began a crucial series with the Panthers of Ridgeland. After dropping their previous series to Heritage 2-1, Pickens looked to keep pace and stay in 3rd place in the region as Gilmer & Ridgeland were right behind them in the standings.
In the top of the 1st, starting pitcher for the Dragons Travis Huffman sat the Panthers down on 13 pitches to send us to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the starter for Ridgeland was equally as impressive as the Dragons went in order to send us to the 2nd, still scoreless. In the top of the 2nd, the Panthers drew first blood as they plated two runs on just one hit, to take a 2-0 lead over the Dragons going to the bottom of the 2nd. That lead for Ridgeland would not last long as Pickens answered with four runs on two hits to take the lead, 4-2 going to the 3rd.
It was a less stressful top of the 3rd for T. Huffman as he needed 12 pitches to send us to the bottom half of the 3rd. The Dragons had an opportunity in the bottom of the frame to add more to their lead, but left runners stranded on 1st & 2nd to send us to the 4th, Pickens still leading the Panthers, 4-2. Ridgeland tried to get something going in the top of the 4th, but the Dragons were able to get out of it without any damage done. Pickens had a tough bottom half of the inning as they went in order to send us to the 5th, Dragons still in front, 4-2.
T. Huffman needed 11 pitches, and added his 3rd strikeout of the game in the top of the 5th to bring the offense for Pickens up. A 1-out walk would prove to backfire for the Panthers as Zack Moore drove in Dominic Stephens with an RBI single to stretch the lead for the Dragons over Ridgeland to 5-2. Z. Moore would then come in as Dylan Huffman reached 1st base after a passed ball following a strikeout to make it 6-2 Dragons, going to the 6th. Ridgeland had another scoring threat in the top of the 6th, but T. Huffman shut it down with the 2nd of his two strikeouts in the inning to keep the lead at 6-2 in the Dragons favor. Brady Moore led the bottom of the 6th off with a double, & was driven in by Joseph Gossett to make it 7-2 Pickens, going to the 7th.
T. Huffman came out in the top of the 7th to finish what he started and finish is what he did. T. Huffman closed the game out with his 6th strikeout to give the Dragons the win in the series opener, 7-2.
Travis Huffman: 7IP, 4H, 2R, 6K on 112 pitches & 1-4 with 1 single & 1 RBI
Joseph Gossett: 1-4 with a single & 2 RBI
Dominic Stephens: 1 walk & 1 run scored
Dalton Presley: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, & 1 run scored
Zack Moore: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Dylan Huffman: 1 walk & 1 run scored
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with a double, & 1 run scored
Brady Moore: 1-2 with a double, 1 walk, & 1 run scored
With the win, the Dragons are now 14-8 overall and 8-5 in 6-AAAA play. Pickens & Ridgeland will meet up again on Thursday at Ridgeland. First Pitch set for 5:55. The series finale will be held back in Jasper at PCMS. First pitch set for 5:30 for that one.
Dragons Find Good Luck On St. Patrick’s Day Against Flowery Branch
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 18, 2017
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.
Dragons Fall In Series Finale With Heritage, Host Ridgeland Next Week
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 8, 2017
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Generals of Heritage in the 3rd & final game of a big time series. After taking the 1st game on Tuesday, Heritage won the 2nd game on Thursday, meaning the winner of this one, would take 2nd place in the region, & the series.
Junior Dylan Huffman got the call to start for the Dragons & had to work out of trouble early. The Generals plated one run in the top of the first, & threatened to score more, but D. Huffman & the Dragons defense did a good job of just limiting it to one run. For Heritage, they sent out their highly touted pitcher, Junior Cole Wilcox, who is committed to UGA, & an Under Armor All-American Game invitee (game is played at Wrigley Field in Chicago). Pickens could not get anything going in the bottom of the frame and we headed to the 2nd, Generals leading the Dragons, 1-0. D. Huffman was able to again settle down after early trouble and get out of the top of the 2nd without any damage done. Pickens had a chance in the bottom of the 2nd to tie things up, but were unable to bring in the runner from 2nd, to send us to the 3rd, Heritage still in front, 1-0.
After the Generals added to their lead, Dylan Huffman would be relieved by Andrew Hasbrouck in the top of the 3rd with two outs in the frame. Hasbrouck got the Dragons out of the inning, but not before Heritage tacked on 5 more runs to take a 6-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Brady Moore started it off with a single, and would be driven in by Joseph Gossett, to cut the General lead to 6-1, going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, Heritage went down quietly as Hasbrouck needed ten pitches to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Pickens again had a runner in scoring position, but he was unable to score and we would go to the 5th, Generals leading the Dragons, 6-1.
Isaiah Payne came on in relief of Hasbrouck in the top of the 5th. Payne was able to end the top of the 5th with a strikeout, but not before Heritage would plate 3 more runs to increase their lead over Pickens to, 9-1 going to the bottom of the 5th. The Generals were able to sit the Dragons in order in the bottom of the 5th to send us to the 6th, Heritage leading, 9-1. Payne was able to get the Dragons out of the top of the 6th without any damage done and ended the half inning with a strikeout just like the 5th. A one-out single by Dalton Presley would be all that the Dragons could muster in the bottom of the 6th. We headed to the 7th, Generals still in front, 9-1.
In the top of the 7th, Dominic Stephens took over for Payne and pitched very well in his lone inning of work. Stephens struck out two General batters and got three outs on 12 pitches to send us to the bottom of the 7th. Heritage was able to close it out, and get the win, 9-1.
Joseph Gossett: 1 RBI
Dalton Presley: 1-3 with 1 single
Dominic Stephens: 1-3 with 1 single
Brady Moore: 1-2 with 1 single & 1 run scored
Pickens will be back home next Tuesday as they begin a series with the Ridgeland Panthers. The Dragons are currently 13-8 overall and in 3rd in 6-AAAA at 7-5. The Panthers currently occupy the 5th spot in the region at 4-7. Pickens will need to continue to win to secure the 3rd seed out of 6-AAAA as the season starts winding down. You can catch the 1st game of this series Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 at Dragons Field at PCMS.
Strong Pitching, Good Hitting Helps Dragons Take Doubleheader From LaFayette
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 30, 2017
Yesterday, due to weather conditions from the storms this week, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the LaFayette Ramblers in a 6-AAAA doubleheader. These games were originally scheduled for Friday & these two teams were scheduled to play a single game at LaFayette on Tuesday. Due to storms, those games were moved around. After a tough series against Northwest Whitfield last week, Pickens found themselves in a must win situation to keep pace in the region race as they were ahead of the Ramblers by 1 game in the standings coming into yesterday.
Senior Southern Union commit Travis Huffman got the start for the Dragons in game 1 & he pitched very well. He held the Ramblers to one hit, & collected a strikeout in the top of the 1st to send us to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons went in order in the bottom of the inning to send us to the 2nd, tied at 0. T. Huffman had a good 2nd inning as he only needed 10 pitches to get out of it. Pickens would strike first in this one as Dominic Stephens would reach on an error, then come in to score after a single by Wyatt Gooch to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead going to the 3rd.
In the top of the 3rd, T. Huffman added to his strikeout total by punching out two more Ramblers to send us to the bottom of the 3rd. The Dragons had a chance to add to their lead in the bottom of the frame, but left two stranded and we headed to the 4th, Pickens leading LaFayette, 1-0. The Dragons were able to get out of a mini jam in the top of the 4th to keep hold of their 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 4th, Jace Franklin gave T.Huffman & Pickens a little cushion as he hit a 2-RBI single, driving in Gooch & Zack Moore. Franklin later came in on a sacrifice fly from T. Huffman, making it 4-0 Dragons going to the 5th.
The top of the 5th saw a 9-pitch inning from T. Huffman and the Pickens offense got right back to work in the bottom of the inning. Franklin added a 3rd RBI to his day as he drove in Stephens on a sacrifice fly. Z. Moore came in to score after Will Lawrence beat out a throw to 1st to make it 6-0 going to the 6th. The Dragons were able to get out of the top of the 6th without any damage done & added to their lead again in the bottom half of the inning after a 2-run home run by Stephens, making it 8-0 going to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, T. Huffman needed only 4 pitches to close out the complete game 1-hit shutout as the Dragons took game 1 over LaFayette, 8-0.
Travis Huffman: 7IP, 1H, 0R, 6K on 84 pitches, & 1 RBI
Joseph Gossett: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Dominic Stephens: 1-3 with a home run, 3 runs scored, & 2 RBI
Wyatt Gooch: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, & 1 run scored
Zack Moore: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, & 2 runs scored
Jace Franklin: 1-2 with 1 single, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
Game 2
For game 2, the Dragons sent out Senior St. Andrews University commit Dalton Sipsy to start. In the top of the 1st, Sipsy got off to a strong start, striking out two to send us to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons would get 4 straight hits and score 3 runs to take a 3-0 lead over the Ramblers going to the top of the 2nd. Sipsy again collected two strikeouts in the half inning and got himself & the Dragons out of a jam to keep the 3-0 lead in tact. In the bottom of the 2nd, Pickens continued it’s hot hitting scoring 6 runs on 5 hits, including a 2-run, inside the park home run from Joseph Gossett. Heading to the 3rd, the Dragons led LaFayette 9-0.
The top of the 3rd saw Sipsy continue his strong start and gather yet another strikeout, bringing his total to 5 after 3 innings. After a lead off double by Travis Huffman in the bottom of the 3rd, the Dragons were unable to bring him in as he was stranded at 3rd. Pickens still held a 9-0 lead over the Ramblers going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, LaFayette would try to get something going, but Sipsy & the Dragons were able to get out of trouble as the inning would come to an end on Sipsy’s 6th K of the game. In the bottom of the 4th, Brady Moore drove Jace Franklin to make it 10-0 Dragons going to the 5th.
In the top of the 5th, with the 10 run rule in effect, Sipsy was able to end the ball game with his 7th K of the game to give the Dragons the sweep of the doubleheader, & the series win over LaFayette, 10-0.
Dalton Sipsy: 5IP, 1H, 0R, 7K on 89 pitches
Travis Huffman: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Joseph Gossett: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 home run, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Dominic Stephens: 2-3 with 2 singles & 2 runs scored
Wyatt Gooch: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, & 2 runs scored
Zack Moore: Zack Moore: 1-3 with 1 single & 1 RBI
Jace Franklin: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, & 1 run scored
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with 1 single, & 1 run scored
Colby James: 1-3 with 1 double
Brady Moore: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
The series finale will be played at LaFayette tomorrow as the Dragons will look to get the sweep over the Ramblers. Pickens finds themselves 11-6 overall & 5-3 in region play.
Dragons Improve To 5-3, Defeat 7-A Newton
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 6, 2017
After winning their morning matinee against Murray County, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team took on the Newton Rams this past Saturday afternoon. Newton, is out of 7-A and came into the game 7-3 after defeating Murray County 5-3 in their first game of the day.
For the Dragons, Dalton Sipsy took to the mound for game 2 of the day, and pitched very effectively. Sipsy needed only 7 pitches to get out of the top of the 1st, which included a strikeout. Pickens could not capitalize on a lead off single by Travis Huffman as he was left stranded at 3rd to send us to the 2nd, score still at 0-0. Sipsy continued his good start to the game by striking out two more Rams in the top of the 2nd. Brady Moore gave the Dragons the lead in the bottom of the frame when he drove in Zack Moore as Pickens held a 1-0 lead going to the 3rd.
With nothing doing for either team in the 3rd, we’d go to 4th, with Pickens still ahead of Newton 1-0. The Rams tied things up at 1 in the top of the 4th. The tie would not last long as the Dragons scored 4 in the bottom of the inning to reclaim the lead 5-1 going to the 5th. Sipsy settled down in the 5th and collected two more K’s to bring his total on the day to 7. Pickens went 1-2-3 in order in the bottom of the 5th to send us to the 6th, Dragons leading, 5-1.
Newton added two runs in the top of the 6th to cut the Dragons lead to 5-3. Pickens plated 2 runs themselves in the bottom of the frame to stretch their lead out 7-3 going to the 7th. The Dragons would shut down any comeback attempt by the Rams in the top of the 7th to get the sweep on the afternoon, 7-3.
Dalton Sipsy: 5 1/3rdIP, 1R 3H, 8K on 77 pitches
Luke Smith: 2/3IP, 2R on 13 pitches
Brady Moore: 1IP 1K 0R on 24 pitches, & 0-2, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Travis Huffman: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 run scored, & 3 RBI
Joseph Gossett: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, & 1 RBI
Dominic Stephens: 1-4 with 1 single
Jace Franklin: 1-3 with a single
Zack Moore: 0-2 with a HBP, & 1 run scored
Wyatt Gooch: 1-2 with a single, 1 walk, & 2 runs scored
Dylan Huffman: 1-2 with a single, 1 walk, & 1 run scored
Will Lawrence: 1-1 with a single & 1 run scored
The Dragons now find themselves two games over .500 at 5-3 on the season after another win over a 7-A school. Pickens will begin 6-AAAA region play at home on Wednesday against their rival Gilmer in a varsity/JV doubleheader that will begin at 5 at Dragons Field.
Dragons Get Their Record Over .500 With Win Over Murray County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 6, 2017
On Saturday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted three teams for a set of afternoon ball games as they welcomed the Murray County Indians, & the Newton Rams to Dragons Field. Each team would get a chance to play each other & the two teams to kick the day off would be Murray County, & your Dragons.
Caswell Smith got the call in game one for the Dragons and he pitched very well against the Indians. In the top of the 1st, Smith sat down 2 Indians via strikeout as we would go to the bottom of the inning. Pickens, would get a single & 2 walks in consecutive at bats, but would leave the bases loaded as we would head to the 2nd, still tied at 0. In the top of the 2nd, Smith worked out of trouble by again striking out 2 Indians to send us to the bottom of the frame. Travis Huffman drove in Brady Moore with an RBI triple, then came in to score himself after an errant throw to 3rd to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead going to the 3rd.
In the 3rd, Smith needed only ten pitches & collected 2 more strike outs to bring his total to 6 through 3 innings. Pickens, would go quietly in the bottom of the 3rd as we headed to the 4th with the Dragons still leading Murray County, 2-0. Smith continued his impressive start in the 4th with another 2 strikeout inning, bringing his total up to 8 for the game. The Dragons left 2 stranded in the bottom half of the 4th and we’d go to the 5th with Pickens still leading the Indians, 2-0.
Smith’s last inning was the top of the 5th and he finished it off by not giving up anything to Murray County. In the bottom of the inning, Will Lawrence brought in pitch runner Isaiah Payne to stretch the Dragons lead to 3-0 going to the top of the 6th. In the top of the 6th, the Indians plated a run on 3 hits to cut the Pickens lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the frame, Dalton Presley added some insurance runs as he drove in T. Huffman & Joseph Gossett to make it 5-1 Dragons going to the 7th. In the top of the 7th, the Dragons used a combination of Jace Franklin, Andrew Hasbrouck, & Brady Moore to get the Indians out and seal the win for Pickens, 5-1.
Caswell Smith: 5 IP, 3H 8K, 0ER on 73 pitches
Jace Franklin: 1 1/3IP, 1K 1R on 28 pitches, & 1-1 with a single
Andrew Hasbrouck: 1/3IP 0R on 2 pitches
Brady Moore: 1/3IP 0R 1K on 5 pitches, & 1-1 with a run scored
Travis Huffman: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Joseph Gossett: 2-4 with 2 singles & 1 run scored
Dalton Presley: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, & 2 RBI
Dominic Stephens: 1-2 with a single & 1 walk
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with 1 RBI
Wyatt Gooch: 1-2 with a single
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with a single
Isaiah Payne: 1 run scored
Dragons Open Region Play With Win Over Gilmer
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 9, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team began 6-AAAA play as they welcomed their rivals from just up 515, the Gilmer Bobcats. Both teams came in over .500 for the season with Pickens at 5-3 & Gilmer at 5-4, & were looking to get region play started off on the right foot.
Senior Travis Huffman got the call to start against the Bobcats and again, pitched very well. Gilmer managed 1 hit in the top of the 1st, but that runner would be picked off to end the half inning and send us to the bottom of the frame. The starter for the Bobcats, Will Barnes, looked sharp in his 1st inning of work only needing 5 pitches. T. Huffman struck out the side in the top of the 2nd, while the Dragons would strand 2 after 2 hits in the bottom of the 2nd to send us to the 3rd, still scoreless.
Pickens struck first in the bottom of the 3rd as both Dalton Presley & Dominic Stephens drove in runs to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead over the Bobcats going to the 4th. A lead off double by Austin Damon, his 2nd of the ball game, led to the first run for Gilmer as he came in after a single by McKinley Chadwick & a misplayed ball in the outfield to cut the Dragons lead in half 2-1 going to the bottom of the 4th. Pickens got a lead off double themselves via Zack Moore & he would be driven in by an RBI single from Dylan Huffman to give the Dragons a 3-1 lead going to the 5th.
In the top of the 5th, Gilmer capitalized on some Pickens errors to plate 3 runs and take the lead going to the bottom of the 5th, 4-3. The Dragons would not be trailing long as they got the lead back by scoring two runs on one hit to hold a 5-4 lead going to the 6th. T. Huffman got through the top of the 6th throwing ten pitches and striking out two to send us to the bottom of the frame. Brady Moore came in on a wild pitch, & Presley drove in T. Huffman to give the Dragons a 7-4 lead going to the 7th. After allowing a two out hit, T. Huffman was able to end the Bobcats chances of a comeback with a strike out to give the Dragons the win, 7-4.
Travis Huffman: 7IP, 8K, 5H, 1ER, 1BB on 101 pitches & 2-4 with 2 singles & 2 runs scored
Joseph Gossett: 1 run scored
Dalton Presley: 2 sacrifice RBI
Dominic Stephens: 1-4 with 1 double & 1 RBI
Jace Franklin: 1-3 with 1 single & 1 run scored
Zack Moore: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, & 1 run scored
Wyatt Gooch: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with 1 single & 1 RBI
Will Lawrence: 1-2 with a single & 1 run scored
Brady Moore: 1-1 with a single & 1 run scored
Pickens & Gilmer will be back at it this afternoon in Ellijay as part of a varsity doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30.
Dragons Even Season Series With 7-A Woodstock
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 1, 2017
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Woodstock Wolverines in a non-region tilt at Dragons Field. Woodstock, is out of the 7-A classification and came into the ball game 8-2 & winners of 5 straight. Pickens, came into the game fresh off of a split with 5-A Paulding County last week. With a win here, the Dragons would split with the Wolverines.
Senior Travis Huffman got the call for the Dragons and he pitched very well during this game. T. Huffman K’d two during the top of the 1st to send us to the bottom of the frame. Not to be outdone, T. Huffman came up to lead off the bottom of the inning, & on the 1st pitch he saw, cranked it over the left field wall to put the Dragons up 1-0 going to the 2nd. The Dragons were able to work out of a jam in the top of the 2nd as T. Huffman K’d a batter to end the half inning. Brady Moore drove in Zack Moore on a sac fly RBI to give Pickens a 2-0 lead over the Wolverines going to the 3rd.
After Woodstock again could not get anything going in the top of the 3rd, the Dragons added to their lead in the bottom of the inning as Dominic Stephens crushed a 2-run home run over the fence to give Pickens a 4-0 lead going to the 4th. Both teams were not able to get anything going in the 4th as we headed to the 5th, Dragons still ahead of Woodstock, 4-1. In the top of the 5th, Woodstock got on the board to make it 4-1 Pickens. The Dragons were unable to answer in the bottom of the frame as they went 1-2-3 in order to send us to the 6th.
T. Huffman needed only 8 pitches to put an end to the Wolverine 6th inning. We would head to the 7th, Pickens still ahead of Woodstock, 4-1. T. Huffman finished his complete game with a 9 pitch 7th inning & a K to seal the Dragons win over the Wolverines, 4-1.
Pickens had 4 runs on 7 hits
Travis Huffman: 7IP, 7K, 3H, 1 unearned run & 2-3 1 HR, 1 single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Joseph Gossett: 1-3 with a single & 1 run scored
Dominic Stephens: 1-3 with a HR, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Zack Moore: 1-2 with a double, 1 HBP, & 1 run scored
Wyatt Gooch: 1-2 with a single, & a walk
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with a single
Brady Moore: 0-1 with a sacrifice, & 1 RBI
The varsity Dragons will be back in action this Saturday as they host both Murray County & Newton at Dragons Field. The first game for the Dragons on Saturday will be at 11 a.m. against Murray County. Murray & Newton will then play after that game concludes, then the final game of the afternoon will see the Dragons face Newton.
Dragons Take Game 2 Against The Patriots In High Scoring Affair
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 23, 2017
For the nightcap of our Wednesday, it was the 2nd game of the doubleheader between the Dragons & the Patriots of Paulding County. Unlike game 1, this game had offense early & often.
In game 2, Paulding County struck early. The Patriots tacked on 7 runs in the top of the 1st. The Dragons had a nice answer in the bottom of the frame as Dominic Stephens drove in 2 & Zack Moore drove in 1 to cut the Paulding County lead to 7-3, going to the 2nd. In the top of the 2nd, Andrew Hasbrouck, who came on in relief of starter Will Lawrence, needed only 11 pitches to get the Pickens bats back up to the plate. The red hot Dragon bats struck for 8 runs in the bottom of the 2nd to take an 11-7 lead going to the 3rd.
Hasbrouck continued his short inning work as he only needed 12 pitches to end the top of the 3rd for the Patriots. The Dragons however, would go in order in the bottom of the inning to send us to the 4th. In the 4th, Paulding County cut the Pickens lead in half as two runs came across to make it 11-9 going to the bottom half of the inning. An RBI from Brady Moore, Joseph Gossett, & Stephens, & 1 unearned run scored by Z. Moore, stretched the lead out for the Dragons to 15-9 going to the 5th.
The Patriots would score two runs on relief pitchers Clate McArthur & Jackson Jones in the top of the 5th to once again, cut into the Dragons lead at 15-11. The bottom of the frame saw Pickens tack on three more runs to make it 18-11 going to the 6th. Jackson Jones was able to get out of the top of the 6th without giving up any runs. Stephens, in the bottom of the inning, sent a shot over the left field wall to make it 19-11. Wyatt Gooch would then drive in Z. Moore to make it 20-11 going to the 7th. After scoring one run in the top of the 7th, Damian Watkins was able to shut the Patriots down and seal the win for the Dragons, 20-12.
With the win, Pickens is now 2-3 on the early season. The Dragons will be back in action in a busy filled week next week with all the games at home. First up, a rematch with the Wolverines of Woodstock on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The first meeting between these two teams went into extra innings with Woodstock winning 1-0.
Dragons Fall In Extras To Paulding County In Game 1 Of Doubleheader
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 23, 2017
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Paulding County Patriots out of 5-A in a doubleheader for their first home games of the 2017 season. After going 1-2 last week against Woodstock, Monroe Area, & Madison County, Pickens looked to open up the home portion of their schedule with a pair of wins.
Caswell Smith got the call to start for the Dragons & pitched pretty well yesterday afternoon. Smith would record a strike out in the top of the 1st. Pickens, left two runners stranded in the bottom of the frame to send us to the 2nd, tied at 0. Paulding Co. struck first in the top of the 2nd, scoring 1 run on one hit. The Dragons again stranded two runners to send us to the 3rd with the Patriots ahead, 1-0.
In the 3rd, Smith settled down and only needed 9 pitches to get out of the top of the inning. Pickens again could not get anything going in the bottom of the frame as we would go to the 4th, Paulding Co. still leasding, 1-0. Both teams were unable to get anything going in the 4th, we would head to the 5th, Patriots still ahead, 1-0.
Travis Huffman relieved Smith in the top of the 5th. Paulding Co. added a run in the top of the 5th to make it 2-0. The Dragons again had a base runner on in the bottom of the inning but, the Patriots were able to escape, sending us to the 6th. In the 6th, Pickens was able to pick off two Paulding Co. runners to dimiss any potential scoring threat. Wyatt Gooch would then get hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 6th with the bases loaded to cut the Patriots lead in half, 2-1 going to the 7th.
T. Huffman & the Dragons were able to work out of a tight jam in the top of the 7th to give them one more shot at tying or winning the game. T. Huffman reached on an error, Joseph Gossett moved him over to 2nd, & Dalton Presley brought him in to tie the game with a single and send us to extra innings. These two teams played on until the 12th inning. Paulding County scored twice & held on in the bottom of the inning to get the win in game 1, 4-2.
Caswell Smith: 4 1/3 innings 1 ER & 2 K’s, & went 1-2 with a single
Travis Huffman: 5 1/3 innings 1 ER, 4 hits, 6 K’s, & scored a run
Jace Franklin: 2 1/3 innings 2 ER & 1 K, went 1-3 with a single & 2 walks
Joseph Gossett: drew a walk & sacrificed a runner over
Dalton Presley: 1-6 with a single & 1 run driven in
Dominic Stephens: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 walks, & 1 run scored
Zack Moore: drew a walk
Wyatt Gooch: drew 3 walks and had 1 RBI
Pickens Goes To 1-1 After Tough Game With Pepperell
Team FYN Sports September 4, 2016
This past Friday night, The Pickens Dragons varsity football team welcomed the Dragons of Pepperell In a clash of the Dragons. Pepperell is out of 2-AA and was looking to complete their first game of the season after playing two scrimmages and having their first actual game of the season called a no contest due to lightening last week. This was the first meeting between the two schools since the mid 80’s. Prior to the game, the Mr. & Miss PHS court was recognized as Dominic Stephens was selected Mr. PHS & Hunter Harrington was crowned Miss PHS.
Pepperell won the toss and elected to differ to the 2nd half giving the Dragons the first shot at points. While both teams went back and forth with defensive stops, Pickens finally was able to get on the board at the 6:02 mark of the 1st quarter with a 32-yard field goal from Rudy Perez, making it 3-0. Pepperell struck for their first points soon after with a 58-yd pass and catch. The Dragons of Pepperell then got a two-point conversion to make it 8-3 with 3:02 left in the opening quarter. With the score still 8-3 as we went into the 2nd, quarter, Pickens grabbed the lead back after a 5-yd run by Trevon Hawkins, making it 10-8 with 4:21 to go in the 1st half. Pepperell got in after a 2-yd run with 33 seconds left to take a 15-10 lead going into the break.
In the 3rd, both teams again were going back and forth taking turns with possessions but finding no success. Pepperell got the lone points in the 3rd quarter with a 29-yd field goal at the 3:53 mark to stretch their lead out to 18-10. Pickens had several chances in the 4th including one late in the game, but it was not meant to be as the Pepperell Dragons got their first win on the year, 18-10.
Stats for the game.
Pickens had 11 1st downs, went 3-11 on 3rd down, 2-3 on 4th down, ran 52 plays for a total of 239 yards including 108 yards rushing on 37 attempts, and 131 yards passing on 15 attempts
Jacob Brumby went 7-14 for 81 yards & Avery Luke went 1-1 for 50 yards
Chris Pittman led the way rushing with 39 yards on 13 attempts, Trevon Hawkins ran it 5 times for 30 yards and a td, & Brumby ran it 14 times for 27 yards.
Alex Pittman led the receivers with 50 yards on 1 catch, Hawkins caught 3 passes for 46 yards, Zach Goss had 2 catches for 20 yards, & Dylan Huffman had 2 catches for 15 yards
The Pickens defense did all it could on Friday night keeping the Dragons in the ball game till the very end.
Alex Pittman & Will Wotring led the Dragons in tackles, each coming up with 10, Avery Luke had 8 total tackles, Devin Grant & Michael Cain each came up with 6 stops & Cain added a sack, Michael Casey forced the lone turnover on the night for the Dragons defense with an interception to go along with 3 total tackles
C. Pittman punted it 2 times for a total of 85 yards, Huffman returned 5 punts for a total of 47 yards, & Wotring returned 3 kickoffs for a total of 78 yards
Rudy Perez went 1-1 on PAT’s & went 1-2 on field goals
Pickens will now prepare for their first road game of the season next week when they travel to Gainesville to take on the North Hall Trojans in the Brickyard. The Trojans are in the AAA classification and were former region mates of Pickens several years ago. Game time is set for 7:30.
Dragons Grab 3rd Place With Sweep Of Ridgeland
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 20, 2016
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.
Dragons End A Back-To-Back-To-Back In Tough Fashion
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 8, 2016
Yesterday, the PHS Varsity baseball team hosted the Generals of Heritage at Dragons Field. There were also some very special attendees at this game as 6 MLB scouts came to watch the Generals starting pitcher, Dylan Bice. This was the third game in three days for Pickens as they fell to Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday, but came back Wednesday to defeat Ridgeland 7-2. Both games on the road.
Junior Travis Huffman was tasked to take on the Generals in this ball game. Heritage struck first early on as they were able to get a run on two hits. The Dragons were sit down in order as we’d go to the 2nd, with the Generals up 1-0. After Heritage went quietly in the top of the 2nd, a one out walk drawn by Walker Lawrence came in to score as Wyatt Gooch hit a single to left field that got by the left fielder. As we headed to the 3rd, the game was neck and neck at 1-1.
The game would not be tied for long as Heritage was able to plate two runs in the top of the 3rd to retake the lead, 3-1. With the score now 4-1 in favor of the Generals in the bottom of the 6th, Lawrence drove in Dominic Stephens on a two out RBI double. Pickens then loaded the bases with two straight walks, but were unable to bring in any other runs as the Generals got out of the big time jam. Going to the 7th, Heritage led things, 4-2.
Bice helped himself out in the top of the 7th with a three run homer to right, making things 7-2. A one out single from T. Huffman was all the Dragons could manage in the bottom of the frame as Heritage would take this one, 7-2.
Travis Huffman went 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 9 hits, & striking out 4 on 102 pitches & went 2-4 with a stolen base
Dominic Stephens drew a walk and scored a run
Walker Lawrence went 1-1 with a double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, & drew two walks
Wyatt Gooch went 1-2 with a single, 1 RBI, & drew one walk
Pickens is now 12-8 overall and in 4th in 7-AAAA at 5-4. The Dragons have a tough week next week with three region games all on the road. The week starts at Cartersville on Tuesday, then at Northwest Whitfield on Thursday, then a battle with 515 rival Gilmer on Friday. All games have a first pitch time of 5:55.
Dragons Get The Week Sweep Over Murray Co.
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 11, 2016
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