Dragons Battle In State Tournament Against Num. 2 Team In 4A
PHS Baseball April 25, 2019
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team headed down to Atlanta to take on the Marist War Eagles in the 1st round of the GHSA 4A State Baseball Tournament. Coming into the game, the Dragons were the #3 seed out of region 6-AAAA, while Marist, came in as the #2 seed out of region 7-AAAA. Marist was also ranked as the 2nd best team in 4A coming into the state tournament.
Game 1:
In the top of the 1st, the Dragons got a 2-out walk by Tyler Vreeland, but that would be all they would manage to begin the game. The War Eagles, plated the 1st run of the game in the bottom of the first, taking a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the 3rd, Pickens struck for the first time as starter Colby James hit a 2-run, 2-out single, knocking in Hunter White & Brady Moore to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead over Marist. In the bottom of the inning, the War Eagles re-took the lead by scoring two runs over their own & now led, 3-2.
In the bottom of the 4th, Marist added to their lead by plating a run to make it 4-2 over the Dragons. In the top of the 5th, Pickens, never one to stop fighting, scored 2 runs as both Jacob Kirchoff came to score on a passed ball, & Moore scored when James got walked for his 3rd RBI, tying the game at 4.
In this back and forth opening game of the series, the War Eagles plated 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th to re-take the lead, 6-4. In the top of the 7th, the Dragons got a 1-out double from Caswell Smith, but he was left stranded as Marist held on to take game one, 6-4.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 2-4 with 2 doubles, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith: 1-2 with a single, & 2 intentional walks
Tyler Vreeland: 1 walk
Colby James: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 3 RBI
Hunter White: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Jacob Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game 2:
Game 2, saw Pickens as the designated home team & saw senior & College of Charleston signee Caswell Smith get the start. The Dragons, were looking to get a win here in game 2, to force a 3rd and deciding game.
Smith & the Dragons, were in a little bit of trouble in the top of the first as Marist had an early threat. Pickens, got out of it & we headed to the bottom of the 1st tied. Brady Moore, led the bottom of the 1st with a walk, but would be left stranded at 3rd, keeping the game scoreless.
In the top of the 2nd, the War Eagles plated the first runs of the game, taking a 2-0 lead. Marist added to their lead in the top of the 3rd, scoring 4 times to make it a 6-0 lead over the Dragons.
In the bottom of the 4th, Pickens broke through. The Dragons, socred 4 runs on 5 hits, getting a 2-RBI knock from Chad Pacas, and an RBI each from Jacob Kirchoff & Moore. Going to the 5th, the War Eagles lead was cut to just 6-4.
Marist, re-took the lead in the top of the 5th by scoring 5 runs. Pickens went quietly in the bottom of the frame, & we’d head to the 6th, with the War Eagles up, 11-4.
In the bottom of the 7th, now trailing 16-4, the Dragons would put up one last fight. Getting an RBI from Tyler Vreeland, Colby James, Austin Chester, & Hunter White, & scoring 6 runs before Marist was able to get the final out. Final score, Marist 16, Pickens 10. Pickens finishes the season at 19-13.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, & a run scored
Caswell Smith: 2-4 with 2 singles, & 1 run scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-4 with a single & 1 RBI
Colby James: 2-4 with a single, a double, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Will Lawrence: 3-3 with 3 singles & 2 runs scored
Austin Chester: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI. & 2 runs scored
Chad Pacas: 1-2 with a single, 2 hit by pitch, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Hunter White: 1 walk, 1 RBI
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-4 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Dragons Fall On The Road At Northwest Whitfield, Game 3 This Afternoon
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 11, 2019
It was a hot one yesterday afternoon as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team traveled up to take on the Bruins of Northwest Whitfield for the 2nd straight day. On Tuesday, the Dragons fell 3-0. Yesterday’s game, was originally scheduled for Friday, but with storms on the way, they bumped it up to Wednesday. In any event, Pickens came into the game looking to even up the series.
Pickens, got off to a good start in the top of the 1st, as Caswell Smith, tied a PHS record for home runs in a season with his 10th. Going to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons held a 1-0 lead. Smith, got off to a good start on the mound as well, striking out 1 on 16 pitches to send us to the 2nd,, Dragons up, 1-0.
In the top of the 2nd, Austin Chester led off with a double & it looked like the Dragons were poised to add to their lead. The Bruins however, got a double play, & then a strikeout to end any scoring chance in the 2nd for Pickens. Northwest Whitfield, scored a run in the bottom of the frame to even things up at 1, going to the 3rd.
In the top of the 3rd, the Dragons again had another scoring chance with runners on 2nd & 3rd with 1 out, & then runners on 1st & 3rd with 2 outs. Somehow, the Bruins were able to escape those dcoring threats & the game remained tied at 1. In the bottom of the inning, Northwest Whitfield scored 4 runs to make it 5-1, going to the 4th.
There would be no scoring till the 6th inning as Hunter White knocked in Chad Pacas in the top of the frame to make it 5-2. The Bruins, were able to counter with 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th, to make it 8-2. Northwest Whitfield, would take this one by a final of 8-2.
Game 3 of the series will be this afternoon at PJHS. It is also the annual pink out game as the Dragons are raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Come out to the ballpark, wear pink, & cheer on the Dragons as they look to get a big home win. First pitch is set for 5:30.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a single & a walk
Caswell Smith: 1-3 with a home run, a walk, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Chad Pacas: 1 run scored
Austin Chester: 2-2 with 2 doubles & 1 walk
Hunter White: 1 RBI
Jarod Whitmore: 1 walk, 1 stolen base
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-3 with a single
Dragons Win 4th Straight, Defeat Dalton
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 6, 2019
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Dalton Catamounts at Dragons Field in non-region action. Dalton, is out of the 6-A classification. On Thursday, these two teams met in Dalton, & Pickens came away with a 7-3 win. The Dragons came in, looking for a home & home sweep.
Starter Will Lawrence, got off to a great start in the top of the 1st, striking out two Catamounts. Pickens, got off to an even better start offensively as Brady Moore led off the bottom half of the inning with a home run, & Tyler Vreeland knocked in Caswell Smith with an RBI double. Going to the 2nd, the Dragons held a 2-0 lead over Dalton.
In the 2nd, Lawrence added to his strikeout total, collecting two more, but Dalton was able to cut the Dragon lead in half, 2-1. Pickens, had a potential 2-out threat emerging, but the Catamounts were able to end the inning & send us to the 3rd.
The 3rd inning saw back and forth action. In the top of the frame, Dalton took their first lead of the game by scoring two runs, making it 3-2. The Dragons, were able to counter back, with 4 runs. Smith with a 2-run home run (his 9th), & getting an RBI from Lawrence & Chad Pacas to make it 6-3 Pickens, going to the 4th.
The 5th inning, saw ten total runs scored between the two teams. In the top of the inning, the Catamounts scored 5 times to retake the lead from the Dragons, 8-6. In the bottom half of the inning, it was the Dragons turn to score 5 runs led by Moore with an RBI single, & Smith with a 2-RBI double. Going to the 6th, Pickens led Dalton, 11-8.
In the bottom of the 6th, the Dragons added an insurance run when Lawrence, drove in Jarod Whitmore to make it 12-8. Pacas came in for the top of the 7th, & shut the Catamounts down to give Pickens the 12-8 win.
Next week, the Dragons will begin their biggest series of the season as they take on the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in a 3-game set. Pickens: 16-7 (9-3) & Northwest Whitfield: 15-5 (9-3) are tied atop the 6-AAAA standings & the winner of the series will be in the drivers seat as far as the region championship is concerned. Game one of the 3-game set will be in Tunnel Hill at Northwest Whitfield. First pitch set for 5:30.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 3-4 with a home run, 2 singles, 1 RBI, & 3 runs scored
Caswell Smith: 2-2 with a home run, a double, 2 walks, 4 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 3-4 with a double, 2 singles, & 1 RBI
Colby James: 2-4 with 2 singles & 2 runs scored
Will Lawrence: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Austin Chester: 1 walk
Chad Pacas: 2-3 with 2 singles, a walk, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Hunter White: 1-4 with a single
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Jarod Whitmore: 2 runs scored
Smith Throws Complete Game As Dragons Defeat Lumpkin
PHS Baseball February 15, 2019
After picking up a season opening win over the Murray County Indians the day before, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team, was right back on the diamond yesterday afternoon to host the Lumpkin County Indians, in another non-region ball game.
Dragon Senior & College of Charleston signee Caswell Smith took the mound for Pickens and was very effective. Smith, collected a strikeout, & needed only 10 pitches to get out of the top of the 1st. Pickens, got on the board first in the bottom of the inning after Brady Moore came around to score after leading off the frame with a double.
In the bottom of the third, Smith helped himself out with a solo opposite field homerun, to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead over the Indians. Lumpkin, got their first run of the ball game in the top of the 4th, & Pickens went in order in the bottom of the inning to send us to the 5th, Dragons up, 2-1.
After another leadoff hit by Moore to begin the bottom of the 5th, Tyler Vreeland would bring Moore in and give the Dragons a 3-1 lead. Lumpkin County however wouldn’t go away quietly as they would answer back with a run of their own in the top of the 6th, to once again make it a 1 run game, 3-2, going to the 7th.
In the 7th, the Indians would load the bases & things looked like we would be heading to the bottom of the inning tied. Smith, who was still in the game pitching, was able to get two strikeouts, & the final batter to fly out to center to preserve the win for the Dragons, 3-2.
Stats:
Caswell Smith: 7 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 8 K on 95 pitches & 1-3 with a homerun, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Brady Moore: 2-4 with 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-3 with a single & 1 RBI
Colby James: 1-3 with a single
Austin Chester: 1 walk
Will Lawrence: 1-2 with a single & a walk
Jacob Kirchoff: 1 walk
Pickens, will again be at home this afternoon as they welcome the Denmark Danes to Dragons Field. First pitch is set for 5:55.
Dragons Drop Game 1 To Ridgeland, Game 2 This Afternoon
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 28, 2019
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed the Ridgeland Panthers to Dragons Field to begin the most important 3 game set of the season up to this point. This game, was supposed to be played Tuesday, but rain pushed it to yesterday. Both teams came in 7-2 in region play, just one game back of Northwest Whitfield. Coming into this series, the Dragons had won every opening game, & looked to keep that going in game 1 against the Panthers.
In the top of the 1st, Ridgeland looked to get on the board early, but a great throw by Dragon right fielder Hunter White, kept that from happening as he threw out a runner at home. Pickens, couldn’t get anything going in the bottom of the frame, & we’d head to the 2nd, tied at 0.
In the top of the 2nd, the Panthers scored 2 runs on 2 hits, taking a 2-0 lead. In the bottom half of the frame, the Dragons were able to cut the lead in half as Will Lawrence came in to score after multiple balks by the Ridgeland pitcher. Going to the 3rd, the Panthers led Pickens, 2-1.
Dragon starter Colby James needed 11 pitches to collect two strikeouts & retire the Panthers in the top of the 3rd. In the bottom of the inning, Pickens tied things up as Brady Moore led off with a screaming double down the left field line, & Caswell Smith was able to bring him in on an RBI single to tie things up at 2, going to the 4th.
In the top of the 4th, Ridgeland broke things open by scoring 9 runs to make it 11-2. The Dragons got a lead off walk in the bottom of the frame, but were unable to bring him around & we’d head to the 5th, Panthers up, 11-2.
Pickens, got one back in the bottom of the 5th, as they scored a run on 2 hits to male it 11-3. The top of the 6th saw Ridgeland answer with 2 runs, to make it 13-3. In the bottom of the 6th, Moore drove in Chad Pacas to make it 13-4 Panthers. Ridgeland, took this one by a final of 13-4.
These two teams will meet again this afternoon at Ridgeland for game 2 of the 3 game set. First pitch set for 5:30.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Caswell Smith: 1 single, 1 RBI
Tyler Vreeland: 1 single, 1 walk
Colby James: 1 walk, 1 single
Will Lawrence: 1 single, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Austin Chester: 2 walks
Chad Pacas: 1 double, 1 walk
Jacob Kirchoff: 1 single
Dragons Take Game 1 Of 515 Region Series
PHS Baseball March 20, 2019
It was a sunny, yet cool afternoon in Ellijay on Tuesday as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team took on the Gilmer Bobcats in the 1st game of a three game region series. Pickens, came into this series having won their first two series over Southeast Whitfield & Heritage, While Gilmer was off from region play last week.
In the top of the 1st, Caswell Smith drew a 1-out walk, but he would be left stranded at 1st to end the top of the inning. Starting pitcher for Pickens, Colby James, sat the Bobcats down in order on 6 pitches, to send us to the 2nd, still scoreless. In the bottom of the 2nd, Gilmer had runners on 1st & 2nd, but James was able to get out of it to send it to the 3rd, still 0-0.
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In the top of the 3rd, the Dragons broke the tie after plating three runs behind RBI from Tyler Vreeland, & James, & Jarod Whitmore scoring on a passed ball. In the bottom of the frame, the Bobcats again threatened with 2 on, but James & the Dragons again got out of the jam, sending us to the 4th, Pickens ahead, 3-0.
The bottom of the 4th saw Gilmer threatening for the 3rd time in the last three innings with runners on 2nd & 3rd, looking to cut into the Dragons lead. Pickens, again escaped the danger, maintaining their 3-0 lead, going to the 5th. In the top of the 5th, the Dragons scored 5 times getting an RBI from Vreeland, James, & 2 RBI from Will Lawrence. Austin Chester scored on a passed ball. Gilmer would go down in order in the bottom of the inning, sending us to the 6th, Pickens up 8-0.
The Bobcats, got on the board in the bottom of the 6th, plating a run to make it 8-1 going to the 7th. Seth Densmore came in to shut things down in the bottom of the 7th, to seal the win for the Dragons, 8-1.
Game 2 between these two teams will be tomorrow at 5:30 at Pickens Junior High School.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Caswell Smith: 1-2 with a single, a walk, 1 hit by pitch, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-4 with a single, & 2 RBI
Colby James: 1-4 with a double & 2 RBI & 6 IP, 5 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 H, 1 R on 74 pitches
Will Lawrence: 1 walk, 2 RBI & 1 run scored
Austin Chester: 1 walk & 1 run scored
Chad Pacas: 2-4 with a double & a single
Hunter White: 2 walks & 1 run scored
Jacob Kirchoff: hit by pitch
Jarod Whitmore: 2 runs scored
Dragons Take Region Series From Southeast Whitfield, Go For Sweep This Afternoon
PHS Baseball March 7, 2019
It was a chilly afternoon at the ball park yesterday as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Southeast Whitfield Raiders in a 6-AAAA opening series. On Tuesday, the Dragons won game one 6-3 at Southeast Whitfield, & looked to take the series by winning game two of the three game set at home.
College of Charleston signee Caswell Smith took the mound & threw well against the Raiders. Smith needed 11 pitches to get out of the top of the 1st, & send the Dragons bats to work. Coastal Carolina commit Brady Moore got things going with a leadoff double, & Smith helped himself out by launching a 2-run shot over left-center. Tyler Vreeland then singled, & Will Lawrence would bring in Jarod Whitmore, who courtesy ran for Vreeland. Going to the 2nd, Pickens led 3-0. Smith found himself in a little jam in the top of the 2nd, but was able to get out of it with no damage done. Pickens plated a run in the bottom of the frame, as Colby James drove Jacob Kirchoff in on a fielder’s choice to make it 4-0 Dragons going to the 3rd.
Smith collected his 1st strikeout of the game in the top of the 3rd as he again got out a potential jam. Pickens had a two out rally in the bottom of the 3rd as Hunter White got on with a single, Kirchoff walked, Moore drove in White with a single, & Kirchoff & Moore came into score on passed balls to make it 7-0 Dragons going to the 4th.
The Raiders, plated their only 2 runs of the game in the top of the 6th, as the Dragons were able to hold on & get the win, 7-2, & take a 2-0 series lead.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 2-3 with a double, a single, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith: 1-3 with a 2-run home run, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, & 1 walk & 5 IP, 3 K, 3 H, 0 R, 74 pitches
Tyler Vreeland: 1-3 with a single & a walk
Jarod Whitmore: 1 run scored
Colby James: 1-4 with a double, & 1 RBI
Will Lawrence: 1-2 with a single, 1 RBI, & 2 hit by pitch
Austin Chester: 1 hit by pitch
Hunter White: 1-3 with a single, 1 run scored, & 1 walk
Jacob Kirchoff: 2-3 with a single, a double, 1 walk, & 2 runs scored
With the win, Pickens has taken the series from the Raiders in this three game set. The third & final game of the series will be later this afternoon at Southeast Whitfield. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Pacas’ Big Game Helps Dragons Win Series Against Gilmer
PHS Baseball March 22, 2019
Game 2 of the 3 game set came to Jasper yesterday afternoon as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Bobcats of Gilmer at Dragons Field. Pickens, took game 1 in Ellijay on Tuesday 8-1, & looked to get the series win at home.
In the top of the 1st, the Bobcats struck first getting one run on two hits to take an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Brady Moore led the inning off with a double, but the Dragons were unable to capitalize & we’d head to the 2nd, Gilmer up, 1-0. Pickens, took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd after a 2-run home run from Chad Pacas. Going to the 3rd, Dragons up, 2-1.
In the 3rd, Gilmer would go down in order, while the Dragons, were able to add to their lead. Colby James drove in Moore, to make it 3-1, going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, the Bobcats cut into the Dragons lead by plating a run on three hits, to make it 3-2 Pickens. The Dragons, had a chance to add to their lead in a big way in the bottom of the 4th with the bases loaded & 1 out, but were unable to score any runs. We headed to the 5th, Pickens still up, 3-2.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Dragons plated a run as Austin Chester doubled home Colby James to make it 4-2 Pickens, going to the 6th. The 6th inning, got a little wacky. In the top of the 6th, Gilmer was able to retake the lead by scoring 5 runs to make it 7-4. In the bottom of the 6th, lead off batter Jacob Kirchoff had what appeared to be a bloop hit that Gilmer let fall in fair territory, but it was ruled foul. On the next pitch, Kirchoff singled to right. Moore then followed that up with a single, & then Caswell Smith came up & hit one over the center field wall to tie things up at 7, & sending us to the 7th.
The top of the 7th saw the Bobcats get a lead off double, but a timely double play by the Dragons kept the game tied going to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the 7th, Chester led off with a single, Chester was then courtesy ran for by Christian Chumley. Up next, was the pitcher of record, Chad Pacas. If you remember, Pacas hit the 2-run homer in the 2nd, he then came in to pitch in the 6th, helping keep Pickens in the ball game. After Chumley advanced the 3rd after a pair of passed balls, Pacas sent a single into the outfield scoring Chumley, & winning the game for the Dragons 8-7.
Game 3 of the 3 game series will be later this afternoon in Ellijay. First pitch set for 5:30 pm.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 2-3 with a double, a single, a walk, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith: a 3-run home run, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1 single
Colby James: 1-4 with a double, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Austin Chester: 2-3 with a double, a single, a walk, & 1 RBI
Chad Pacas: 2-4 with a 2-run home run, a single, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
Hunter White: 2-3 with two singles
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Christian Chumley: 1 run scored
Densmore’s Walkoff Lifts Dragons Past Murray County
PHS Baseball February 27, 2019
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team once again welcomed the Murray County Indians to Dragons Field for a non-region contest. This game, was originally scheduled to be played at Murray County, but due to the excessive rain north Georgia received, Murray County’s field was in no shape to be used, so they moved the game to Pickens. The Dragons, were coming off of a great showing in south Georgia at Baseball at the Beach, where they defeated Brunswick 3-0, & barely fell to South Effingham 8-7.
Senior Will Lawrence got the call to start for the Dragons against the Indians. Lawrence pitched well in the top of the 1st, striking out two batters, & only needing 13 pitches to retire the side. Pickens, got off to a good start offensively as well in the bottom of the 1st, scoring 3 times, & getting an RBI from Lawrence & Austin Chester. Going to the 2nd, the Dragons led the Indians, 3-0. The top of the 2nd saw Murray score 8 times to take a 8-3 lead. Pickens, got some runs back with a 2-run double by Tyler Vreeland to make it 8-5 going to the 3rd.
Murray County got those two runs back in the top of the 3rd, to extend their lead to 10-5. The Dragons would leave Lawrence stranded at 2nd, as we’d head to the 4th, Indians up, 10-5. In the bottom of the 4th, Pickens got back into it getting an RBI from Colby James & Chad Pacas. The Dragons scored 3 runs in that frame to make it 10-8 Indians.
Murray County again answered with a run of their own in the top of the 5th, to make it 11-8. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons tied things up scoring three times, & getting an RBI from Brady Moore & Chester. We went to the 6th, with things all square at 11. It would remain tied until the bottom of the 7th, when Seth Densmore came up to pitch hit for Chester. After a couple of bunt attempts, Densmore lined a single into the outfield, & bringing home the winning run. Dragons win a wild one, 12-11.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 2-5 with a single, a double, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith: 3-4 with a single, double, triple, 1 walk, & 3 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1 double, & 2 RBI
Colby James: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Will Lawrence: 3-3 with 1 double, 2 singles, 2 walks, & 1 RBI
Austin Chester: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 2 RBI
Seth Densmore: 1-1 with a single & 1 RBI
Chad Pacas: 2 walks, & 1 RBI
Hunter White: 1 walk & 2 runs scored
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-2 with a single, 1 hit by pitch, & 3 runs scored
Pickens, will be back on the diamond this afternoon as they host the Denmark Danes at Dragons Field. Original start time was 5:55. It has now been moved up to 4.
Dragon Baseball Picks Up Opening Day Win Over Murray County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 14, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Baseball team hosted the Murray County Indians to open up the 2019 season. This game, was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but rain pushed it back to Wednesday. Pickens, looked to kick off the season with a win over a non-region opponent.
Senior & Wallace State signee Will Lawrence took the mound for the Dragons & pitched pretty well in his first outing. In the top of the first, the Murray County Indians drew a couple of walks, stole a base, & had a timely hit to take a 1-0 lead over the Dragons. That lead didn’t last long as Pickens came right back in the bottom of the frame to tie it up at 1 when Brady Moore stole 2nd, & was able to make it home after an errant throw.
Each teams had chances in the 2nd, but the Dragons were the ones to break the tie in the bottom of the 3rd as Colby James would drive in Chad Pacas to give Pickens a 2-1 lead. The Dragons added onto that lead in the bottom of the 4th, getting RBI hits from Moore & Tyler Vreeland. Going to the 5th, Pickens held a 5-1 lead over the Indians.
In the bottom of the 6th, Vreeland, knocked in his 2nd run of the game as he drove in Caswell Smith to make it 6-1 Dragons. The Indians, scored 2 runs in the top of the 7th, but that would be it as James closed the door on any comeback attempt. Pickens got the win, 6-3.
Stats:
Will Lawrence: 3 IP, 4 K, 5 BB, 1 H, 72 pitches & 1-1 with a single
Brady Moore: 1 run scored & 1 RBI
Caswell Smith: 2-3 with a single, a triple, a walk, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-3 with a double & 2 RBI
Chad Pacas: 1-4 with a single & 1 run scored
Colby James: 2-4 with two singles & 1 IP, 1 K, 0 R on 13 pitches
Hunter White: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Jackson Jones: sacrifice bunt, 1 walk, & 3 IP, 2 K, 0 R on 39 pitches
Jacob Kirchoff: 2 walks & 1 run scored
Pickens, will be back on the diamond this afternoon as they host the Lumpkin County Indians in another non-region game. First Pitch set for 5:30.
Dragons Fall To Denmark, Begin Region Play Next Week
PHS Baseball February 28, 2019
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team was right back at it at home hosting the Denmark Danes in what was the final game before the start of region play. Pickens, came into the game at 5-3 & looking to avenge one of those losses by splitting with the Danes.
Junior Colby James got the call to start for the Dragons. In the top of the 1st, James sat down the Danes in order on 13 pitches. In the bottom of the inning, recent Coastal Carolina commit led the frame off with a double, & would come into score after a sacrifice fly by James to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead going to the 2nd.
The Danes, were able to tie things up in the top of the 2nd after plating their first run. The Dragons, answered with more runs of their own after a 2-run single by Tyler Vreeland brought in Hunter White & Jacob Kirchoff. Going to the 3rd, Pickens led Denmark, 3-1.
Denmark, took the lead in the top of the 3rd with 5 runs, & added to it in the top of the 4th with 7 runs scored to make it 13-3. Caswell Smith hit a solo homerun for the Dragons in the bottom of the 4th to make it 13-4. The Danes, plated a run in the top of the 5th to make it 14-4. Denmark was able to come away with this one, 14-4.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a double & 1 run scored
Caswell Smith: 1-2 with a homerun, 1 walk, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-2 with a single, 1 walk, & 2 RBI
Colby James: 1 RBI
Will Lawrence: 2 walks
Hunter White: 1-2 with a single & 1 run scored
Jacob Kirchoff: 1 walk & 1 run scored
Pickens, will start region play next week as they’ll begin a 3-game series with the Southeast Whitfield Raiders. Game 1, will be at Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday with a first pitch time of 5:30.
Dragons Go 1-1 In Baseball Filled Day
PHS Baseball February 17, 2019
It was a cold, cloudy, sometimes foggy day at the ball park yesterday as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed three teams to Dragons Field for an all day baseballathon. There were four games played yesterday featuring Pickens, Lumpkin, Northgate, & McIntosh. The 1st game, saw the Pickens Dragons take on the Northgate Vikings out of the 6A classification at 11 am.
Junior Colby James got the call to start for the Dragons in the 1st game & his stuff was electric on this cold day. James, needed just 12 pitches to get out of the top of the 1st. The Vikings got the Dragons to go down in order, & we headed to the 2nd, still 0-0. Northgate had a mini threat in the top of the 2nd, but James was able to keep it scoreless. After a hit batter & a couple of walks, Chad Pacas came into score to give Pickens a 1-0 lead going to the 3rd.
James needed 13 pitches in the top of the 3rd, & collected his first strikeout in the process. The Dragons scored 2 runs in the bottom of the frame after a leadoff double from Brady Moore, a single from Caswell Smith, came home to score, giving Pickens a 3-0 lead going to the 4th. The Vikings cut into the lead in the top of the 4th as they got a run in on two hits. The Dragons still held the lead, 3-1. In the bottom of the inning, Pickens broke it open after scoring 4 runs, & getting RBI from Jacob Kirchoff, Tyler Vreeland, & James himself. Going to the 5th, the Dragons led Northgate 7-1.
James was able to shut down the Vikings the rest of the way, pitching a complete game as Pickens took the win in thier first game, 7-1.
Stats:
Brady Moore: 2-3, 2 doubles, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, 1 sac bunt
Chad Pacas: 1-2 with a single, a walk, a HBP, & 1 run scored
Colby James: CG, 5 strikeouts, 1 R, 101 pitches, & a double & 1 RBI
Austin Chester: 2 walks
Hunter White: 1 walk
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with a single & 1 run scored
Jacob Kirchoff: 1-2 with a single, 1 RBI, 1 run scored & 1 HBP
Game 2:
In their 2nd game of the day, Pickens took on the McIntosh Chiefs out of the 5A classification. Prior to this game, McIntosh fell to Lumpkin 10-8. Pickens, was looking to go 2-0 on the day, & get a 2nd straight win over a higher classification.
Chad Pacas got the start for the Dragons & despite getting into early trouble, pitched well in his first start of the 2019 season. McIntosh plated two runs in the top of the 1st, & while the Dragons drew a walk in the bottom of the frame, they couldn’t bring them around & the Chiefs took a 2-0 lead to the 2nd. Pacas settled down in the top of the 2nd collecting his 2nd & 3rd strikeouts of the game. Pickens went in order in the bottom of the 2nd, & McIntosh took it’s 2-0 lead into the 3rd.
The Dragons got a 2 out walk in the bottom of the 3rd, looking to cut into the McIntosh lead. The runner would be stranded at 3rd however & we’d go to the 4th, Chiefs still ahead, 2-0. In the top of the 4th, McIntosh plated 9 runs to extend their lead to 11-0. The Chiefs scored twice more in the top of the 5th to make it 13-0. Pickens scored twice themselves in the bottom of the 5th, but it would be McIntosh to come away with the win, 13-2.
Pickens, will be on the road on Monday as they’ll take on the Denmark Danes on Monday in a make up game that was scheduled for last Friday. The game will be played at LakePoint, & the first pitch is scheduled for 2:30.
5th Inning Key For JV Dragons Win Over White County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 16, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS JV Dragons baseball team hosted the White County Warriors at Dragons Field at PCMS. The JV Dragons, looked to kick things off in 2017 with a win at home.
Ben Miller, took to the mound for the JV Dragons and looked good in the top of the 1st. Miller K’d 2 batters in the top of the frame sending us to the bottom of the 1st. Pickens struck first as Jay Jones drew a leadoff walk and was driven in by Colby James on an RBI double. James then would be driven in by Adam Massey as the Dragons took a 2-0 lead going to the 2nd.
In the top of the 2nd, White County struck for 4 runs to take the lead over Pickens 4-2. The bottom of the 2nd saw the Dragons leave two stranded after Hunter Kalson led off the inning with a single. We would go to the 3rd, with the Warriors ahead, 4-2.
In the 3rd, Aiden Sanchez relieved Evan Jones and struck two Warriors out sending us to the bottom of the inning. Pickens cut the White County lead to 4-3 as Jacob Kirchoff drove in Lucas Headrick with an RBI single. In the 4th, the Dragons tied it up at 4 after Christian Chumley drove in Headrick with an RBI single.
The bottom of the 5th would be the turning point of the ball game. After Kirchoff & Bailey Truitt reached on errors, Jones drove them in with a single to give Pickens the lead back, 6-4. Headrick & Massey were able to draw back to back walks, then Chumley cleared the bases with a 3-RBI single to stretch the Dragons lead over the Warriors to 9-4.
After leading off with a single in the bottom of the 6th, Tyler Vreeland scored after a wild pitch to make it 10-4. White County would not go quietly as they started a rally in the top of the 7th. The Warriors scored two runs before Shawn Mask shut them down to seal a 10-6 win for the JV Dragons.
Ben Miller went 1 1/3 innings with 2 K’s, Evan Jones went 2/3 innings with 1 K, Aiden Sanchez went 2 innings with 2 K’s, Austin Plumley went 2 innings, & Shawn Mask went 1 inning
Pickens had 10 runs on 8 hits
Christian Chumley went 2-2 with 4 RBI
Adam Massey went 1-1 with an RBI, 1 run scored, & 3 walks
Jay Jones went 1-3 with 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 walk, & 1 HBP
Jacob Kirchoff went 1-3 with 1 RBI, a single, & 1 run scored
Lucas Headrick went 1-3 with 1 single, 3 runs scored, 1 walk, & 1 HBP
Colby James went 1-4 with 1 RBI, 1 double, & 1 walk
Tyler Vreeland went 1-2 with 1 single, & 1 run scored
The JV Dragons will have a quick turnaround as they travel to White County to take on the Warriors this afternoon. First pitch set for 5:30 p.m.
JV Dragons Baseball Now 6-1 On The Season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 15, 2016
Yesterday, after their varsity teammates, defeated the Towns Co. varsity 17-2, the PHS JV Baseball team hosted the Towns Co. JV Indians in the 2nd game of the varsity/JV doubleheader. This is a league game for both teams with both fighting for position in the standings.
Jackson Jones got the start for the Dragons and worked a solid first inning. Pickens got three straight hits to open the bottom half of the 1st, and runs driven in by Isaiah Payne & Will Lawrence to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead going to the 2nd. In the 2nd, the Indians were able to get a run back to make things 3-1 going to the bottom of the 2nd. Pickens would be held scoreless in the 2nd as we headed to the 3rd, still 3-1 Dragons.
In the 3rd, Towns Co. again chipped away at the lead with another run to cut things to 3-2. J. Jones helped his own cause as he brought in Lawrence with an RBI double to stretch the lead back to two at 4-2 going to the 4th. Pickens got out of a jam in the top of the 4th to send us to the bottom of the inning. Much like their varsity counterparts, the JV Dragons had a huge 4th inning, scoring 13 runs on 10 hits, making it 17-2 and enforcing the 15 run rule.
Jackson Jones went 3 2/3rd innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, & striking out 2 on 66 pitches. Went 1-2 with a double, & 1 RBI
Michael Burrell went 2-4 with a single, double, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Isaiah Payne went 1-1 with a single, 1 RBI & a run scored
Jacob Kirchoff went 1-1 with a single, & 2 runs scored
Brady Moore went 1-1 with a single, & 1 run scored
Dalton Elrod went 2-2 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith scored 2 runs
Will Lawrence went 3-4 with 4 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland went 1-2 with 2 runs scored
Adam Massey went 1-3 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Damain Watkins had 2 RBI & went 1/3rd inning with 0 runs & 0 walks
Lucas Headrick went 1-3 with a double, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
The JV Dragons will be in action again later today as they take on the JV Fannin Rebels in Blue Ridge. Pickens will return the favor by hosting the JV Rebels on Thursday.