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.
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.
Missed Opportunities Costly For Dragons In Tough Game Against Northwest Whitfield
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 22, 2017
Yesterday, before the storms rolled in, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Bruins of Northwest Whitfield in 6-AAAA region action. Coming into the ball game, the Dragons held the top spot in the region standings at 3-0 while the Bruins held a 4-2 mark. This was the start of a three game series between the two schools.
Senior Travis Huffman got the start for the Dragons and looked good early. After allowing a bloop hit in the top of the 1st, he was able to work around it to send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the 1st, Pickens had an early scoring chance with runners at the corners and only 1 out. However, the runner at 1st would be picked off and the Bruins were able to get out of the inning with a pop up.
In the top of the 2nd, Northwest Whitfield struck first blood. The Bruins were able to plate 4 runs on 3 hits to take a 4-0 lead over the Pickens going to the bottom of the 2nd. Again, the Dragons had a scoring chance in the bottom of the inning. The runner at 2nd would be doubled up after the Bruins pitcher caught a line drive, & the inning would come to an end with a fly out. We headed to the 3rd, Northwest Whitfield leading Pickens, 4-0.
The top of the 3rd was the best half inning of work for T. Huffman as he only needed 9 pitches to get out of the frame. The bottom of the 3rd again showed promise for the Dragons, as Pickens had runners on 1st & 2nd with 1 out. The Bruins however were able to get out of it without any damage done to maintain their 4-0 advantage going to the top of the 4th. Relief pitcher Andrew Hasbrouck needed only 8 pitches in the top of the 4th to sit Northwest Whitfield down. The Dragons stranded a runner at 2nd in the bottom of the 4th to send us to the 5th.
Hasbrouck continued his success from the top of the 4th to the top of the 5th as he again only needed 8 pitches to get out of the inning. Pickens had a minor 2-out threat, but left a runner stranded at 1st to send us to the top of the 6th, Northwest Whitfield still ahead, 4-0. In the top of the 6th, Hasbrouck continued his outing with a ten pitch inning that included 1 strikeout. The Dragons offensive struggles continued however as they would go in order in the bottom of the inning to send us to the 7th, Bruins leading, 4-0.
Northwest Whitfield added to their lead in the top of the 7th with a run to make it 5-0 going to the bottom of the frame. Dragons down to their final three outs. Jace Franklin would start it off by being hit, Will Lawrence followed that up with a double. Brady Moore then would reach on an error, scoring Franklin. T. Huffman, pitch hitting for Hasbrouck, knocked in Lawrence on a sacrifice fly. With 2 out, Dalton Presley reached on an error, which scored B. Moore. A fly out ended the Dragons rally as the Bruins escaped with a 5-3 win.
T. Huffman: 3IP, 4H, 4R, 2ER on 53 pitches & 1-2 with a single & 1 RBI
Andrew Hasbrouck: 4IP, 1R, 1ER, 1K on 36 pitches
Joseph Gossett: 2-4 with 2 singles
Dalton Presley: 1-4 with 1 single
Zack Moore: 1-3 with 1 single
Jace Franklin: 1 HBP & 1 run scored
Will Lawrence: 1-1 with a double & 1 run scored
Brady Moore: 1 run scored
Pickens will travel to Northwest Whitfield on Friday to wrap up the series with a doubleheader beginning at 5:30. The Dragons still lead the region standings, but by a slim margin:
Pickens: 3-1
LaFayette: 2-1
NW Whitfield: 5-2
Heritage: 4-2
Gilmer: 2-4
SE Whirfield: 2-4
Ridgeland: 1-5
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 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
Dragons’ Season Comes To An End In State Tournament
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 1, 2016
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 April 23, 2016
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 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.
Late Inning Magic Propel Dragons Past Cartersville
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 26, 2016
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.