The Pickens Dragons’ baseball team maintained the momentum from its upset victory over Cartersville on Friday, as the team made a late rally to beat the Southeast Whitfield Raiders by the final score of 7-6.Southeast Whitfield started the scoring in this game in the top of the second inning of play, as three hits by the Raiders led to a 3-0 lead going into the bottom half of the inning. However, this lead soon evaporated, as an error on a pickoff attempt allowed Dylan Clark to score and a double by centerfielder Jake Dean brought in third baseman Eric Justice. Two walks then loaded up the bases for the Dragons, which meant that Taylor Logan’s unfortunate circumstance of getting hit by a pitch tied the game at 3-3.

The Dragons took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the third, when smart base running by Dylan Clark put the left fielder in scoring position and allowed him to score easily on a single to center field by Jake Dean. Pickens increased their lead an inning later, as Taylor Logan’s line drive double to center field brought in Tanner Brumby and made the score 5-3. Not to be outdone by Logan, Joe Powell followed up with a double of his own, making the score 6-3.

Two runs by Southeast Whitfield in the top of the fifth left the Dragon fans in attendance on their toes, and a single in the 6th that drove in a run meant that the game was knotted up at 6. While some would have been worried with the situation, none of the Dragons panicked, instead doing all the little things to retake the lead. A groundout by Taylor Logan in the bottom of the 6th advanced the Dragons’ go-ahead run to third base with two outs, and a ground ball that was hustled out by Joe Powell led to a “safe” call at first base and a 7-6 lead for Pickens.

Determined to hold onto the lead and never look back, Eric Justice, who came in relief of starting pitcher Colton Prather after five innings of work, did his best Craig Kimbrel impression in the bottom of the seventh inning, striking out the side to preserve a 7-6 victory for the Dragons, their second win in a row.

Jake Dean had an impressive game all around for Pickens on this night, going 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs in the win. Also coming up big for the Dragons was Joe Powell, the winning pitcher from the Cartersville upset that went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs—including the winning run—in Monday’s game.

Up next for the Dragons is a matchup against the Cedartown Bulldogs on Thursday afternoon. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:55.