Ringgold, Ga — The Pickens Dragons (8-7, 2-5) traveled to Ringgold in Catoosa County on Tuesday, March 23rd to begin a 3-game set in the 7-AAAA region with the Heritage Generals (11-3, 4-0). Coming into the series, the Dragons have run into some tough luck with some close losses, but came into the series with some momentum after a 7-2 win over Northwest Whitfield in game 3 of the series on Friday. Heritage, came into the series having spent the last week in out of region play. The Generals swept Southeast Whitfield two weeks ago. In another close ball game, the Generals were able to come away with a 6-5 win.

 

In the top of the 1st, Freshman Connor Shouse, who went 6-6 in the doubleheader against Northwest Whitfield on Friday, continued his hot hitting by leading off with a single. With 1-out, Hunter White was able to break up a double play attempt and reached 1st base. Seth Densmore then followed with a 2-out single. Heritage, was able to get out of the inning and keep it tied at zero. In the bottom of the 1st, the Generals used a long inning to take an early lead. Heritage, scored 4 runs on 3 hits to take a 4-0 lead going to the 2nd.

 

The Dragons would go quietly in the top of the 2nd as it remained 4-0 Generals. In the bottom half of the frame, Heritage plated another run to extend their lead out to 5-0 going to the 3rd.

 

In the top of the 3rd, the Generals again held the Dragons scoreless to keep it at 5-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, Densmore, now in his second full inning of relief, needed 13 pitches to send us to the top of the 4th, still 5-0 Heritage.

 

In the top of the 4th, the Dragons got things going. White, led off with a walk. Densmore, then would be hit by a pitch. After White advanced to 3rd and courtesy runner Colby Brooks advanced to 2nd, Drake Sutton drove in White with an RBI single. With 1-out, Sutton attempted to steal 2nd. While he was caught stealing, Brooks was able to come home on the throw. Going to the bottom of the inning, the Generals lead was now, 5-2. In the bottom of the 4th, Sutton came on in relief for Pickens. Sutton, would be able to get out of a little jam to keep the score, 5-2, going to the top of the 5th.

 

In the top of the 5th, the Dragons were unable to get things going as it would still be 5-2 going to the bottom of the frame. Sutton, needed only 10 pitches to retire the Generals in the bottom of the 5th. Going to the top of the 6th, Heritage still led Pickens, 5-2.

 

In the top of the 6th, the Dragons held a walk-a-thon. In total, the Dragons drew four walks in the top half of the 6th. The 4th walk of the inning, drawn by Trace Ledbetter, brought in White to make it 5-3 Generals. In the bottom of the 6th, Heritage would get that run back as we headed to the top of the 7th, with the Generals leading the Dragons, 6-3.

 

In the top of the 7th, the Dragons made their comeback attempt. James Tilley, led off by reaching on an error, Shouse, then followed with a double. With 2-out, Densmore drove in both Tilley and Shouse with a single to make it 6-5. Brooks, now running for Densmore, stole 2nd and the Dragons had the tying run in scoring position. The Generals, were able to force a ground out to preserve the win, 6-5.

 

Dragons Stats:

Connor Shouse: 2-4 with a single, a double, and 1 run scored

Hunter White: 2 walks and 2 runs scored

Seth Densmore: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 hit by pitch, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Drake Sutton: 1-4 with a single and 1 RBI

Jarod Whitmore: 1 walk

Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk and 1 RBI

James Tilley: 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 1 run scored

 

The Dragons and Generals, will face each other in Jasper on Friday, March 26th as games 2 and 3 of the series will be played. Game 2 of the series has a first pitch time of 5:30. Game 3 will be played shortly after the conclusion of game 2.