Jasper, Ga — It was a cooler, somewhat windier morning for high school baseball as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Cass Colonels to Dunn Field for a late morning ball game. In what was a very well pitched game, the Dragons got some timely hits to pick up the 3-1 win.

In the top of the first, the Colonels plated 1 run on 3 walks, and 1 hit. The run came after Cass executed a double steal as the runner from 3rd came in as the throw was going to 2nd. Going to the bottom of the first, the Colonels led, 1-0. In the bottom of the first, Tyler Payne led off with a single. Connor Shouse, would take his place on 1st after the fielder’s choice. Trace Ledbetter, then drew a 2-out walk.

Pickens, would pull off the same double steal move that Cass used in the top half of the frame, as Shouse got in under the tag to tie it at 1. Going to the top of the second, the Dragons and Colonels were tied at 1.

The top of the second was a really good bounce back inning for Freshman AJ Rice as he induced a grounder, and picked up his 3rd and 4th strikeout of the game to keep it a 1-1. The Dragons, had a very short bottom of the second as well as they went down in order. Going to the top of the third, the Dragons and Colonels were still tied at 1.

In the top of the third, Cass got a 2-out triple, but that would be all as Rice forced a grounder to shortstop for the final out of the inning and to keep the game tied at 1. In the bottom half of the third, Colby Brooks led off by reaching 1st after laying down a great bunt. Shouse, would drive in Brooks with an RBI triple to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead over the Colonels going to the top of the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Rice, now pitching with the lead, had another excellent inning of work as he picked up 2 more strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth with the Dragons still up, 2-1. In the bottom of the fourth, Pickens got a 2-out double from their designated hitter Harlan Will, but that would be it as they’d go to the fifth with the Dragons leading the Colonels, 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, after giving up a lead off walk, Rice would then settle down and end his outing on a strong note. Rice, struck out two more batters and forced a pop up to 2nd as the Dragons still led, 2-1. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons worked a little 2-out magic as Shouse reached on a single. He would take 2nd after a bobble in the outfield by the center fielder.

Cade Sutton. would lace the very next pitch into left center to bring home Shouse on the RBI single. Pickens, would only get the one run in the bottom of the fifth as Cass got a come backer to the pitcher for the final out of the frame. Going to the top of the sixth, the Dragons now led the Colonels, 3-1.

In the top of the sixth, Tee Knight came on in relief of AJ Rice and he picked up right where Rice left off. Knight, would give up a 1-out single, but only needed 9 pitches to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons got a 2-out walk, but that would be all. Going to the seventh, the Dragons were still leading the Colonels, 3-1.

In the top of the seventh, JP Nunn came on in relief of Knight to try to close the game out. Nunn, would do just that as he kept the Colonels scoreless on 12 pitches to seal the 3-1 win for Pickens.

Stats for the Dragons:

Tyler Payne: 1-3 with a single

Connor Shouse: 2-3 with a triple, a single, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with a single & a walk

Harlan Will: 1-2 with a double & a walk

Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single & 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 5 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 9 K on 85 pitches

The Dragons, will be back on the road on Tuesday, February 28th as they head up to Blue Ridge to take on the Fannin Rebels in the first game of a home and home series. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.