Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back on the diamond as they welcomed the North Murray Mountaineers to Dunn Field on Wednesday, March 1st, for a non-region tilt. The Dragons, defeated the region mate of the Mountaineers on Tuesday, February 28th, while the Mountaineers fell in a tough one to an old region mate of the Dragons, the Northwest Whitfield Bruins. Pickens, got a great start from James Tilley and the offense put up 10 runs to take this one in 5 innings.

In the top of the first, Tilley got off to a strong start as he induced 2 gound outs, and picked up his first strikeout of the game during a 12 pitch top half of the first inning. In the bottom half of the first, the Dragons got a 1-out walk from Trace Ledbetter. The Mountaineers, were able to turn a double play and send it to the top of the second, with the game still scoreless.

In the top of the second, Tilley said hot from the mound as he picked up his 2nd & 3rd K of the game in another 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the second, the Dragons got back to back walks from the Payne brothers as Tyler and Trey were on base with nobody out. After a fly out by Dawson Holland advanced Tyler Payne to 3rd, Harlan Will drove him in with an RBI single. Tilley, helped himself out as he followed that up an RBI single to bring in Trey Payne.

The Mountaineers, were able to get out of the bottom of the second as they turned their 2nd double play of the game to avoid any more damage. Going to the top of the third, Pickens now led North Murray, 2-0.

In the top of the third, Tilley, continued his fantastic start as he would strikeout the side to bump his total to 6 on the night. The bottom of the third got a little wacky so stick with me. Connor Shouse, led off with a single. Ledbetter, then followed that up with a walk. Cade Sutton, then reached on an error. Shouse, would be thrown out at home as Tyler Payne reached on a fielder’s choice. The same happened to Ledbetter as he would be out at home as Trey Payne reached on a fielder’s choice as well.

Holland, knocked a single through which scored Sutton to make it 3-0. A wild pitch brought in Tyler Payne and Trey Payne came in on a throwing error by the catcher. Holland, would also come in to score to make it 6-0. Will, Tilley, and Evan Giddens all drew walks consecutively to load the bases. Shouse, the career RBI record holder for Pickens Baseball, added to his total as he brought 3 runs in on an RBI triple. Shouse, would also come in to score on the play after a throwing error to make it 10-0 Dragons going to the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Tilley came back out after the long bottom of the third. The Mountaineers, got their first hit of the game, but Tilley would strikeout the side for the 2nd inning in a row to give him 9 on the evening. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons would go down quietly and we’d go to the top of the fifth with the Dragons leading, 10-0.

In the top of the fifth, the career saves leader for Pickens Baseball, JP Nunn, came on in relief of Tilley to close this one out. Nunn, would strike out the side in between giving up a walk and a single to give the Dragons the 10-0 win in 5 inning.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 2-3 with 3 RBI & 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 2 walks

Cade Sutton: 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1 walk, & 2 runs scored

Trey Payne: 1 walk, & 2 runs scored

Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a single & 1 run scored

Harlan Will: 1-1 with a single & a walk

James Tilley: 1-1 with a single, 1 RBI, & 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K on 55 pitches

Evan Giddens: 1 walk & 1 run scored

Tee Knight: 1 run scored

Jackie Jarrett: 1 run scored

JP Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K on 20 pitches