Oakwood, Ga — It finally felt like Spring time weather on Thursday, March 23rd as the Pickens Dragons made the trip over to Oakwood, Ga to take on the West Hall Spartans in game 2 of their 3-game series. After winning game 1 on Tuesday, 12-2, the Dragons looked to keep up their winning ways and pick up their 3rd straight region series win. Hot bats and great pitching by James Tilley and Tee Knight, led to the Dragons taking game 2, 11-0 in 5 innings.

In the top of the first, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off with a single. He would be thrown out at 2nd as Trace Ledbetter reached on a fielder’s choice. After a double by Dawson Holland, he and Ledbetter would come in to score after Harlan Will reached on an error to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the Spartans led off with back to back singles.

Dragons starter James Tilley, collected himself and proceeded to strike out the side to send it to the second inning with the Dragons on top, 2-0.

In the top of the second, AJ Rice led off with a single. After advancing to 2nd, Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, drove in Rice to make it 3-0 Dragons. The Spartans, were able to get out of the top of the second with just the 1 run given up. In the bottom of the frame, Tilley picked up his 4th and 5th K of the game in between a fly out to Holland. Going to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-0.

In the top of the third, Holland led off with a single. Will, followed that up by drawing a 4-pitch walk. Trey Payne, then reached on an error. A 1-out RBI single from Rice brought in Holland to make it 4-0 Dragons. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, kept rolling as he picked up his 6th and 7th strikeout in between a grounder to Giddens. Going to the fourth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Colby Brooks led off by reaching on an error. Ledbetter, was than hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Holland, would drive in Brooks to make it 5-0. Tyler Payne, who came on to pitch hit for Will, knocked in Ledbetter with the RBI single to make it 6-0. A single from Trey Payne, brought in Holland to make it 7-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the fourth.

The bottom of the fourth was Tilley’s last inning of work. He struck out the side during the half inning to give him 10 on the night. Going to the top of the fifth, Pickens led West  Hall, 7-0.

In the top of the fifth, Giddens led off with a double. Brooks, followed with a single. Shouse, then followed that up with a single. Ledbetter, picked up his first hit of the game as the Dragons started the fifth by scoring 2 runs on 4 straight hits. Tyler Payne and Bradley Prince, hit back to back 1-out singles as both Shouse and Ledbetter would score. Going to the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 11-0.

Tee Knight, came on in relief of Tilley in the bottom of the fifth. After the lead off man reached on a walk, Knight would force a double play to get 2 quick outs. The Spartans, did not go quietly as the next two batters reached and were standing on 2nd and 3rd. Knight, got out of the trouble with no damage done as the Dragons took game 2, 11-0 in 5 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored

Dawson Holland: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 RBI and 3 runs scored

Harlan Will: 1 walk

Tyler Payne: 2-2 with 2 singles and 1 RBI

Trey Payne 1-3 with a single

Bradley Prince: 1-1 with a single and 1 RBI

AJ Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 1-3 with 1 single and 2 runs scored

James Tilley: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K on 58 pitches

The Dragons, win their third straight 7-AAA series as they move to 15-3 overall and 7-1 in region play. They stay atop the region standings along side Lumpkin, who is 14-2 overall and 7-1 in region play as well. The Dragons, will wrap up their series with the West Hall Spartans on Friday, March 24th, in Jasper. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.