Dragons pick up big win in pivotal series opener

Jasper, Ga — The #1 team in AAA, the Pickens Dragons, started another three game series in 6-AAA on Tuesday, March 10th against the North Hall Trojans. The Trojans, another top ten ranked team in AAA, were coming off a sweep of Greater Atlanta Christian last week. This series, could go a long way in determining the region champion. A 5-run second inning, propelled the Dragons to a big 5-3 win in game one.

 

The Dragons, who came into the game without the services of several players due to being sick, turned to Junior MT Crenshaw to start the game. The Trojans, got off to a quick start as Indiana commit Branson Crawford, would hit a lead off home run on the first pitch to make it, 1-0 Trojans. Ty Kemp, would follow that by drawing a walk. Crenshaw, would settle down to pick up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the frame.

In the bottom half of the first, Kam Jenkins, would look to get something going as he drew a full count walk with 2-out. Boogie Lowit, would then reach on an infield single that hit off the field umpire to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The Trojans, would get out of the first as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the second, North Hall led Pickens, 1-0.

 

In the top of the second, after a fly out and a ground out, Jayzen Johnson, would keep the inning alive for the Trojans with a 2-out double. Crenshaw, would get out of the second with a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Truitt Grubbs, would reach with a 1-out single. Brock Teal, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Tanner Bail, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out.

Robert Turner, would draw a walk of his own that would bring in Truitt Grubbs to tie the game at 1. Teal, would come in to score after a throwing error by Crawford to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Jenkins, would drive in both Bail and Turner with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-1. Jenkins, would advance to 2nd on the play. Lowit, would bring in courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 5-1 Dragons heading to the third.

 

Kemp, would draw his second walk of the game as he looked to get things going for the Trojans in the top of the third. After a fly out for the second out, Smith McGarvey, would reach with a 2-out single to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Thomas Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Crenshaw, would get out of the bases loaded jam with a pop out to send it to the bottom of the third.

Truitt Grubbs, would pick up his second hit of the game with a 1-out single. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Back to back strikeouts would get the Trojans out of potential danger and send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 5-1.

 

Kenny Foudy, would get things started for the Trojans in the fourth with a lead off double. Johnson, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Turner, would come in to relive Crenshaw and would pick up a strikeout for the first out. A hit and run called by the Trojans, would lead to an RBI single for Crawford as he drove in courtesy runner B. Allen to make it 5-2.

An RBI single by Ty Kemp, would bring in Johnson to make it 5-3. Turner, would get out of the fourth as the Dragons were able to turn a big double play to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Jennings Allen, would send the first pitch he saw in between the 1st and 2nd basemen for a 1-out single. The Trojans, would get out of the fourth with a pop out and a force out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons ahead, 5-3.

 

Turner, would come back out for the top of the fifth. Davis, would look to get things going for the Trojans with a 1-out single. After a strikeout, Turner and the Dragons, thought they got out of the fifth after a great diving stop by Everett Grubbs and a throw over to get Foudy at 1st, but the umpire ruled him safe. Turner, would get out of the fifth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, it was still 5-3 Dragons.

Everett Grubbs, would pick up his first hit of the game with a 1-out single. The Trojans, would get out of the fifth with back to back strikeouts. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led North Hall, 5-3.

 

Everett Grubbs, normally the game three starter, came on in relief of Turner for the top of the sixth. Grubbs, would need only five pitches to get out of the sixth as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth, Allen, would reach for the second time with a 2-out single. Crawford, still in the game having thrown 100 pitches, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons were still ahead, 5-3.

 

Everett Grubbs, came back out for the top of the seventh to try and close things out. Joab Bolton, would reach with a lead off single. The Dragons, would then turn a big 6-4-3 double play. E. Grubbs, would then field a ground ball and toss it to 1st to end the ball game and preserve a 5-3 win for the Dragons in game one of the series.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1 walk, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 2 IP, 4 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches

Jennings Allen: 2-4 with 2 singles

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 walk, 1 single, and 2 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 RBI

Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 12 pitches

Truitt Grubbs: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Brock Teal: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Tanner Bail: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

MT Crenshaw: 3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K on 65 pitches

 

The series will shift over to Gainesville on Thursday, March 12th for game two as the Dragons will look to pick up a big series win. The Trojans, will look to even up the series heading into game three on Friday. First pitch is set for 6 pm.