Dragons take series against War Eagles

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back home on Thursday, April 9th as they welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to Dunn Field for game two of their three game set. The Dragons, came into the game looking for a series win while the War Eagles, were looking to even up the series. Prior to the game, the Dragons all-time home run leader, Jake King, added to his total against the War Eagles. Early offense by the Dragons, helped seize control of the game as they would come away with a 9-2 victory.

 

Senior Christian Starks, made his 2nd start of the season as he took the mound for the Dragons. Starks, would work around a 2-out triple by Carter Edmonson as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Robert Turner, would reach with a lead off single up the middle. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position.

Jennings Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. Allen, would move up to 3rd after a ground out. Dawson Lowit, would reach after being hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. AJ Rice, would bring in Allen with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Lowit, would advance to 3rd on a fly out to put runners at the corners with 2-out. Rice, would swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd.

The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the top of the second, Pickens led Chestatee, 2-0.

 

In the top of the second, Starks, would toss another scoreless frame as he picked up a pop out and a pair of strikeouts. Everett Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. E. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would make it 3-0 Dragons. Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play. Turner, would draw the second walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out.

Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI double to make it 4-0. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0. Allen, would move up to 3rd on the play. Lowit, would be hit by a pitch for the second time to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Lowit, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Rice, would draw a walk to load the bases. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk of his own to bring in Allen to make it 6-0.

Starks, would help himself as he would drive in both Lowit and Rice with a 2-RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a pair of pop outs. Heading to the third, Pickens led Chestatee, 8-0.

 

The War Eagles, would look to get something going in the top of the third as E. Ertis, would draw a lead off walk. M. Allison, would then reach on an infield single. The Dragons, questioned if Allison interfered with Lowit’s attempt to catch the ball, but it was ruled that Allison didn’t. Ertis, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would settle in and would strike out the side to send it to the bottom of the inning with the Dragons still up, 8-0.

Turner, would reach base for a third time as he would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jenkins, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at 2nd. Turner, would move up to 3rd on the play. Turner, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 9-0. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would also move up to 2nd on the same pitch.

Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a line out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the War Eagles, 9-0.

 

Truitt Grubbs, would come on to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the fourth. He would pick up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. Drew Dunlap, in to hit for Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. Dunlap, would be left stranded at 2nd as the War Eagles would pick up a pop out, a strikeout, and a ground out to send it to the fifth with Pickens still leading, 9-0.

 

T. Grubbs, on in his second inning of relief, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to keep the War Eagles scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Jackson Walker, would reach on a bloop single to center with 1-out. Tanner Bail, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as courtesy runner MT Crenshaw would be forced out at 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with another force out as the Dragons still led it, 9-0 going to the sixth.

 

In the top of the sixth, Edmonson, would reach with a 2-out double. Cort Hagerman, would drive in Edmonson with an RBI single to make it 9-1. Trenton Eaton, would bring in Hagerman with an RBI double to make it 9-2. Chase Hulsey, who came in to pitch the top of the sixth for the Dragons, would limit the damage after picking up his second strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth on a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, Pickens now led Chestatee, 9-2.

 

Elijah Barton, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the seventh. Barton, would seal the win for Pickens as he would strike out the side on 13 pitches as the Dragons took game two, 9-2.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk,  1 steal, and 3 runs scored

Jennings Allen: 2-2 with 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 1 RBI

Jackson Walker: 1-1 with 1 single

Dawson Lowit: 2 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Truitt Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 RBI and 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 20 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 K on 40 pitches

Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single

Everett Grubbs: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 16 pitches

Elijah Barton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 13 pitches

 

With the win, the Dragons, pick up another series win and remain a game ahead of North Hall for the top spot in the region standings. The Dragons, will head back to Gainesville for the series finale against the Chestatee War Eagles on Friday, April 10th. First pitch is set for 6 pm.