A.J. Rice Archives - PickensPickens

Dragons season ends in extra innings

LaGrange, Ga — It was win or go home for both the Pickens Dragons and Troup County Tigers on Wednesday, May 14th as they were set to do battle in a series deciding game three. The winner, would go on to the AAA State Championship series where they would meet Cherokee Bluff. In a back and forth battle with a ton of drama and emotion, it was the Tigers that would come away with a 7-6 victory in 8 innings.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom half of the frame, D. Moncus and C. Walker would reach with back to back 1-out singles. After a line out, C. Wilson, would drive in Moncus with an RBI single. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a line out. Heading to the second, the Tigers led it, 1-0.

In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would reach on a two base error. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a strikeout and a line out. In the bottom of the inning, J. Perry, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Perry, would then advance to 2nd on an error. Perry, would then move up to 3rd after a ground out. T. Delaney, would bring in Perry with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Tigers.

Delaney, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. A single by G. Edwards, would put runners at the corners with 1-out. Moncus, would drive in Delaney with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Edwards and Moncus, would then execute a double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. A sacrifice fly RBI by Walker, would bring in Delaney to make it 4-0. The Dragons, would get out of the second with a strikeout as the Tigers led 4-0 heading to the third.

In the top of the third, Matthew Davis, would lead off with the Dragons first hit of the game. He would be left stranded as the Tigers picked up a pop out, a line out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the third, Daven Abernathy, who came on to record the final two outs of the second, worked around a 2-out walk and hit batsman to keep the Tigers scoreless. Heading to the fourth, the Tigers still led the Dragons, 4-0.

Cade Sutton, would lead off the top of the fourth with a single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a strikeout, Christian Starks, would load the bases with the 3rd hit of the inning. Sam Hammontree, would put the Dragons on the board as he brought in Sutton with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 4-1.

Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Starks, would then move up a base after a balk was called. Davis, would draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Dawson Holland, would drive in both Dunlap and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-3. A.J. Rice, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to tie the game at 4. The Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the inning, Abernathy, would toss a 1-2-3 frame as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the game was tied at 4.

In the top of the fifth, Lowit, would look to get something going with a 2-out single. The Tigers, would get out of the fifth after a dropped 3rd strike. Abernathy, continued his stellar outing in relief in the bottom of the fifth as he picked up a fly out and a pair of ground outs to send it to the sixth with the score still deadlocked at 4.

In the top of the sixth, Davis, would draw a four pitch walk to reach 1st with one out. Holland, would then reach on a fielders’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would keep the inning going by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland and Rice, would then move up a base after a wild pitch. Jennings Allen, would draw a walk to load the bases.

The Tigers, would get out of the bases loaded jam by forcing a fly out. T. Dean, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Dean, would advance to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt. Delaney, would drive in Dean with an RBI single to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth after a fly out and a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Tigers led it, 5-4.

In the top of the seventh, Lowit, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. Starks, would follow that up with a double for his 2nd hit of the day. Down 0-2, Hammontree, would clutch up and drive in both pitch runner Ezra Faber and Starks with a 2-RBI single to give the Dragons a 6-5 lead. Davis, would then reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.

Holland, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day to load the bases. The Tigers, would yet again get out of a bases loaded jam after forcing a pair of fly outs. Heading to the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons led it, 6-5. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy for the bottom of the seventh. F. Baltzell, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would pick up a strikeout for the first out.

C. Mosley, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Dean, would bring in Baltzell with an RBI single to tie the game at 6. The Dragons, would get out of the seventh as Jenkins would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out. Heading to the eighth, the game was tied at 6.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the eighth after a pair of fly outs and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Edwards, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Moncus, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After an intentional walk, Baltzell, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Edwards would be forced out at home. B. Willis, would bring in Moncus with an RBI single to give the Tigers the 7-6 win in 8 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Jennings Allen: 1 walk

Cade Sutton: 1-5 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles

Christian Starks: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, and 3 RBI

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

Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles, and 2 RBI

Ezra Faber: 1 run scored

The Dragons end their season at 32-7 having made their deepest run in the State Tournament in school history. The Seniors, have been a part of building a program that has seen its most successful run to date. They leave not only the most winningest class in Pickens baseball history, but a standard for the classes after them to follow. Congratulations to the Pickens Dragons baseball team on a memorable season.

Dragons split doubleheader with Tigers; force deciding game three

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 14, 2025 , by RJ Casey

LaGrange. Ga — The Final Four kicked off on Tuesday, May 13th as four teams were just two wins away from the AAA State Championship series. For the #8 seeded Pickens Dragons, they made the couple hour trip down to LaGrange to take on the #4 seeded Troup County Tigers. The Tigers, would take game one of the doubleheader, 8-0. Just when it looked like the Tigers were on the verge of a sweep, the Dragons would make a late come back to take game two, 5-4.

Game One:

The Dragons, would go quietly in the top of first after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame, D. Moncus would reach with a 1-out double. C. Walker, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. F. Baltzell, would then draw a walk to load the bases. B. Willis, would bring in Moncus with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Tigers.

An RBI sacrifice fly from C. Mosley, would drive in Walker to make it 2-0. Baltzell, would be thrown out at home as the Tigers attempted a double steal. Heading to the second, the Tigers led it, 2-0.

In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would draw a full count walk to reach base. Christian Starks, would follow that up with a double. Lowit, would be thrown out at home trying to score from 1st. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would toss a scoreless inning with a pop out, a fly out, and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Tigers still led it, 2-0.

Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a lead off single. The Tigers, would get out of the third after a strikeout, a line out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Moncus, would reach with his 2nd hit of the day. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a line out, Baltzell, would be intentionally walked. Willis, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out.

Moncus and Baltzell, would both come in to score after an error to make it 4-0 Tigers heading to the fourth.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fourth after a pair of strikeouts and a line out. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers, would extend their lead by plating 4 runs on several hits, a walk, and a hit batsman. Heading to the fifth, the Tigers, led the Dragons, 8-0.

In the top of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, would reach with a 1-out single. After a strikeout, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Both runners would advance a base after a passed ball. The Tigers, would get out of the fifth with a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, Ezra Faber, who came on in relief of Nunn in the fourth, would work around some trouble to send it to the sixth with the Tigers still leading it, 8-0.

In the top of the sixth, Cade Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a double play. In the bottom of the inning, Faber, would work around a 2-out hit batsman and a wild pitch to keep the Tigers scoreless. Heading to the seventh, Troup led Pickens, 8-0.

Starks, would lead off the top of the seventh with his 2nd hit of the day. The Tigers, would turn their 2nd double play in as many innings to clear the bases. A 2-out single by Davis, would keep the inning going. The Tigers, would end the game with a strikeout as they would take the first game by a score of 8-0.

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Cade Sutton: 1 walk

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single

Dawson Lowit: 1 walk

Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double and 1 single

Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single

Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 2 singles

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single

Game Two:

The Dragons, were the home team for the second game. In the top of the first, C. Walker, would reach with a 2-out double. F. Baltzell, would drive in Walker with an RBI single. Baltzell, would be thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch it into a double. In the bottom of the first, A.J. Rice, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. After a pop out, Rice, would advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Rice, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to swipe the bag.

The Tigers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, the Tigers led the Dragons, 1-0.

Rice, the Dragons starter for game two, would keep the Tigers scoreless in the second as he picked up a ground out, as well as his 2nd and 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second with a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Tigers still led it, 1-0.

In the top of the third, the Tigers, would extend their lead with 3 runs on 2 hits, 2 passed balls, 2 steals, and 1 hit by pitch. Heading to the bottom of the third, the Tigers now led the Dragons, 4-0. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Holland, would reach with a 1-out single. After a strikeout, Rice, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out knock. Christian Starks, would then draw a walk to load the bases.

Holland, would come in to score as Cade Sutton would draw the bases loaded walk to cut the lead to 4-1. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a fly out to send it to the fourth with Troup leading Pickens, 4-1.

In the top of the fourth, Rice, would work around a 1-out walk to pick up a ground out, a strikeout, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would draw a lead off walk. The Tigers, would turn their third double play of the series for the first two outs. A ground out, would send it to the fifth with the Tigers still leading it, 4-0.

Rice, would keep the Tigers at bay in the top of the fifth as he would work around a 2-out single to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at 2nd. Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Sutton, would then draw his 2nd walk of the game to load the bases.

The Tigers, would escape the bases loaded jam with a ground out. Heading to the sixth, the Tigers, still led the Dragons, 4-1.

In the top of the sixth, Rice, still on the mound nearing 100 pitches for the game, worked around a 1-out walk to strike out the side to bring his total to 9 on the night. In the bottom of the inning, Lowit, would lead off by getting hit by a pitch. Sam Hammontree, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Matthew Davis, would bring in Lowit with an RBI double to cut the lead to 4-2.

Holland, would follow that up with a 2-RBI double that would score pitch runner Ezra Faber, and Davis to tie the game at 4. After a strikeout, Holland, would move up to 3rd on a passed ball. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Starks, would bring in Holland with an RBI ground out to give the Dragons a 5-4 lead. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-4.

Rice, nearing the limit for pitches, came out to start the seventh, he would pick up his 10 strike out for the first out. G. Edwards, would reach with a 1-out single. Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Rice to try and close things out. Moncus, would reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Walls, would come back to pick up a strikeout and a ground out to seal the 5-4 win for the Dragons and force a deciding game three.

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, & 6.1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K on 118 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Cade Sutton: 2 walks and 1 RBI

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

Sam Hammontree: 1 walk

Ezra Faber: 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single

Dylan Walls: 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 8 pitches

The third and final game of the series will take place on Wednesday, May 14th. The winner, will go on to the AAA State Championship series where they will take on the winner of game three between Cherokee Bluff and Peach County. First pitch time for game three between the Dragons and the Tigers is scheduled for 5 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Christian Starks Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Dylan Walls Ezra Faber Final Four Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Troup County Tigers

Dragons pull off shocker; Advance to Final Four

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 8, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Harlem, Ga — A trip to the Final Four was on the line as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Harlem to take on the #1 seeded Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 7th. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs, were sporting a 107-3 record since 2023, and were ranked 10th in the nation by MaxPreps. The Dragons, came in winners of five straight, and were looking to avenge last year’s loss. The Dragons, would do just that as they swept the doubleheader, 8-3 and 5-1.

Game one:

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, D. Titus would look to get something going by drawing a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. A. Fox, would give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead with a 2-run double. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the second, the Bulldogs led the Dragons, 2-0.

In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Dawson Lowit, would follow by drawing a walk of his own. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come around to score as Matthew Davis reached on an error. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to bring in Lowit to tie the game at 2.

A.J. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at home. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, D. Smith would draw a 1-out walk. The Bulldogs, would then decide to test the arm of Kam Jenkins and Jenkins would throw out Smith at 2nd.

Starks, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to get out of the second and send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-2.

In the top of the third, Lowit, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would follow with a single to load the bases. Holland, would bring in both Lowit and pitch runner Ezra Faber with a 2-RBI single to make it 6-2 Dragons. Davis, would come in to score after Allen reached on a fielder’s choice.

The Bulldogs, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 7-2.

In the top of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton and courtesy runner Dunlap, would move up a base on a dropped 3rd strike. Sutton would come in to score as Faber would reach on an error as the ball fell in between the pitcher and the 1st baseman.

The Bulldogs, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. The Bulldogs, would look to get something started to begin the bottom of the fourth as A. Fox would draw a walk, and B. Knight would be hit by a pitch. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout, T. Lindo would reach with a 1-out single to load the bases.

Abernathy, would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out to get out of the jam and send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 8-2.

In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as the Bulldogs would pick up a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, D. Titus, would lead off with a double. Titus, would look to advance to 3rd after a passed ball, but he would be thrown out. W. Holder and S. Harshbarger would then reach with back to back singles.

The Dragons, would get out of the fifth after turning a 4-6-3 double play. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Harlem, 8-2.

The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth on a pair of strikeouts and a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, would pick up the first two outs on a pair of strikeouts. T. Lindo, would keep the inning alive for the Bulldogs with a 2-out single. D. Reed, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo with an RBI single to make it 8-3.

Abernathy, would get out of the sixth with his 3rd strikeout of the inning to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 8-3.

Faber, would lead off the seventh with a single. Davis, would move Faber up to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Faber, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Holland. The Bulldogs, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. W. Holder, would lead off the bottom of the seventh with a double. Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Abernathy. After an intentional walk, the Dragons would pick up a fly out for the first out.

Walls, would then force a pop out and a line out to close things out as the Dragons would take game one, 8-3.

Stats for the Dragons in Game one:

Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 54 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk

Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 2 runs scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single

Ezra Faber: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored

Daven Abernathy: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K on 53 pitches

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches

Game two:

For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would be the home team. In the top of the first, D. Titus would draw a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow that up with a single. After the Dragons decided to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases for a chance at a force out at any base, starter A.J. Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the early jam.

The Dragons, would go down quietly in the bottom of the first on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.

Rice, would toss a 1-2-3 top of the second with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would follow that with an RBI double that scored Lowit to make it 1-0 Dragons. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch it into a triple. The Bulldogs, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.

Rice, picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Georgia Southern commit Will Holder, would strike out the side to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0.

Rice, would continue his nice outing with a scoreless fourth inning as he picked up his 6th strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach on a 1-out triple. After a strikeout, Sutton, would come in to score as Lowit would reach on an error. Starks, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.

Pitch runner Zach Williams, would come around to score on a single by Sam Hammontree to make it 3-0 Dragons. Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Dawson Holland, would add to the lead with a 2-RBI double that scored Starks and Hammontree. It looked like Davis got under the tag, but he would be called out to end the fourth. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 5-0.

Rice, would pick up his 7th, 8th, and 9th strikeout in the top of the fifth as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on a line out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 5-0.

The Bulldogs, would look to make it a game in the top of the sixth as W. Spivey, D. Titus, and Holder, reached back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. Rice, would settle down as he picked up his 10th and 11th strikeout and a ground out to get out of the sixth without any damage done. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Harlem, 5-0.

Dylan Walls would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh to try and close things out. After a line out, T. Lindo, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Lindo, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. D. Smith, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. An RBI single by W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo to make it 5-1. Walls, would settle in and pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out.

Walls, would then get Holder to ground out to Rice at short. Rice would step on 2nd to force out Spivey and the Dragons would take game two, 5-1 to sweep the series and advance to the Final Four.

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K on 105 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1 walk

Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 double and 2 RBI

Zach Williams: 1 run scored

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches

The Dragons, will have to be road warriors once again as they head down to LaGrange to take on Troup County in a best of three series starting on Tuesday, May 13th in a doubleheader.

Dragons sweep Grangers to punch Elite 8 ticket

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 2, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — The Sweet 16 for the GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Thursday, May 1st. The #8 seeded Pickens Dragons, hosted the #9 seeded LaGrange Grangers in a best of three series where the winner would advance to the Elite 8. Pitching and clutch hitting were on display for the Dragons on Thursday as they took game one 4-0, and waited out another storm to take game two, 8-1.

Game One:

Junior Christian Starks, got the call to start game one for the Dragons. Starks, would get off to a nice start as he would induce three ground ball outs in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Grangers starter Sinjon Lash, would begin his outing by striking out the side to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.

In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his first two strikeouts of the game and a fly out in a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the inning, Kam Jenkins, would lead off by drawing a full count walk. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would help himself out as he would drive in courtesy runner Drew Dunlap with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.

Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out of his own to make it 2-0. Matthew Davis, would then work the second full count walk of the inning to keep the bottom of the second going for the Dragons. Lash and the Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-0.

Cooper Stephens, would lead off the top of the third with a single for the first hit of the game for the Grangers. Starks, would work around that as he picked up his 3rd strike out, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, A.J. Rice, would lead off with a first pitch single. After a fly out, Rice would advance to 2nd after a pick off attempt got by the first baseman.

After a strikeout for the 2nd out, Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would advance to 2nd after an error by the right fielder. Sutton, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game as he would bring in the courtesy runner, Dunlap, with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Sutton, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd.

Starks, would keep the inning alive by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Hammontree, would come up unlucky as his liner was barely caught and held onto by Lane to end the third and send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 4-0.

Rob Skinner, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. The Grangers, would leave Skinner stranded at 3rd as Starks would get out of the fourth with three fly outs. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Holland, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Holland, would move up to 2nd after a ground out by Rice. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.

In the top of the fifth, after a line out and a strikeout for the first two outs, Kayden Sutton, would draw a walk to keep the inning going. Starks, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would reach base for a third time after being hit by a pitch with two outs. Sutton, would then be caught in a run down to end the fifth. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 4-0.

Grady Westmoreland, would lead off the top of the sixth with a single. After a fly out and a pop out, Westmoreland, would get into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Starks, would get out of the sixth with a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth after a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.

Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Starks for the top of the seventh. Brandon Bennett, thought he had a lead off line drive single, but Rice, would lay out and make a great catch for the first out. Lash, would hit a come backer off the foot of Walls. Walls, would stay with it and flip it to 1st for the second out. Walls, would seal the 4-0 win for the Dragons with a strikeout.

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

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

Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 87 pitches

Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI

Matthew Davis: 1 walk

Dawson Holland: 1 walk

Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 15 pitches

Game Two:

For game two of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would become the visitors. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the first with a double play to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Grant Westmoreland, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, Westmoreland, would advance to 2nd after a ground out.

Mason Calhoun, would drive in Westmoreland with an RBI double to put the Grangers up 1-0. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would get out of the first with his 2nd strikeout of the inning. Heading to the second, LaGrange led Pickens, 1-0.

Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a double. Cade Sutton, would follow that up by drawing a walk. Jenkins’ courtesy runner, Drew Dunlap, would take 3rd on a wild pitch. The Grangers, thought they had Dunlap picked off at 3rd, but a balk was called which led to Dunlap coming in to score to tie the game at 1. Sutton, would move up to 2nd on the call.

Christian Starks, would keep the line moving with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out to make it 2-1 Dragons. Starks, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Matthew Davis. The Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, Cooper Stephens, would reach with a 1-out single.

After a strikeout, Jackson Bozeman, would reach with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Rice, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-1.

The top of the third was a mirror of the first inning as Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the third with their 2nd double play of the game. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would strikeout the side to bring his total up to 7 for the game. As they were about to start the fourth, the rains came.

After a delay of about an hour or so, the two teams came back out onto the field to resume the game. In the top of the fourth, Starks, would reach with a 2-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Brandon Bennett, would lead off the bottom of the fourth, by getting hit by a pitch. Rice, still in as the starter, would settle down to strike out the side. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Grangers, 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, Dawson Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Rice, would help himself out by driving in Holland with an RBI double to make it 3-1. Allen, would reach base for a third time on the night as he drew a walk. Both Rice and Allen would advance after a passed ball on the play. Dawson Lowit, affectionately known as “Boogie”, would bring both Rice and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-1.

Jenkins, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 6-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the fifth with a pop out and a fly out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, Pickens led LaGrange, 6-1. Rice, would continue his dominance in the bottom of the fifth.

Rice, would pick up two ground outs and his 11th strikeout in a scoreless fifth inning. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 6-1.

In the top of the sixth, Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out, full count walk. He would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. The Grangers, would get out of the sixth with back to back strikeouts. Rice, would begin the bottom of the sixth by striking out his 12th batter. Mason Calhoun, would then reach on a dropped 3rd strike. He would advance to 2nd on an error.

Rice, would respond by picking up two more strikeouts giving him four for the inning, and 15 on the night. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 6-1.

Lowit, would lead off the top of the seventh by beating out an infield single. Lowit, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Jenkins, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would then draw his 3rd walk of the game to load the bases. Lowit, would come in to score and courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd as the Grangers would turn a double play.

Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with an RBI double to make it 8-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the frame, the Dragons led it, 8-1.

Rice, would come back out for the bottom of the seventh to try and finish the complete game. Rice, would start the bottom of the seventh by picking up his 16th strikeout. After a ground out to 1st for the second out, Rice, would pick up his 17th strikeout to finish off the complete game as the Dragons defeat the LaGrange Grangers 8-1 to advance to the Elite 8.

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 HBP, 17 K on 109 pitches

Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 HBP, and 1 walk

Cade Sutton: 3 walks and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles

Sam Hammontree: 1-4 with 1 double and 2 RBI

Dawson Holland: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

The Dragons, will now wait to see who they will face and where they will be for the Elite 8. The Dragons, will face the winner of the Harlem/Whitewater series. Should Harlem win, the Dragons will be making the trip down to Augusta for the second straight year. Should Whitewater win, the Dragons will be hosting the Elite 8 series. The Elite 8, will begin on Wednesday, May 7th with a doubleheader. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 8th.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Caden Kirchoff Christian Starks Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Drew Dunlap Dylan Walls Elite 8 Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins LaGrange Grangers Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Sweet 16

Dragons advance to fourth straight Sweet 16

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was the start of the AAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday, April 25th as the #8 seed Pickens Dragons, took on the #25 seed Dougherty Trojans in a best of three series in the first round. The Dragons, would take game one, 16-1 in four innings. Game two, was back and forth with the Dragons breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. After waiting out a line of storms, the Dragons defeated the Trojans in game two, 12-1 to sweep the series.

Game one:

In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. After a fly out, Rice, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. He would then move up to 3rd after a balk was called. Rice, would then come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons.

Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to reach 1st. Kam Jenkins, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Dawson Lowit, would bring in Sutton to score after reaching on an error by the short stop. Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons.

Lowit, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowit and Davis with a 2-run single to make it 5-0. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Rice, would drive in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons after one.

Rice, would pick up where he left off in the top of the first as he struck out a pair and forced a ground out in a scoreless second. In the bottom of the second, Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.

Hammontree, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Davis, would bring in both Dunlap and Hammontree with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the third.

In the top of the third, Kingston Offord, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans with a lead off single. Offord, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, Offord, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Offord, would come in to score as Joshua Weaver would reach on an error to make it 10-1. Jenkins, would throw out Weaver trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons ahead, 10-1.

Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. The Trojans, would then pick up a double play as Sutton would line out to short, and Starks would be caught in no-man’s-land as he would get thrown out at 1st. The Trojans, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Dougherty, 10-1.

Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. Faber, would work around a 1-out walk as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Lowit, would lead off with a double. Hammontree, would then reach on an error as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff would advance to 3rd on the play. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.

Davis, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 11-1. Holland, would then drive in Hammontree with a single to make it 12-1. Allen, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-RBI triple to make it 14-1. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Rice, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 15-1.

Starks, would draw a walk to again put runners at the corners. Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to walk it off and seal the game one win for the Dragons, 16-1.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 walk on 49 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk

Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI and 2 runs scored

Matthew Davis: 3-3 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored

Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

Jennings Allen: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches

Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

Game two:

For game two, the teams flipped sides with Dougherty being the designated home team. In the top of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Rice, would be picked off at 2nd. It looked like he had gotten his foot underneath the tag, but he was called out. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.

Dragons starter Christian Starks, would toss a scoreless bottom of the first with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.

In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a double. An error by the left fielder, would allow Jenkins to come around to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sam Hammontree, would be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a fly out, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.

Jennings Allen, would then work a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. The Trojans, would get out of the bases loaded jam as they would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Starks, would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a ground out, a fly out and a pop out. The Trojans, would also go down in order in the bottom of the inning as Starks would induce three ground outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.

In the top of the fourth, it was more of the same for the Dragons as they went down 1-2-3 a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Miller, would reach with a lead off double. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. Courtesy runner Rodney Pruitt, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would then make a great play as he would catch a pop fly tailing into foul territory, and then turn and throw the back towards home.

A 2-out RBI single by Kameron Knighton, would bring in Pruitt to tie the game at 1. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the game all knotted up at 1.

Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a pop out, Holland, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Abernathy, hitting in Starks’ spot, would draw a walk to load the bases. The Dragons, thought they had taken the lead as it looked like Cade Sutton had reached on a fielder’s choice.

However, the umpires would call interference on Abernathy which meant Sutton would be called out, ending the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, after a strikeout, Kingston Offord, would reach on a 1-out single. Offord, would then advance to 2nd on a ground out. Offord, would then take a risk and steal 3rd with 2-outs. Brayden Still, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners.

Still, would then advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Abernathy, would settle in and pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 1.

In the top of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would reach on an error by the short stop. Hammontree and Matthew Davis, would then be hit by back to back pitches to load the bases with 1-out. Holland, would clear the bases with a 3-run triple to make it 4-1 Dragons. Allen, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-1. The Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out.

Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Abernathy in the bottom of the sixth. After Walls forced a ground out for the first out, the storms came. After a couple hour delay, the game would resume. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Walls. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth as Lowit would throw out a would be base stealer, and Jenkins would induce a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-1.

In the top of the seventh, Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own. Lowit, would follow suit and draw a third straight walk to load the bases. Zach Williams, pitch-hitting for Hammontree, would bring in both Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 7-1. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 8-1.

After Davis was hit by a pitch, Holland, would draw a walk to load the bases. Allen, would bring in both Williams and Davis to make it 10-1. Holland, would then come in to score on a balk to make it 11-1. Allen, would come in to score on a passed ball to make it 12-1. The Trojans, would get out of the seventh with a double play. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 12-1.

In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would work around a 1-out hit batsman as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts as the Dragons defeated the Trojans, 12-1 to sweep the series.

Stats for the Dragons in Game two:

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, and 2 walks

Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 double and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 47 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, and 2 K on 19 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 1 walk

Sam Hammontree: 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored

Zach Williams: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 2 hit by pitch and 2 runs scored

Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored

Daven Abernathy: 1 walk and 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 35 pitches

Dylan Walls: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 5 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored

With the series win, the Dragons, advance to the Sweet 16 where they will take on the #9 seed LaGrange Grangers. LaGrange, swept the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the next round. The best of three series will begin on Thursday, May 1st, with a doubleheader. Times yet to be determined as of this writing.

Dragons split doubleheader with GAC to end regular season

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Norcross, Ga — The regular season of high school baseball was winding down as the Pickens Dragons took to the road to take on the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th. By virtue of their win on Tuesday, the Dragons, locked up the #2 seed in 6-AAA with an outside shot at the #1 seed. The Spartans, came in wanting to improve their post season ranking before they go off to their tournament. The Spartans, would take game two, 5-3. The Dragons, would come back to take game three, 7-5.

Game 1:

A.J. Rice, would lead off the top of the first with a single. The Spartans, would then turn a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the first as Sutton would be caught trying to take 3rd on a double steal attempt.

Z. Koons, would lead off the bottom of the first by getting hit with the first pitch he saw. D. Watkins, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Dragons, would then decide to intentionally walk J. Bowens to load the bases. After a strikeout, S. Phillips, would bring in Koons with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Spartans.

T. Joiner, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Spartans were ahead, 1-0.

Sam Hammontree, would look to get something started as he would draw a walk with 1-out. After a pop out for the second out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going for the Dragons with a 2-out single to load the bases. Rice, would give the Dragons the lead with a bases clearing 3-RBI double. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error by the short stop to put runners at the corners.

The Spartans, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, H. Glime, would lead off with a single. P. Wilson, would follow that by drawing a walk. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would force Koons to ground into a 4-3 double play. Glime, would advance to 3rd on the play. Watkins, would then drive in Glime with an RBI single to make it 3-2 Dragons.

Starks, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-2.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of pop outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the game for the first out. Philips, would reach after being hit by a pitch. After a ground out, M. Lazarus, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks, would get out of the third with his 3rd strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led it, 3-2.

Dawson Holland, would lead off the fourth by drawing a full count walk. He would be left stranded as the Spartans would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double. After a strikeout, Koons, would advance to 3rd after a throwing error. After intentionally walking Bowens, I. Cobb, would bring in both Koons and Bowens with a 2-RBI double.

The Dragons, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3.

The Dragons, would again go down quietly in the top of the fifth after a ground out, a fly out, and a dropped 3rd strike. After a fly out, Lazarus, would look to get something started for the Spartans by drawing a walk. Lazarus, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Glime, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.

Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, Koons, would draw a walk to load the bases. Walls, would pick up a strikeout to get out of the fifth and keep it a 4-3 game heading to the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would look to get a rally going as he drew his 2nd walk of the game. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Davis, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Bowens, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to make it 5-3 Spartans.

Cobbs, would follow that up with a single. Phillips, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner R. Umphenour, would be forced out at 2nd. Walls, would get out of the sixth after forcing a double play. Heading to the seventh, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.

After a ground out and a strikeout, Sutton, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk. The Spartans, were able to close things out with a ground out to take game one of the doubleheader, 5-3.

Stats for the Dragons in game one:

A.J. Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 3 RBI

Christian Starks: 4.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K on 89 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk

Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single

Sam Hammontree: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1 walk

Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Dylan Walls: 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches

Game 2:

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Ezra Faber, would work around a pair of back to back hit batsmen to get out of an early jam with a pair of ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.

Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a single. The Spartans, would clear the bases with a 4-6-3 double play. A ground out, would get the Spartans out of the second. Faber, would only need 9 pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.

Dawson Holland, would lead off the third by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a strikeout, A.J. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons.

The Spartans, would get out of the third after Starks would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Z. Koons, would pick up the first hit for the Spartans with a 1-out single. Koons, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a line out, the Dragons would intentionally walk J. Bowens, Faber, would force a line out for the second out.

A 2-out RBI single by I. Cobbs, would bring in Koons to tie the game at 1. M. Lazarus, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Bowens, would come in to score after a wild pitch. H. Glime, would bring in both Cobbs and Lazarus with a 2-RBI single. Glime, would advance to 2nd on the throw. T. Stopher, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Faber, would get out of the inning after a fly out. Heading to the fourth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-1.

In the top of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out single. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases.

Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3. Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber in the bottom of the fourth. After a strikeout, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double.

D. Watkins, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Bowens, would bring in Koons with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a fly out.Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.

Cade Sutton, would look to get something going for the Dragons as he drew a walk with 1-out. Jenkins, would follow that with a single. Lowit, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Hammontree, would then draw the third walk of the inning to bring in Sutton to make it 5-4. Holland, would draw the fourth walk of the inning as Jenkins would come in to score to tie the game at 5.

After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Hammontree, would come in to score as Allen would reach on an error by the short stop. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth after Rice would be robbed of a potential home run. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5. Glime, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a a walk.

Glime, would then be caught trying to steal 2nd. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, T. Joiner, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Joiner, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Abernathy, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.

In the top of the sixth, Jenkins, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-out single. That would be all for the Dragons in the sixth as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pair of fly outs. Phillips, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After a fly out, Bowens, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy.

After a single by Cobbs to load the bases, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to keep the Dragons in front. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 7-5. After a fly out for the first out of the bottom of the seventh, Joiner and P. Wilson would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A passed ball, would lead to both Joiner and Wilson moving up a base.

Jenkins, would settle down and strikeout the next two batters to seal the 7-5 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons in Game two:

Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI

Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 3 singles, 1 run scored and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K on 33 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk

Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 RBI

Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Ezra Faber: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 H on 58 pitches

Daven Abernathy: 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 52 pitches

Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

The Dragons, finish the 2025 regular season at 25-5. They will represent 6-AAA as the #2 seed in next week’s AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, will find out their seeding and who they will be facing on Monday, April 21st. The first round best of three series, will take place at Dunn Field with a doubleheader on Friday, April 25th with the “if” game on Saturday, April 26th if necessary.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Caden Kirchoff Christian Starks Daven Abernathy Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Drew Dunlap Dylan Walls Ezra Faber GAC Spartans Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Six run first leads Dragons past Spartans

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 16, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — Tuesday, April 15th began the final week of the regular season for high school baseball. The Pickens Dragons, kicked off a crucial three game series with the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. A win for the Dragons would secure the #2 seed out of 6-AAA and lock up a home playoff series in the first round of the State Tournament next week. For the Spartans, they would need to sweep the series to overtake the Dragons for the #2 spot. A six run first inning and a gem thrown by A.J. Rice, led the Dragons to a 6-1 win.

In the top of the first, Rice, the Junior Auburn commit, would work around Denzell Watkins reaching on a 1-out error, and Ian Cobbs reaching on a 2-out single as he picked up a ground out and two strikeouts in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the first, Rice, would lead off the inning with a solo home run to left center to put the Dragons ahead, 1-0. Christian Starks, would follow that by drawing a a full count walk to reach first.

Starks, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. Cade Sutton, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Kam Jenkins, would keep the line moving with a single. After a fly out, Sam Hammontree, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Dawson Holland, would bring in Sutton as he reached on a fielder’s choice. An RBI single by Ezra Faber, would drive in courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 4-0.

Jennings Allen, would bring in Holland with a single to make it 5-0. Allen and Faber, would then pull off a double steal as Allen took 2nd, and Faber swiped home to make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the second.

In the top of the second, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to bring the bats back up for the Dragons. In the bottom of the second, Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be forced out at 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led GAC, 6-0.

Trace Joiner, would lead off the top of the third by reaching on an error. After a fly out, Watkins, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Courtesy runner Rider Umphenour, would then advance to 3rd after an error on a pick off attempt at 1st. Jakobi Bowens, would then draw a walk to load the bases with still just 1-out. Rice. would collect himself and strikeout the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the third.

Hammontree, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to lead off the bottom of the third. After a strikeout, Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Faber, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Spartans, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens still led GAC, 6-0.

In the top of the fourth, Rice, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Trust Stopher to pick up a strikeout and a pair of ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Sutton, would look to get something going by drawing a a 2-out walk. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth as Sutton would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 6-0.

In the top of the fifth, Watkins, would reach with a 1-out single. Bowens, would then follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Dragons head coach Adam Williams, would then make the decision to intentionally walk Ian Cobbs to load the bases and to have a force out anywhere on the base paths. Henry Glime, would bring in Watkins with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 6-1.

Rice, and the Dragons, would get out of the fifth with a ground out to send it to the bottom half of the frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Hammontree, would keep his perfect night going with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded on first as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pop out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 6-1.

Rice, nearing 100 pitches for the game, came back out for the sixth. He would toss a scoreless frame with a pair of ground outs and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens still led GAC, 6-1.

Jenkins, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh. Jenkins, would sit down the Spartans in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to seal the win for the Dragons, 6-1.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 6 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K on 104 pitches

Christian Starks: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches

Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 single, and 2 walks

Dawson Holland: 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Ezra Faber: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single

Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored

With the win, the Dragons have secured the #2 seed out of 6-AAA and a home playoff series for the first round of the AAA State Baseball Tournament. There is still a chance the Dragons win the region as they would need to sweep the series with GAC, and have North Hall drop one of their last two against Chestatee. For now, the Dragons will focus on the regular season ending doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th at GAC.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Christian Starks Dawson Holland Drew Dunlap Ezra Faber GAC Spartans Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Dragons sweep War Eagles in doubleheader

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 12, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was doubleheader day around 6-AAA on Friday, April 11th as both Pickens and Chestatee, as well as White County and GAC both played two after getting rained out on Thursday, April 10th. For Pickens and Chestatee, Chestatee would be the home team for the first game. The Dragons, would get wins in both games as they picked up a 4-3 win in eight innings in game one, and a 10-0 victory in six innings in game two.

Game One:

A.J. Rice, would look to get something started in the top of the first as he would draw a walk to reach base. The War Eagles, were prepared for Rice’s steal attempt, and got him out in a rundown. A fly out, would send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Eli Chaffin, would reach with a 1-out double. Ethan Dunn, would then reach on a single, Chaffin, would come around to score to make it 1-0 War Eagles.

Dunn, would advance to 2nd on the play. Carter Edmondson, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Dunn would be forced out at 3rd. Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the second, Chestatee led Pickens, 1-0.

Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the second by drawing a walk. Cade Sutton, would then follow that up with a single. Lowit, would advance all the way to 3rd on the hit. Sutton, would make the heads up play and move to 2nd on the throw to 3rd. War Eagles starter Ryland Head, would pick up a strikeout, a pop out, and a line out to get out of the jam to send it to the bottom of the second.

Trenton Eaton, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. After a pop out, Zac Benna, would reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Thomas Martens, would then reach with a single. Courtesy runner Riley Nix, would be waved home, but a good throw by Christian Starks would get Nix at the plate. Heading to the third, the War Eagles, still led the Dragons, 1-0.

Jennings Allen, would lead off the top of the third with a single. Allen, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI triple to tie the game at 1. After a fly out, Starks, would bring in courtesy runner Ezra Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Head and the War Eagles, would get out of the third with a line out.

In the bottom of the third, Nunn, would work around a 2-out double by Edmondson, and a wild pitch to keep the War Eagles scoreless. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 2-1.

After a pop out and a strikeout started the top of the fourth, Sam Hammontree, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons after getting hit by a pitch. Dawson Holland, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the fourth with a line out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cort Hagerman, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Benna, would drive in Hagerman with an RBI triple to tie the game at 2.

Parker Grant, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Benna would be forced out at home for the second out. Martens, would bring in Grant with an RBI double to give the War Eagles a 3-2 lead. During the next at bat, Nunn, would have to unfortunately leave the game due to injury. Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Nunn. Walls, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout as the War Eagles took a 3-2 lead into the fifth.

Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth inning. His courtesy runner, Ezra Faber, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would advance Faber to 3rd after a fly out to right. Starks, would bring in Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to tie the game at 3. Lowit, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the fifth, Dunn, would lead off with a single. Walls, in his first full inning of relief, would pick a strikeout and force a 4-6-3 double play to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 3.

In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would again be hit with a pitch to reach base with 1-out. Holland, would follow that by picking up his 2nd hit of the day to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a 6-3 double play. In the bottom of the sixth, Walls, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Benna to pick up a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh, still tied at 3.

In the top of the seventh, Rice, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then be called out trying to steal 2nd as the field umpire ruled that Rice’s foot popped up off the bag. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Walls, would work around a 2-out single by Dunn as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the eighth with the game still tied at 3.

In the top of the eighth, Lowit, would give the Dragons the lead with a lead off home run. Sutton, would follow that with a double. Faber, who came on for Matthew Davis in the fifth, would move Sutton over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. The War Eagles, would get out of the eighth with a pop out and a fly out as the Dragons would take a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the frame.

Walls, would come out for the bottom of the eighth looking to close things out. Walls, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to help seal the 4-3 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 triple, 1 HBP, and 1 RBI

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk

Christian Starks: 2 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 1 single and 1 double

Ezra Faber: 2 runs scored

Sam Hammontree: 2 HBP

Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Jackson Nunn: 3.2 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 58 pitches

Dylan Walls: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K on 75 pitches

Game Two:

Prior to game two beginning, the Dragons recognized two special people in Hudson and Kodi as it was Pink Out Night. Two young men representing both families, would throw perfect strikes for the ceremonial first pitch to the applause of the crowd.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would strike out the side to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the first, Starks, would be hit by a pitch with 2-outs to keep the inning going. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a ground out to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.

In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his 4th strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the second, Cade Sutton, would lead off with a single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. The Dragons, would then pull off a double steal as Davis took 2nd and Sutton took home to make it 1-0.

After a pop out, Dawson Holland, would then drive in Davis with an RBI triple to make it 2-0 Dragons. Holland, would then get caught in a rundown between 3rd and home for the second out. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 2-0.

In the top of the third, Starks, continued his nice start with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. He would advance to 2nd after an error by the short stop. Starks, would drive in Rice with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Dawson Lowit, would follow that with an RBI single to score Starks to make it 4-0 Dragons.

Sutton, would then reach with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a pop out, Sam Hammontree, would bring in pitch runner Daven Abernathy with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 5-0.

Thomas Martens, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. Eli Chaffin, would follow that with a single. Chaffing, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would get out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Allen, would lead off with a single.

Allen, would take 2nd to get into scoring position. Allen, would then advance to 3rd after a wild pitch. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as the War Eagles would force the out at 2nd. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Starks, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.

Another wild pitch, would move up Rice and courtesy runner Zach Williams up a base. After a pop out for the second out, Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases. Rice, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 7-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.

In the top of the fifth, Zac Benna, would reach on an error with 2-outs. Starks, would work around it as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Hammontree, would lead off with a single. After a strikeout, Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in all the way from 1st to make it 8-0. Allen, would make it all the way to 3rd on an error.

Jenkins, would bring in Allen with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0 Dragons. Rice, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Chestatee, 9-0.

Jenkins, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the sixth. Martens, would reach by drawing a lead off walk. Martens, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Chaffins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After forcing an infield fly, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning.

Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Lowit, would draw a lead off walk to begin the bottom of the sixth. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Walker, would by hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would then reach on a bloop single to load the bases. Dunlap, would come in to score on a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 10-0 win in six innings.

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K on 25 pitches

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 5 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 10 K on 82 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 double

Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored

The Dragons, winners of ten in a row, will look to finish the season strong as they prepare for the final series of the regular season as a three game set with the GAC Spartans begins on Tuesday, April 15th at Dunn Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Caden Kirchoff Chestatee War Eagles Christian Starks Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Drew Dunlap Dylan Walls Ezra Faber GAC Spartans Jackson Nunn Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Dragons win 8th straight in series opening shutout

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 9, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — On Tuesday, April 8th, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to Dunn Field for game one of their three game set. The Dragons, were coming off their second straight sweep, while the War Eagles, were looking to bounce back after getting swept by GAC. Prior to the game, the all-time home run leader for the Dragons, Jake King, made an appearance and added to his record against the War Eagles. As for the game, Christian Starks and Kam Jenkins both went deep, and A.J. Rice, Ezra Faber, and Daven Abernathy combined for the shut out as the Dragons won it, 9-0.

In the top of the first, the Auburn commit, Rice, would strike out the side on 10 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Rice, would look to get something going as he reached with a 1-out single. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Rice and Lowit, would then pull off a double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to load the bases.

Rice, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. Lowit and Sutton would also move up on the play. Matthew Davis, would then drive in both Lowit and Sutton with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Davis, would move up to 2nd on the play. Sam Hammontree, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a fly out as the Dragons led it, 3-0 heading to the second.

In the top of the second, Rice, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Trenton Eaton as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a single. Allen, would be caught trying to steal 2nd as he slid off the bag just a bit. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk to reach. Rice, would bring in the courtesy runner, Daven Abernathy, with an RBI triple to make it 4-0.

Christian Starks, would then send one over the left-center field wall for a 2-run home run to make it 6-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sutton, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out to center. Heading to the third, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.

Ryland Head, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd for the first out. After Rice picked up his 7th strikeout, Thomas Martens, would draw a walk to keep the inning alive for the War Eagles. Rice, would end the third with his 8th strikeout. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the third with a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.

In the top of the fourth, Rice, would pick up a ground out and his 9th and 10th strikeout in a scoreless frame to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Rice, would reach with a 1-out double. The War Eagles, would get out of the inning with back to back fly outs to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 6-0.

Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth. Faber, would work around a single and a walk to keep the War Eagles scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would lead off with a single. He would then advance to 2nd after a ground out. Hammontree, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be forced out at 3rd. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading, 6-0.

Faber, in his second inning of relief, would work around a lead off single in the top of the sixth as he picked up a strikeout, and a pair of pop outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. Allen, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Jenkins, would then send one down the left field line as it stayed just fair for a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to reach base.

Rice, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, an RBI single by Lowit, would bring in Rice to make it 9-0 Dragons. Sutton, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a grounder to 1st to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 9-0.

Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber for the top of the seventh. Abernathy, would work around a walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 9-0 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons:

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored & 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 10 K on 58 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-4 with 1 single and 2 RBI

Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Ezra Faber: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 28 pitches

Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 19 pitches

The Dragons, will look to keep their winning way going as the series with the War Eagles will shift over to Chestatee on Thursday, April 10th for game two. The first pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Chestatee War Eagles Christian Starks Daven Abernathy Dawson Lowit Ezra Faber Jennings Allen Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sports

Starks throws complete game shutout as Dragons sweep Tigers

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 5, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Dawsonville, Ga — It was another beautiful day at the ball park as the Pickens Dragons made the short trip up to Dawsonville to take on the Dawson Tigers in the third and final game of their series. The Dragons, were looking for the series sweep, while the Tigers, were looking to steal a game and stay slightly ahead of Lumpkin for 4th. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, led the way offensively, while Christian Starks would toss a complete game shutout as the Dragons picked up a 5-0 win.

The Dragons, looked for an early rally in the top of the first as Starks would reach with a 2-out single. Lowit, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with two out. Tigers starter Case Gravitt, would get out of the first with a line out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Preston Bannister, would lead off with a single.

Kam Jenkins, would throw out Bannister trying to steal 2nd for the first out. Starks, would then pick up a strikeout and a line out to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.

Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the second by reaching on an error. Sam Hammontree, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a ground out, both Davis and Hammontree, would then advance on a wild pitch. Gravitt, would pick up a fly out and a ground out to get out of the jam and send it to the bottom of the second.

In the bottom of the second, Starks, would work around a 1-out walk drawn by Dylan Edwards to pick up a line out, a strikeout, and a ground out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.

In the top of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd hit with a 1-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Lowit, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Lowit and Sutton, would then move up a base after a ground out by Davis.

Hammontree, would keep the inning going by bringing both Lowit and Sutton on a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0. Dawson Holland, would then reach with a 2-out single. A wild pitch, would move runners up to 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up a line out and two fly outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 3-0.

The Dragons, would look to add to their lead in the top of the fourth as Starks would pick up his 3rd hit of the game with a 2-out single. Lowit, would follow that with his 3rd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with two out. Starks and Lowit, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would once again escape a potential scoring threat as they would pick up a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fourth.

Starks, would continue his good night on the mound in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 3-0.

In the top of the fifth, Tripp Williams, who came on in relief of Gravitt in the top of the fourth, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Starks, would work around a 1-out double by Carson Sosebee as he picked up a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading the Tigers, 3-0.

In the top of the sixth, A.J. Rice, would look to get something going as he reached with a 2-out single. Williams, would get out of the sixth with a ground out to keep the score at 3-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers, were swinging early and often as Starks picked up a line out, a ground out, and a fly out on just five pitches. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Dawson, 3-0.

Lowit, would lead off the top of the seventh with his 4th hit of the game. Sutton, would follow that with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt by Davis, would move the runners up to 2nd and 3rd. Hammontree, would then bring in both pitch runner Caden Kirchoff and Sutton with his second 2-RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons.

Holland, would follow that with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Tigers, would get out of the seventh with an unconventional 6-5-4 double play to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Starks, would work around a 2-out single by Edwards, to pick up a line out, a strikeout, and a ground out as the Dragons picked up the 5-0 win to sweep the series.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single

Christian Starks: 3-4 with 3 singles, 2 steals, 1 run scored & 7 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K on 74 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 4-4 with 4 singles, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored

Sam Hammontree: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 4 RBI

Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

6-AAA Baseball Standings:

North Hall: 17-5 (13-2)

Pickens: 20-4 (12-3)

GAC: 14-7 (11-4)

Dawson: 13-11 (8-7)

Lumpkin: 12-11 (6-9)

White County: 10-13 (5-10)

Chestatee: 6-18 (5-10)

Johnson-Gainesville: 2-22 (0-15)

The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, April 8th as they begin a three game series with the Chestatee War Eagles at home. It’s the second to last series of the regular season. The first pitch, is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Caden Kirchoff Chestatee War Eagles Christian Starks Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Dawson Tigers PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Dragons win pitchers duel to take series from Tigers

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 4, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a warm day on Thursday, April 3rd as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Dawson Tigers to Dunn Field for game two of their three game series. The Dragons, took game one on Tuesday, 10-0 in five innings and were looking to take the series to stay just behind North Hall. Behind a solid pitching performance, the Dragons, were able to come away with the narrow 1-0 win.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, worked a scoreless frame with a pair of ground outs and a pop out. In the bottom of the first, Tigers starter Will Battles, would pick up two fly outs and a ground out on just six pitches to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.

In the top of the second, Nunn, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a fly out on six pitches to send it to the bottom of the inning. Kam Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Dawson Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Matthew Davis, would ground out to 1st as the runners would move up a base.

Battles and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the third with the score still knotted up at 0.

In the top of the third, Nunn, picked up a ground out for the first out. After a long at bat by Beckham Ayers, Nunn would get the better of the battle as he got Ayers to fly out to right for the second out. Jadyn Mattie, would pick up the Tigers first hit of the game with a 2-out single to keep the inning alive. Nunn, would work around that to pick up his first strikeout to send it to the bottom of the third with the score still tied at 0.

After Battles picked up two quick outs in the bottom of the third, Christian Starks, would draw a full count walk to keep the inning going. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Battles, would get out of the third with a pop out to left to send it to the fourth with both teams still scoreless.

In the top of the fourth, Nunn, would work around a 1-out single by Jacson Rickett as he picked up two ground outs and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the fourth by drawing a walk. His courtesy runner, Ezra Faber, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Lowit, would then lay down the perfect bunt for a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd with nobody out.

Battles, would then be called for a balk which allowed Faber to come in to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would move up to 2nd on the call. After a fly out, Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Battles and the Tigers, would get out of the fourth after a pop fly. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led Dawson, 1-0.

In the top of the fifth, Carson Sosebee, would lead off with a single. After a ground out, Ayers, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A sacrifice bunt by Mattie, would advance the runners up to 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. Faber, would then come on in relief of Nunn looking to get the final out of the fifth. Preston Bannister, would get hit with a pitch to load the bases with 2-out.

Faber, would settle down and pick up a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom half of the fifth, A.J. Rice, would reach after a 1-out ground rule double. After that double, Tripp Williams would come on in relief of Battles to try and keep it a one run game. Williams, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 1-0.

Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Faber in the top of the sixth. Rickett, would draw a walk to lead off the inning. It looked like Elijah Odom had beat out a double play, but after discussion by the umpires, it was determined that Rickett slid into Jennings Allen during his throw over to 1st and it was ruled interference which led to Odom being called out.

A 2-out double by Dylan Edwards, would keep the inning going for the Tigers. Walls, would get out of the sixth with a fly out to left to send it to the bottom of the frame with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0. Lowit, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. Lowit, would move up to 2nd after ground out. Sam Hammontree, would keep things going for the Dragons with a 2-out single to put runners at the corners.

The Dragons, would then try a little trickery as Hammontree tried to stall long enough for Lowit to come in to score, but the Tigers were ready for it and would catch Lowit in a rundown to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.

Walls, in his second inning of relief, would toss a scoreless top of the seventh as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 1-0 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with a double

Christian Starks: 1 walk and 1 steal

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

Dawson Lowit: 2-2 with 2 singles, and 1 HBP

Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single

Jackson Nunn: 4.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 60 pitches

Ezra Faber: 1 steal, 1 run scored, and 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP on 2 pitches

Dylan Walls: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 20 pitches

With the win, the Dragons take the series against the Tigers. The series will shift back over to Dawsonville for the third and final game on Friday, April 4th. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Christian Starks Dawson Lowit Dawson Tigers Dylan Walls Ezra Faber Jackson Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Dragons pick up road win at Dawson

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 2, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Dawsonville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the short ride up to Dawson County on Tuesday, April 1st to begin a very important three game series with the Dawson Tigers. The Dragons, were coming off an expected sweep of Johnson, while the Tigers were looking to rebound after losing two of three to GAC. The Dragons, behind solid pitching performances from A.J. Rice and Dylan Walls and an offense that got going in the third, picked up a 10-0 win in five innings.

In the top of the first, Tigers starter Tate Tangel, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a line out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the first, Rice, would pick up a pop out and a strikeout for the first two outs of the inning. A 2-out triple by Jacson Rickett, would keep the inning alive for the Tigers. Rice, would force a ground out to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.

In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then tag and advance to 3rd on a line out. Tangel and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the third with the score still even at 0.

Dawson Holland, would lead off the top of the third by drawing a walk. Holland, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Jennings Allen, would then move Holland over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Rice, would bring in Holland with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Starks, would move Rice over to 3rd with a ground out.

Rice, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 2-0 Dragons. Tangel, would get out of the third with a fly out. In the bottom of the third, Rice, picked up two strikeouts for the first two outs of the frame. Preston Bannister, would keep the inning going for the Tigers with a 2-out single. Rice, would end the third with a strikeout to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 2-0.

Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fourth by reaching on an error. Lowit, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt by Matthew Davis, would move the runners up a base. Sam Hammontree, would drive in courtesy runner Zach Williams and Lowit with a single to make it 4-0. Hammontree, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball.

After Holland drew his 2nd walk, Allen would drive in Hammontree with an RBI double. Holland and Allen, would come in to score on a single by Rice. Rice, would be thrown out trying to take 2nd on the play. The Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a line out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, Pickens led Dawson, 7-0. Rickett, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single for his 2nd hit of the day.

After Rice forced a fly out for the first out, Rickett, would be thrown out by Jenkins after trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would end the fourth with his 7th strikeout of the game to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 7-0.

Cade Sutton, would lead off the top of the fifth by reaching on an error. After a strikeout, Sutton, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a pop out for the 2nd out, Sutton, would come in to score as Davis would reach on a single. Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play. An RBI single from Hammontree, would make it 9-0 Dragons. Holland, would drive Hammontree in with an RBI double to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the fifth.

Dylan Walls, making his 2nd appearance of the season, would come on in relief of Rice in the bottom of the fifth. Walls, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to seal a 10-0 win for the Dragons in five innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 3 RBI, 1 run scored & 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 58 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, and 1 run scored

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

Sam Hammontree: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Dawson Holland: 1-1 with 1 double, 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 2 runs socred

Jennings Allen: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 sacrifice bunt, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Zach Williams: 1 run scored

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 12 pitches

The series will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Thursday, April 3rd as the Dragons will look to keep pace with North Hall. The first pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Dawson Tigers Dylan Walls Jennings Allen Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Zach Williams

Dragons celebrate Senior Night with series sweep

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a special night for the Pickens Dragons as they honored four Seniors on Friday, March 28th for Senior Night. Sam Hammontree, Dawson Holland, Coleman Keener, and Cade Sutton were all in the starting 9 as the Dragons took on the Johnson Knights in the series finale. The Dragons, would take game three, 11-1 in five innings for the series sweep.

A welcomed sight for the Dragons in the top of the first as starting pitcher Dylan Walls, made his season debut. Walls, would work around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a fly out in his lone inning of work. In the bottom of the inning, Cade Sutton, would look to get something started after being hit with a pitch with 2-outs. The Knights, would get out of the first with no harm done. Heading to the second, Pickens and Johnson were tied at 0.

Christian Starks, would come on in relief of Walls in the top of the second. Starks, would strikeout the side on 14 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom half of the frame, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a lead off single. His courtesy runner, Zach Williams, would advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a ground out, Williams, would steal 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Williams with an RBI single to make it 1-0.

Ezra Faber, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Coleman Keener, would then drive in both Hammontree and Faber with a 2-RBI double. A.J. Rice, would follow that up with an RBI double that scored Keener to make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the third.

Starks, would work a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons, would go down in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Starks, in his third inning of relief, worked around a 1-out walk to pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Hammontree, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double. After a line out, Hammontree would steal 3rd. After a strikeout, Rice, would reach on an infield single that would score Hammontree to make it 5-0.

A single by Starks, would move Rice all the way to 3rd. Starks, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Rice, would come in to score after a wild pitch. Starks, would advance to 3rd on the play. Sutton, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-out. Sutton and Starks, would then pull off a double steal as Sutton would swipe 2nd, and Starks would steal home. Sutton, would advance to 3rd after the throw home got by the catcher.

Kam Jenkins, would then drive in Sutton with an RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the fifth.

Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the fifth. After a pair of strikeouts, the Knights, would load the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. Alex Alvarez, would reach on an error that would score Felipi Delgado to make it 8-1. Abernathy, would limit the damage to just the one run as he forced a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fifth.

In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis, who came on a replacement for Dawson Holland, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Davis, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Caden Kirchoff, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Kirchoff would be forced out at 2nd.

Faber, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. An RBI ground out by Jennings Allen, would bring in Davis to make it 9-1. Rice, would then drive in Faber with an RBI double to make it 10-1 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 3rd to move up a base. Starks, would then reach on an infield single as Rice would come in to score to give the Dragons the 11-1 victory.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 3-4 with 1 single, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, & 3 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 29 pitches

Cade Sutton: 1 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single

Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

Coleman Keener: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Zach Williams: 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk

Jennings Allen: 1 RBI

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 19 pitches

Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches

6-AAA Region Standings:

North Hall: 14-5 (10-2)

Pickens: 17-4 (9-3)

GAC: 11-7 (8-4)

Dawson: 13-8 (8-4)

Chestatee: 6-15 (5-7)

Lumpkin: 10-10 (4-8)

White County: 9-11 (4-8)

Johnson-Gainesville: 2-19 (0-12)

The Dragons, will take to the road to begin a three game series with the Dawson Tigers on Tuesday, April 1st. The Dragons, will be looking to keep pace with North Hall at the top of the region standings. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

Dragons shut out Knights to win series

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 27, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip over to Gainesville on Thursday, March 27th to take on the Johnson Knights in game two of their three game region series. The Dragons, who took game one on Tuesday, 15-0 in three innings, were looking to pick up the series win and keep pace at the top of the region standings. The Dragons, did just that as the bats were alive and the pitching was spectacular as they came away with a 17-0 win in three innings.

Christian Starks, would reach base on an error with 1-out. Starks, would come around to score on an error to make it 1-0 Dragons early. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going with a single. He would make it all the way to 3rd on an error. Dawson Lowit, would knock in Jenkins with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Zach Williams, the courtesy runner for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position.

Matthew Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Williams and Davis, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Knights, would get out of the first with a fly out to center. Heading to the bottom of the frame, Pickens led Johnson, 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to send it to the second with the Dragons leading the Knights, 2-0.

Sam Hammontree, would lead off the top of the second with a double. An infield single by Jennings Allen, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A.J. Rice, would drive in both Hammontree and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Rice, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd.

Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI double to make it 5-0. Starks, would then steal 3rd. An RBI ground out by Jenkins, would make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Nunn, picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons ahead, 6-0.

Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Dawson Holland, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 3rd. After Holland stole 2nd to get into scoring position, Hammontree, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance Holland and Hammontree up a base.

Allen, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-put. Chase Hulsey, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, would drive in Holland with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Zach Williams, would then be hit with a pitch as Hammontree would come in to score. A double by Cade Sutton, would bring in both Allen and Hulsey to make it 10-0. Jenkins, would then drive in Williams with an RBI single to make it 11-0.

After Lowit drew a walk to load the bases, Davis, would drive in Sutton and Jenkins with a 2-RBI single to make it 13-0. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Daven Abernathy, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Davis, would move up to 3rd on the play. Caden Kirchoff, would keep the inning going with a walk. Coleman Keener, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 15-0.

Hulsey, would draw a walk to load the bases. Williams, would follow that by drawing a walk to bring in Kirchoff to make it 16-0. Keener, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 17-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third. Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the third. After a pair of strikeouts, Joe Sanchez, would reach base on an error. Sanchez, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.

Faber, would shake that off to pick up his 3rd strikeout of the inning to seal the 17-0 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

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

Dawson Holland: 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

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

Chase Hulsey: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Zach Williams: 1 HBP, 1 BB, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Coleman Keener: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored

Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 21 pitches

Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 19 pitches

The Dragons, will look to sweep the series on Friday, March 28th in the series finale. It will also be Senior Night as the Dragons will honor the Seniors who have become the winningest class in Pickens Baseball history. The first pitch for the series finale is set for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Caden Kirchoff Chase Hulsey Christian Starks Coleman Keener Daven Abernathy Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Ezra Faber Jackson Nunn Jennings Allen Johnson-Gainesville Knights Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Zach Williams

Dragons run rule Johnson to open series

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 26, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day at the ball field as the Pickens Dragons took on the Johnson Knights of Gainesville in game one of their three game set on Tuesday, March 25th. The Dragons, were coming off of a big series win against Lumpkin last week. The Knights, haven’t had the best of seasons, but were looking to possibly spoil a season as we head towards the playoffs. The Dragons, got things going early and took home the win, 15-0 in three innings.

In the top of the first, Payton Rose, would get things started for the Knights by getting hit with a pitch. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would bounce back with a strikeout. Kam Jenkins, would then throw out Rose trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would pick up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the frame, Christian Starks, would reach on a two base error with 1-out.

Starks, would then steal 3rd. Starks, would then come in on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. A pair of 2-out walks drawn by Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would put runners at 1st and 2nd. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would bring in courtesy runner Daven Abernathy to make it 2-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. An RBI single by Dawson Holland, would bring in Lowit to make it 3-0 Dragons heading to the second.

In the top of the second, Rice, would pick up two more strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a double. Rice, would follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Allen, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on the wild pitch. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-0.

Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a ground out, Jenkins, would drive in Starks to make it 6-0. Lowit, would add on to the lead with a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Davis, would keep the inning going with a triple. He would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 9-0 Dragons. After back to back walks from Holland and Sam Hammontree, Allen, would load the bases with a single.

Rice, would help himself out by clearing the bases with a 3-RBI triple to make it 12-0. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 13-0. Starks, would advance to 2nd after an error on the play. Chase Hulsey, would come on to pitch hit for Cade Sutton. Hulsey, would reach base after being hit with a pitch. The Knights, would finally get out of the second with a ground out and a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Knights, 13-0.

In the top of the third, Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Rice. After a strikeout, Felipi Delgado, would reach base after drawing a walk. Alex Alvarez, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Delgado and Alvarez, would then move up a base after a wild pitch. Abernathy, would settle in to pick up a strikeout and a ground out to keep the Knights scoreless and send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons leading, 15-0.

In the bottom of the third, Caden Kirchoff, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Kirchoff, would then move up to 3rd on another wild pitch. Ezra Faber, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Coleman Keener, would reach on an error by the second baseman.

Abernathy, would then be hit with a pitch to load the bases. J. Walker, would bring in Faber on a fielder’s choice to seal the win for the Dragons, 15-0.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored, & 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 hit batsman, 0 BB, 4 K on 25 pitches

Christian Starks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Dawson Holland: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Jennings Allen: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs scored

Daven Abernathy: 1 HBP, 2 runs scored, & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 hit batsman, 2 K on 24 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored

J. Walker: 1 RBI

Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 1 run scored

The series will now shift over to Gainesville as game two will take place on Thursday, March 27th at Johnson. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Caden Kirchoff Chase Hulsey Christian Starks Daven Abernathy Dawson Holland Dawson Lowit Ezra Faber J. Walker Jennings Allen Johnson-Gainesville Knights Kam Jenkins Matthew Davis PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports

Dragons hold on to take series from Lumpkin

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 22, 2025 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — On Friday, March 21st, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Lumpkin Indians to Dunn Field for the third and final game of their three game set. The Dragons, took game one on Tuesday, while the Indians, took game two on Thursday. The Dragons, would hang on for a 5-3 win after scoring five runs early on as the Indians tried to rally late.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, picked up the first two outs of the inning via pop out and strikeout. Mason Hester, would keep the inning alive by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Hester, would then attempt to steal 3rd, but would be thrown out to send it to the bottom of the frame. A.J. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the first with a single.

Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. Cade Sutton, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After Hester picked up a strikeout for the first out, Dawson Lowit, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons.

Hester, would get out of the first after back to back pop outs. Heading to the second, Pickens led Lumpkin, 2-0.

In the top of the second, Starks, would toss a scoreless inning with a line out, a strikeout, and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Ezra Faber, would lead off with a single. Jennings Allen, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Faber would be forced out at 2nd. After a pop out for the second out, Starks, would reach on a single and then advance to 2nd on an error which allowed Allen to come in to score to make it 3-0.

Sutton, would then get a hold of one and send it over the left field fence for a 2-run home run to make it 5-0 Dragons. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going after being hit with a pitch. Hester, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Indians, 5-0.

Starks, would keep up the momentum built from the first two innings as he would toss a scoreless third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Hester, would toss his first scoreless frame with a pop out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 5-0.

In the top of the fourth, the Indians, would look to get something going after a lead off double and a walk. The Indians, would have another runner thrown out trying to steal 3rd for the first out. Starks, would then force a ground out to start a 6-4-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Hester, would get out of the fourth with no harm down as he picked up a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still leading, 5-0.

In the top of the fifth, Matthew Mitchell, would lead off with a single. Mitchell, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Jayzen Johnson, would then draw a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Tyler Cortes, would then reach on a single to load the bases. Kendal Lee, would bring in Mitchell by drawing a walk to make it 5-1. Carson Horton, would bring in Johnson on the fielder’s choice to make it 5-2.

Cortez, would then advance to 3rd after a wild pitch. Cortez, would come in to score after a ground out by Aidyn Flanagan to make it 5-3. Starks and the Dragons, would get out of the fifth with a fly out. In the bottom of the fifth, Hester, would toss his third straight scoreless inning as he would pick up a line out and a pair of strikeouts to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 5-3.

Jackson Nunn, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the sixth. Nunn, would work around a 1-out walk by Adian Rogers as he would pick up a fly out, and a pair of strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the frame. Hester, who seemed to get better as the game went on, would toss his fourth straight scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth with a ground out and a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Lumpkin, 5-3.

Jenkins, would come on in relief of Nunn in the top of the seventh as he would look to close things out. Jenkins, would toss a scoreless seventh with a pair of pop outs and a strikeout to seal the win for the Dragons, 5-3.

Stats for the Dragons:

A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored & 5 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 4 K, 4 BB on 79 pitches

Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1 HBP, 2 caught stealing, & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 0 BB on 11 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI

Ezra Faber: 1-3 with 1 single

Jennings Allen: 1 run scored

Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K, 1 BB on 19 pitches

The Dragons, will continue region play next week as they will take on the Johnson-Gainesville Knights in a three game series. The first game, will be on Tuesday, March 25th in Jasper at Dunn Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Cade Sutton Christian Starks Dawson Lowit Ezra Faber Jackson Nunn Jennings Allen Johnson Knights Kam Jenkins Lumpkin baseball PHS Baseball Sports

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