Dragons season ends in Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 2, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful, windy day on Monday, May 1st as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Gordon Lee Trojans at Dunn Field for the third game of their best of three series in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA 3A Baseball State Tournament. In the end, it would be the visitors getting the win as the Trojans came away with a 3-0 victory.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, had a clean start to the game with his 1st strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the first, Trey Payne would reach on a 2-out walk, but would be left stranded and they would head to the second with the score all knotted up at 0.
In the top of the second, after getting the 1st out on the first pitch of the inning, Rice, would give up back to back 1-out singles. Rice, worked out of that jam as he picked up his 2nd strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Dawson Holland, would lead off with a single. He would advance to 2nd on the same play after an error to give the Dragons their first runner in scoring position.
A sacrifice bunt by Kam Jenkins, advanced Holland over to 3rd with only 1-out. The Trojans, were able to get out of their first jam of the game as they got a pop up and a fly out to center to keep Holland from scoring and send it to the third, still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, the Trojans, would get a 1-out triple to put a runner in scoring position. That runner would come in to score after a close play at the plate as the ball got by Jenkins, his throw to Rice was nearly in time for the tag. After a ground out to 3rd for the second out, the Trojans were looking to add to their lead as they reached with an error and a single. Rice, got out of the jam with just the 1 run to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Colby Brooks led off with a single. Connor Shouse, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Brooks would be thrown out at 2nd for the first out. Trace Ledbetter, would then draw a walk on four straight pitches to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A line drive by Trey Payne looked to be falling in left center field, but a diving catch was made for the second out. Shouse, had to scramble back to 2nd to avoid being doubled up.
The Trojans, got out of the threat with a ground out to send it to the fourth with Gordon Lee Leading Pickens, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, settled down after a 22-pitch third inning to get the Trojans in order with a fly out and 2 ground outs. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons, would also go down in order after a strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the fifth with the Trojans still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, needed 9 pitches for a 1-2-3 frame as he forced 2 pop ups and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Dragons, again couldn’t get anything going as they went down in order after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. Going to the sixth, the Trojans were still ahead, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, the Trojans, led off with a double. Rice, would get the first out of the inning after his 3rd strikeout. Gordon Lee, added to their lead as they would score 2 runs on three straight hits to make it 3-0. Rice, did a good job of limiting the damage to just 2 runs as he picked up his 4th strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the offensive woes continued for the Dragons as they went down in order with a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out to send it to the seventh with the Trojans now leading, 3-0.
In the top of the seventh, JP Nunn, came on in relief of Rice to try to keep it a 3 run game. Nunn, worked around a 2-out walk as he got three fly outs in a scoreless top half of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Holland, led off with a single as the Dragons had their first base runner since the third inning. After getting a fly out for the first out, the Trojans were able to turn a double play to secure the win, 3-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 2 singles
Kam Jenkins: 1 sacrifice bunt
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 93 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB on 12 pitches
A historic and record setting season is now in the books for the Pickens Dragons baseball team. The 2023 team set a record for most wins in a season (29), the first region championship, most strikeouts in a season. There were several individual records broken as well as Junior Connor Shouse broke the single season and career RBI record. Junior JP Nunn, broke the career saves record.
The Dragons, will return a bulk of their team in 2024 as Seniors Colby Brooks, Evan Giddens, Tee Knight, and Harlan Will will move on to the next chapter in their lives. Three of them, Giddens, Knight, and Will, have committed to play baseball in college up till this point.
With a bulk of their team coming back next season, and the JV and Junior High teams having very successful season in their own right, the Dragons could be set up to keep this run going for a bit. We will see what the future holds next season. Until then, congrats to the Pickens Dragons on a fantastic 2023 season.
Dragons and Trojans split Saturday Doubleheader
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 30, 2023
Jasper, Ga — What another great day for high school baseball it was on Saturday, April 29th as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Gordon Lee Trojans to Dunn Field for a doubleheader as part of a best of three series in the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament Sweet 16. The Trojans, used the long ball in Game one to get the win, 4-1. In Game two, the Dragons, were able to hold on and pick up a 5-4 victory to force a Game three.
Game 1:
In the top of the first, the Trojans, were looking to threaten early as Nate Dunfee reached on a lead off walk, and Blake Rodgers would reach on a 1-out walk. Dragons starter, Connor Shouse, got out of the early jam as he struck out the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Trey Payne reached on a 2-out error, and Tyler Payne reached on a 2-out single.
The Trojans, would get out of the potential threat from the Dragons with a strikeout to send it to the second with the ball game still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Trojans, got their lead off man on for the second straight inning as Holt Roberts would be hit with a pitch. Shouse, did a good job of collecting himself as he would then strikeout the side looking to send it to the bottom half of the second. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley, worked a full count walk to reach first with 1-out. Tilley, would advance to second after a ground out by Evan Giddens.
The Dragons, would take the lead after a 2-out RBI single from Colby Brooks drove in Tilley to make it 1-0 Pickens going to the third.
In the top of the third, after picking up a fly out to right and his 6th strikeout, Shouse, worked around a 2-out error to get a pop up to 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Trace Ledbetter, led off with a ground rule double. Ledbetter, would advance to 3rd after an error. The Trojans, were able to keep it a 1-0 game as Ledbetter would be thrown out at home after a grounder to the shortstop for the first out.
Gordon Lee, would then turn a double play to get out of the bottom of the third with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Trojans, would get back to back singles to start the frame. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, a 1-out walk would load the bases. Cason Cannon, would come in to try to get the Dragons out of a big jam. Cannon, did just that as he picked up a strikeout and a pop up to 3rd to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons would go down in order in with a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Going to the fifth, the Dragons still led the Trojans, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Trojans would take the lead as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits including a solo home run and a 2-run home run. Going to the bottom of the fifth, Gordon Lee led Pickens, 3-1. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons would go down in order with a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Going to the sixth, the Trojans were leading the Dragons, 3-1.
In the top of the sixth, Tee Knight, came on in relief of Cannon to try to keep it a 2 run game. Knight, did just that as he worked around a 2-out single to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons got back to back 1-out singles from Trey and Tyler Payne. The Trojans, once again avoided trouble as they got a double play to send it to the top of the seventh with Gordon Lee leading, 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Trojans, extended their lead as they scored 1 run on 2 hits and a hit by pitch to make it 4-1 going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for Tilley, reached on a 1-out single. Tilley, would then re-enter to run. Brooks, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk.
Shouse, who moved to shortstop in the fourth, would just miss a potential game tying 3-run home run as the Trojans took Game 1, 4-1.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a ground rule double
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
Tyler Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles
James Tilley: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a single
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Game 2:
For the Game 2, the Dragons were the “visitors”. In the top of the first, the Dragons went down in order with 2 ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter James Tilley, fielded a come backer, and picked up 2 strikeouts in a clean bottom of the first. Going to the top of the second, the game was tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland, reached after drawing a full count walk with 1-out. The Dragons, saw a lot of pitches in the top of the second, but the Trojans would leave Holland stranded. In the bottom of the second, Tilley, worked around a 1-out error to strikeout the side. Going to the third, the Dragons and Trojans were still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, Colby Brooks, got on by drawing a full count walk with 1-out. The Trojans, got out of the top half of the frame with a 5-4-3 double play. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, worked around another 1-out error as he induced back to back ground outs to send it to the fourth, still scoreless.
In the top of the fourth, the Dragons struck. Trace Ledbetter and Trey Payne began the top of the inning by reaching on back to back errors. Tyler Payne, then followed with a single to load the bases with nobody out. Ledbetter, would score after Dawson Holland reached on a fielder’s choice. Trey Payne, would come in after a single by Kam Jenkins to make it 2-0.
A.J. Rice, would then draw a walk to load the bases again, this time with 1-out. Evan Giddens, would drive in Holland with the RBI single to make it 3-0. Brooks, reached on the 3rd error of the inning as courtesy runner Tee Knight came in to score to make it 4-0. Rice, would come in to score after a sacrifice fly RBI by Connor Shouse to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Tilley, after the long wait, gave up a lead off single and a 1-out double, but got a fly out to right and his 7th strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the Trojans, 5-0.
In the top of the fifth, Trey Payne reached with a 1-out single. Holland, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single, but the Trojans got out of it after a grounder to short. In the bottom of the fifth, Tilley, picked up his 8th strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the sixth, Dragons leading, 5-0.
In the top of the sixth, Giddens, reached on a single with 1-out. He would be throw out at 2nd for the 3rd out of the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Trojans got back into the game as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. Going to the seventh, the Dragons now led, 5-3.
In the top of the seventh, the Dragons went down in order after 2 ground outs and a line out to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, JP Nunn, who came on in relief of Tilley in the bottom of the sixth, was tasked with getting the final three outs of this game. The Trojans, got the inning started by reaching on a lead off walk, followed by a hit by pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
The Trojans, cut the lead down to one run after an RBI single made it 5-4 with nobody out. Nunn, picked up a grounder and threw it to 1st for the first out as runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd. Nunn, got another come backer as he was able to field it and throw it home to get the runner for the second out. With runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs, Nunn, got the strikeout for the final out as Pickens defeated Gordon Lee 5-4 in Game 2 to even up the series at one a piece.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 2:
Connor Shouse: 1 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1 walk, and 1 RBI
The split doubleheader means a third and final game of the series will be played at Dunn Field on Monday, May 1st. The winner, will advance to the Elite 8 and take on the winner of the Harlem/Thomasville series. First pitch for Game 3 is set for 5:30.
Dragons all over 7-AAA All-Region Team
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 28, 2023
Jasper, Ga — After a stellar regular season that led to a 26-4 overall record and a 16-2 record in 7-AAA play that led to a region championship, the Pickens Dragons had players all over the 7-AAA All-Region teams.
Head coach Adam Williams, was named 7-AAA Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to their first region championship in baseball. Freshman A.J. Rice and Junior James Tilley, were named Co-Pitchers of the Year.
Outfielders Dawson Holland and Trey Payne, were named to the All-Region 1st team. Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, was named to the All-Region Pitchers list. Senior outfielder Colby Brooks, was named to the All-Region 2nd team.
Senior Young Harris commit, infielder Evan Giddens, catcher Kam Jenkins, Junior Jacksonville State commit RHP JP Nunn, and first baseman Trace Ledbetter were named to the All-Region Honorable Mention team.
Below is the full list of the All-Region teams:
Congratulations to all of these young men for earning a spot on the All-Region teams!
Rice tosses shutout; Dragons advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2023
Jasper Ga — It was win or go home on Tuesday, April 25th for both the Pickens Dragons and Hart County Bulldogs as they took the field for the 3rd and final game of their best of three series in the first round of the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament. The Bulldogs, won game 1, 4-3 in 9 innings, while the Dragons won game 2, 5-4 on Monday. The Dragons, got a complete game shutout from Freshman A.J. Rice as they won game 3, 8-0.
In the top of the first, Rice tossed a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, went down in order also with a fly out and 2 ground outs to send it to the second with the game tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Rice needed 12 pitches to get a pop out and 2 more ground outs in another clean inning. In the bottom half of the inning, designated hitter Tyler Payne, led off with a single. Dawson Holland, would move pitch runner Ezra Faber over to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. After Kam Jenkins reached on a walk, ’23 Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, came through with a 2-out RBI single to bring in Faber to make it 1-0 Dragons going to the third.
In the top of the third, the Bulldogs, picked up their first base runner and first hit of the game with a 1-out single. The Bulldogs, would then get another runner on after being hit with a pitch with 2-out. Rice, as he’s done all season it seems, kept his composure and was able to induce a ground out to 3rd to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, ’24 Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off by drawing a walk.
Trace Ledbetter, followed that up by reaching on a fielding error to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Trey Payne, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Shouse, would come in to score on a wild pitch. Ledbetter and Trey Payne would advance to 2nd and 3rd on the same pitch. Tyler Payne, would reach on a full count walk to load the bases again.
Holland, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Ledbetter would be thrown out at home after a grounder to 3rd for the first out. The Bulldogs, got out of the jam with only the 1 run given up as they induced an inning ending double play. Going to the fourth, the Dragons, now led the Bulldogs, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, found himself in a little bit of a jam again as he gave up a single, and then hit a batter with 1-out. His defense, which had been making plays behind him all game, got some more help from them as his Freshman battery mate Jenkins, threw out a runner trying to steal 3rd for the 2nd out. Rice, finished off the top of the fourth in strong fashion with his 2nd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, Giddens and Colby Brooks, both reached on back to back fielding errors with 1-out. Shouse, would then get hit with a pitch on an 0-2 count to load the bases. Giddens, would come in to score on a fielder’s choice by Ledbetter. Ledbetter, would catch the Bulldogs off guard and steal 2nd. Trey Payne, would then drive in Brooks and Ledbetter with a single to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, picked up his 3rd strikeout and 2 ground outs in a 9-pitch top half of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for James Tilley, sent the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a 2-out double. Tilley, would then re-enter to run for Hammontree. Giddens, drove in Tilley with an RBI single to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, after giving up a lead off single, Rice, picked up his 4th strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Lebetter, reached on a 1-out single. Davin Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Ledbetter. Abernathy, would then get to 2nd on a wild pitch. Trey Payne, would reach base with a single. Abernathy and Payne, would then advance on a wild pitch.
With Senior Harlan Will at the plate, he would drive in both Abernathy and Payne with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-0 Dragons going to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, ended his very impressive outing with a 1-2-3 frame as Shouse made three great plays at short for all three outs. The Dragons, get the win 8-0 in game 3 to take the series, 2-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1-2 with a single, 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single, and 1 walk
Harlan Will: 1-1 with a double and 2 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1 sacrifice bunt
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk and 1 runner thrown out
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a double
Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Colby Brooks: 1 run scored
Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 4 K on 89 pitches
The Dragons, will now look towards Saturday, April 29th as they begin a best of three series with the Gordon Lee Trojans with a doubleheader. The Trojans, are representing region 6 as the #2 seed. They are 20-8 overall. The Trojans, swept Cedar Grove in the first round to get to this point. It should be an entertaining series between a pair of good teams.
Dragons pick up series win against Indians
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 15, 2023
Dahlonega, Ga — The weather was touch and go, but the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin County Indians got the series finale in on Friday, April 14th. After the Indians took game 1 on Tuesday, the Dragons came back on Thursday to even up the series and to capture the 7-AAA region championship. In a game dominated by pitching, the Dragons got another great start from Freshman A.J. Rice as they won game 3, 2-1.
In the top of the first, Trey Payne, reached on a full count walk with 2-outs. Indians starter Alejandro Narvaez, got a fly out and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Narvaez led off with a double. After a strikeout by Dragons starter A.J. Rice, Narvaez advanced to 3rd on a fly out to left. Narvaez, would be left stranded at 3rd as Rice picked up his 2nd K to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland led off with a single. Holland, would advance all the way to 3rd as Kam Jenkins laid down a bunt and Narvaez overthrew 1st and allowed Jenkins to advance to 2nd. James Tilley, kept the line moving as he drove in Holland with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Senior Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, brought in courtesy runner Tee Knight with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 Dragons.
Colby Brooks, reached on a fielder’s choice as Tilley would be out at 2nd for the second out. Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, kept the inning alive with a double. Narvaez, would get out of the inning with just the 2 runs as they’d go to the bottom of the 2nd with the Dragons leading, 2-0. In the bottom of the second, the Indians loaded the bases with no one out after a lead off reach on error, a walk, and a hit by pitch.
The first out of the inning came when Rice got Dakota Bennett to ground into a fielder’s choice and Hayden Gilbert was thrown out at home. Rice, with the bases still loaded, picked up his 3rd and 4th strikeout to end the bottom of the 2nd and keep the Indians scoreless. Going to the top of the third, the Dragons led, 2-0.
In the top of the third, Tyler Payne, reached on a 1-out single. Holland, reached with a walk on 4 straight pitches. Jenkins, loaded the bases with a 1-out single. Narvaez, got Tilley to fly out to shallow right field for the 2nd out. A ground out to short ended the top of the third and the Dragons threat. In the bottom of the third, Adian Rogers, reached on a 2-out bunt single. He would be thrown out by Jenkins trying to steal 2nd to end the third.
Going to the fourth, the Dragons still maintained a 2-0 lead over the Indians.
In the top of the fourth, the Dragons got a 2-out single by Trace Ledbetter, but he would be left stranded as Narvaez got a line out to center for the final out of the top half of the fourth. In the bottom half of the fourth, Gilbert led off with a double. The Indians, would cut the Dragons lead in half as Mason Hester drove in Gilbert with an RBI double to make it 2-1.
Much like he’s done all season, Rice kept his cool and got back to back strikeouts to strand Hester and keep the Dragons ahead going to the fifth, 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, Narvaez picked up his first strikeout of the game and his first 1-2-3 inning of the game to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Narvaez, led off with a single. The Dragons, then turned a double play as Cooper Scott lined it to Giddens at 3rd and Giddens would toss it over to Ledbetter at 1st to get Narvaez. Rice, then got a fly out to right for the 3rd out to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading Lumpkin, 2-1.
In the top of the sixth, Narvaez, going over 100 pitches on the night, picked up his second straight 1-2-3 inning with his 2nd strikeout, a ground out, and a line out. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, struck out the side for the 2nd time in the game to give him 10 on the night. Going to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 2-1.
In the top of the seventh, Scott, came on in relief of Narvaez and picked up where he left off as Scott got a pop up, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Junior Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, came on in relief of Rice to try to pick up the save. Nunn, got a quick welcome to the game as Hester lined one right at him. Nunn, was able to catch the line drive for the first out.
Nunn, would go on to have a clean inning as he picked up a strikeout, and then a fly out to center as the birthday boy picked up the save and the Dragons got the win, 2-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a double
Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single
Trey Payne: 1 walk
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Evan Giddens: 1 sacrifice fly
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K on 91 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 8 pitches
The Dragons, finish up region play having won every series and with a record of 16-2. Overall their record is 24-4 on the season. Pickens, will finish up the regular season with a pair of non-region games. First up, a date with the Shiloh Generals on the road on Wednesday, April 19th. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons capture first Region Championship
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 14, 2023
Jasper, Ga — While the weather outside at times looked uncertain, it held off enough so that the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin County Indians could get in game 2 of their 3-game 7-AAA series on Thursday, April 13th. Coming into the game, the Indians were up 1-0 in the series after winning 4-0 in Dahlonega on Tuesday. The Dragons, needing just one more win to secure a region championship, got it after James Tilley threw a complete game no hitter in a 2-0 victory.
In the top of the first, the Indians got their lead off man on as Harper Davenport reached on an error. Davenport, would be thrown out at 2nd as Narvaez reached on a fielder’s chioce. Dragons starter James Tilley, picked up his first K of the night for the second out. Catcher Kam Jenkins, would then throw out Narvaez trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the first inning.
In the bottom of the first, Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off by reaching on a first pitch single to left field. Shouse would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a pop up for the first out, the Indians picked up a double play to get out of the first inning as they got another pop up to 2nd and threw out Shouse who over-slid 3rd base trying to tag from 2nd. Going to the second, it was tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Tilley, sat the Indians down in order with his 2nd strikeout, and two ground outs. In the bottom of the second, Dawson Holland reached after drawing a full count walk. Jenkins followed with a single to left center to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A.J. Rice, who was looking to bunt the runners over, reached after there was miscommunication between the Indians defense and there was no one covering 1st.
Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, brought in Holland and the Dragons took a 1-0 lead. Colby Brooks, kept the inning going as he reached on a fielder’s choice. Indians starter Adian Rogers, got a fly out to center to get out of the bases loaded jam and keep the deficit to just 1-0 going to the top of the third.
In the top of the third, Tilley, got the first two outs of the frame with his 3rd strikeout and a grounder to 1st. After Tyler Boggs drew a 2-out walk, Davenport would line the next pitch to center where Brooks made a diving catch for the third out of the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Trace Ledbetter, led off by getting hit with a pitch. The Indians, got another double play with a line out to Rogers and pitch runner Sam Dart was throw out at 1st.
Rogers, would then get designated hitter Tyler Payne to ground out to short to end the third and send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Cooper Scott, would reach after a dropped third strike. Peyton Wood, would reach on a fielder’s choice as he beat out the throw to 1st. Tilley, picked up his 5th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Rogers, got his first 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up a ground out, a fly out, and his first strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Tilley kept rolling with a 1-2-3 frame as he picked up two fly outs and his 6th strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, Rogers, who was pitching just as well as Tilley, got three straight fly outs to send it to the sixth with Pickens still ahead of Lumpkin, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Tilley, picked up strikeout number 7 and 8 in-between a ground out to short to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Ledbetter led off with a double. Trey Payne, moved Ledbetter over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Brewton Parker College commit, Harlan Will, came on to hit for Tyler Payne and did his job as he brought in Ledbetter with the sacrifice fly RBI to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Tilley, finished off his masterpiece with a fly out to right, a ground out to 2nd, and his 9th strikeout to give the Dragons the 2-0 win and to secure their first region championship.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single
Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with a hit by pitch, a double, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1 sacrifice bunt
Harlan Will: 1 sacrifice fly and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with a single
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with a single
Evan Giddens: 1 RBI
James Tilley: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 101 pitches
7-AAA Standings:
Pickens: 23-4 (15-2) Region Champions
Wesleyan: 14-7 (11-3)
Lumpkin: 19-6 (10-4)
Dawson: 13-13 (8-7)
White County: 11-14 (6-9)
West Hall: 6-18 (2-12)
Gilmer: 6-19 (0-15)
The Dragons, will be back in Dahlonega on Friday, April 14th as they will finish off the 3-game series with the Lumpkin County Indians. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm weather permitting.
Dragons offense stifled against Lumpkin
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 12, 2023
Dahlonega, Ga — On a gorgeous day for high school baseball on Tuesday, April 11th as the Pickens Dragons made the little over an hour trip up to Dahlonega to begin their final 3-game series in 7-AAA play. Coming into the game, the Dragons had won 15 straight and were in 1st place in 7-AAA. The Indians, came into the game winning 2 out of 3 against several Florida teams last week and were tied for 2nd with Wesleyan in 7-AAA. Harper Davenport, threw a complete game, 4-hit shutout for the Indians as they took game 1, 4-0.
In the top of the first, Trace Ledbetter would reach with a 1-out single. In what would be a theme throughout the game, Davenport would induce an inning ending double play to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Davenport led off by reaching on a double. After taking 3rd on a wild pitch, Davenport would come in to score on an RBI triple by Alejandro Narvaez to make it 1-0.
Cooper Scott, would follow that up with an RBI single on the next pitch to bring in Narvaez to make it 2-0. Scott, would come around to score after a grounder and a pair of passed balls to make it 3-0 Indians going to the second.
To lead off the top of the second, new Brewton-Parker College commit Harlan Will, would reach on an error. After picking up his first strikeout of the game, Davenport, induced the 2nd inning ending double play to send it to the bottom of the second with the Indians leading, 3-0. In the bottom of the second, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, picked up his 3rd strikeout of the game for the first out.
Mason Hester, then reached on a 1-out single. Tyler Boggs, then followed by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Freshman catcher Kam Jenkins, threw out Hester after he attempted to take 3rd for the 2nd out. Shouse, picked up his 2nd strikeout and his 4th overall for the final out to send it to the third with Lumpkin still leading, 3-0.
In the top of the third, freshman A.J. Rice, led off with a single to left field. After Davenport got Evan Giddens to fly out to center for the first out, he got a come backer from Colby Brooks that started the third straight inning ending double play to send it to the bottom of the third with the Indians still up, 3-0. In the bottom of the third, Shouse got the first two outs of the inning via strikeout, giving him 6 on the night.
Peyton Wood, kept the inning alive by reaching on an error. After Wood stole 2nd, Adian Rogers would bring him in with the single to make it 4-0. Jenkins, picked up his 2nd caught stealing of the game as he threw out Rogers attempting to steal 3rd for the final out of the third. Going to the fourth, it was 4-0 Lumpkin.
In the top of the fourth, Davenport, picked up his first fully clean inning as he got 2 ground outs and his 2nd strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Shouse, in what would be his final inning of work, got around hitting a batter with 2-outs as he picked up his 7th and 8th strikeout and a ground out to send it to the fifth, Indians leading, 4-0.
In the top of the fifth, Dawson Holland reached with a 1-out single. but Davenport picked up his 3rd and 4th strikeout of the game to get out of the top of the frame and send it to the bottom half of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Tee Knight came on in relief of Shouse. Knight, worked around a 2-out error and a walk to keep the Indians scoreless and send it to the sixth, Lumpkin up, 4-0.
In the top of the sixth, Giddens led off by reaching on an error. The Indians, then turned their 4th double play of the game as Rogers caught a shallow pop fly by Brooks and was able to get Giddens at 1st for the second out. Shouse, now playing shortstop, kept the top of the sixth alive with a single. Davenport, got Ledbetter to line out to left for the 3rd out of the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, Cason Cannon came on in relief of Knight.
After giving up a lead off single to Hayden Gilbert, Cannon picked up a strikeout, a ground out to Giddens, and Jekins picked up his 3rd caught stealing as he threw out Gilbert trying to take 3rd. Going to the seventh, the Indians still led the Dragons, 4-0.
In the top of the seventh, Trey Payne, led off by drawing a walk. Davenport, looking for the complete game, induced what would be the 5th double play of the game for the first 2 outs of the seventh. Davenport, then picked up his 5th strikeout of the game to finish off the complete game shutout as the Indians took game 1, 4-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single & 4 IP, 5 hits, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K on 78 pitches
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single
Trey Payne: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single
Kam Jenkins: 3 runners thrown out
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with a single
Tee Knight: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Cason Cannon: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 11 pitches
The series will now shift to Jasper on Thursday, April 13th as the Dragons will host the Indians for game 2 of the 3-game set. The Dragons, still find themselves in 1st place in 7-AAA as they are 22-4 and 14-2 in region play. Lumpkin, is now 19-5 and 10-3 in region play. First pitch on Thursday is set for 5:55 pm.
Rice throws complete game shutout as Dragons sweep Tigers
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 6, 2023
Jasper, Ga — On another beautiful day for baseball, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Dawson Tigers to Dunn Field for the third and final game of their 7-AAA series on Thursday, April 6th. The Dragons, came into the game looking to sweep the series, while the Tigers came into the game looking to at least steal a game. The Dragons, got a masterful performance from Freshman A.J. Rice as he threw a 4-hit complete game shutout as Pickens picked up a 3-0 win.
In the top of the first, Rice started off the game with a strikeout. After a 1-out single by Sawyer Bearden, he would advance to 2nd after a ground out by Julian Horner. The Tigers, would leave Bearden stranded at 2nd after Rice picked up his 2nd K of the inning to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons got a 1-out double by Trace Ledbetter, and a 2-out walk by Tyler Payne.
Tigers starter Banks Hickman, got out of the first with a strikeout to send it to the second with the game still tied.
In the top of the second, Elijah Odom led off with a single. After Rice picked up his 3rd K of the game, Odom would be out at 2nd as Chase Adams reached on the fielder’s choice. Rice, got his 4th K to end the top of the second and keep the game scoreless. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley would reach on a 1-out single. He would then steal 2nd to put himself in scoring position. Colby Brooks, kept the inning going with a 2-out infield hit.
Hickman, was able to get out of the runners at 1st and 3rd jam with a ground out to send it to the third with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the third, Rice needed just 7 pitches to get out of the top half of the inning as he picked up 2 more strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Ledbetter, would reach after being hit by a pitch. Ezra Faber, would then come in to pitch run for Ledbetter. Tyler Payne, drew his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davin Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Payne.
Dawson Holland, drove in Faber with the RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. Abernathy, would advanced to 3rd on the double, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the fourth.
In the top of the fourth, Rice picked up his 7th strikeout to begin the inning. After a 1-out double by Davis Glass, Rice induced a grounder to 3rd and picked up his 8th strikeout leaving Glass stranded at 3rd. In the bottom of the fourth, Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, led off with a single. He would then steal 2nd to advance to scoring position. Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, would advance Giddens to 3rd on a fly out to right.
Ledbetter, drove in Giddens with the RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Rice continued his stellar night as he struck out the side giving him 11 punch outs on the night. In the bottom of the fifth, Bearden came on in relief of Hickman. Bearden, picked up 2 ground outs and a strikeout in a 1-2-3 inning to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 3-0.
In the top of the sixth, Rice had his 2nd straight 1-2-3 inning as he picked up his 12th K, and 2 fly outs to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Brooks reached with his 2nd hit of the night. He advanced to scoring position after stealing 2nd. Bearden, got out of the inning by getting a fly out. Going to the seventh, the Dragons still led the Tigers, 3-0.
After Rice picked up two quick outs to start the top of the seventh, Preston Bannister kept the game alive for the Tigers with a 2-out single. In a fitting way to end the game, Rice fielded a grounder right to him and he would flip it to Ledbetter for the third and final out. The Dragons, pick up the sweep with the 3-0 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Trace Ledbetter: 2-2 with a double, a single, a hit by pitch, and 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 2 walks
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a double and 1 RBI
James Tilley: 1-3 with a single and 1 stolen base
Evan Giddens: 1-3 with a single, 1 stolen base, and 1 run scored
Colby Brooks: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 stolen base
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored
7-AAA Region Standings:
Pickens: 22-3 (14-1)
Lumpkin: 18-5 (9-3)
Wesleyan: 12-7 (9-3)
Dawson: 12-11 (8-7)
White Co.: 8-14 (3-9)
West Hall: 6-16 (2-10)
Gilmer: 6-16 (0-12)
With the win, the Dragons have run their win streak up to 15 games in a row. Next week, the Dragons will play their final region series of the season as they take on the Lumpkin County Indians. Game 1 of the series, is set for Tuesday, April 11th. Game will be at Lumpkin. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons stay atop region standings after sweep of Spartans
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 25, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was another gorgeous day in Jasper, Ga on Friday, March 24th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the West Hall Spartans for the 3rd and final game of their 7-AAA series. The Dragons, came in tied for first with Lumpkin and on an 8-game win streak. The Spartans, looked to play spoiler and get the last game of the series. The bats stayed hot for the Dragons and AJ Rice, Tate Hales, and JP Nunn shut down the Spartans for a 10-0 win in 6 innings.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter AJ Rice, worked around a 2-out double as he picked up a grounder to 3rd, and 2 K’s to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse led off with a single. Trace Ledbetter and Dawson Holland then followed with back to back walks. Tyler Payne, drove in both Shouse and Ledbetter to make it 2-0.
Trey Payne, then brought in Holland with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. James Tilley and Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, reached base on back to back walks. Colby Brooks, drove in Trey Payne with an infield single RBI to make it 4-0. Shouse, who led off the inning, kept it going with a 2-RBI double bringing in Tilley and Giddens to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the second.
After giving up a bloop single to begin the top of the second, Rice got some help from Shouse as he made a diving stop on a grounder to start a 6-3 double play. Rice, ended the top of the second with his 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom the inning. In the bottom of the second, the Dragons got a 2-out walk from Trey Payne, but that would be all as they headed to the third, with the Dragons leading the Spartans, 6-0.
In the top of the third, Rice picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout for the first 2 outs of the inning. After giving up a 2-out single, catcher Kam Jenkins, made a great toss to Shouse who applied the tag to the runner attempting to steal 2nd for the final out of the top half of the third. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons got a 2-out walk from Brooks, but that was it. Going to the fourth, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 6-0.
The top of the fourth was the last inning for Rice. He would pick up his 6th and 7th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless fourth to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons got back to back 2-out hits from Harlan Will, and Trey Payne. They would be left stranded at 2nd and 3rd and they’d head to the fifth with Pickens leading West Hall, 6-0.
Tate Hales, came on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth and looked impressive in his one inning of work. Hales, sat down the Spartans in order on just 7 pitches as he picked up a strikeout, and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Tilley led off by being hit with a pitch. Brooks, laid a bunt down the 1st base line and was able to avoid two tags to reach on the single.
Shouse, drove in Tilley on the fielder’s choice to make it 7-0. Shouse, would eventually come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 8-0 Dragons going to the sixth inning.
Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, cam on in relief of Hales for the top of the sixth. After the lead off for the Spartans led off by getting hit with a pitch, Nunn settled in and struck out the side in his one inning of work. In the bottom of the sixth, Will and Trey Payne both reached by getting hit with pitches. Jenkins, then followed that up by drawing a walk to load the bases with nobody out.
Giddens, drove in Davin Abernathy on the sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0 Dragons. The game came to an end after Brooks hit a single to right field that brought in Payne to give the Dragons a 10-0 win in 6 innings.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-4 with a single, a double, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single and 2 RBI
Harlan Will: 1-1 with a single and a hit by pitch
Trey Payne: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk
James Tilley: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Evan Giddens: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Colby Brooks: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K on 60 pitches
Tate Hales: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 7 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 HBP, 3 K on 20 pitches
7-AAA Baseball Standings:
Pickens: 16-3 (8-1)
Lumpkin: 15-2 (8-1)
Dawson: 10-7 (6-3)
Wesleyan: 6-6 (3-3)
White County: 6-10 (1-5)
West Hall: 3-13 (1-8)
Gilmer: 6-10 (0-6)
The Dragons, will continue 7-AAA play next week as they will begin a 3-game series with their 515 rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats, on Tuesday, March 28th in Ellijay. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.