Diamond Dragons advance to Elite Eight
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 1, 2026
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, April 30th, the Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field as they took on the Adairsville Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, advanced after sweeping Cairo last week. The Tigers, advanced after sweeping Douglass-Atlanta. The Dragons, behind a pair of complete game shut outs by A.J. Rice and Everett Grubbs, swept the doubleheader to advance to the Elite Eight.
Game One:
Auburn commit A.J. Rice, took the mound for the Dragons in game one. Rice, would pick up a line out, and a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Tigers starter K. Coker, would pick up a pair of ground outs, and a strikeout in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Rice, would force a pair of pop outs and pick up his third strikeout. Coker, would also pick up a pair of pop outs and a strikeout in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the third, the game was still scoreless.
In the top of the third, Rice, would strikeout the side to send the bats back up to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis Jr, would become the first base runner of the game as he would draw a four pitch walk with 2-out. Davis Jr, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, it was still tied at 0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would sit the Tigers down in order after a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would pick up the first hit of the game with a 2-out single. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a line out. Heading to the fifth, we were still scoreless.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, would pick up a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, would strike. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. His pitch runner, Tanner Bail, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After Davis Jr drew his second walk of the game, Robert Turner, would reach on a bloop single that fell in shallow center field to load the bases with 1-out.
Bail, would be forced out at home for the second out as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. Kam Jenkins, would break the tie with a 2-RBI single to make it 2-0. Allen, would come in to score after Rice reached on an error to make it 3-0. Rice, would advance to 2nd and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play. T. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
A single by Everett Grubbs, would drive in courtesy runners Kirchoff and Cooper Helmuth to make it 5-0 Dragons. A 2-RBI single by Christian Starks, would bring in the Grubbs brothers to make it 7-0 heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, still looked sharp after that long bottom of the fifth as he would strikeout the side. In the bottom of the sixth, Turner, would reach with a 1-out single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Turner, would then take 3rd on a wild pitch. After Allen drew a walk, Jenkins, would drive in Turner with an RBI sacrifice fly. Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Rice, would reach with a 2-out single.
The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a line out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Tigers, 8-0.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, would pick up a pop out for the first out. B. Varner, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Tigers with a 1-out single. Rice, having lost the perfect game bid, would settle down and pick up a pop out and a strikeout to seal the win as the Dragons took game one, 8-0.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 3 RBI
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 7 IP, o H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 13 K on 100 pitches
Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Matthew Davis Jr: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1-1 with 1 single
Tanner Bail: 1 steal and 1 run scored
Cooper Helmuth: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game Two:
For the second game, the Dragons would be the visitors and the Tigers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Allen, would advance to 2nd after a ground out. An RBI single by A.J. Rice, would drive in Allen to make it 1-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a line out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Tigers, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would reach on an error to lead things off. E. Grubbs, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as T. Grubbs would be forced out at 2nd. After a line out, Dawson Lowit, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Starter H. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a pop out. E. Grubbs, would pick up three ground outs in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, it was still 1-0 Dragons.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, H. Miller, would reach with a lead off single. B. Slocumb, would then be called out due to pine tar being too high on his bat. That would erase a fielder’s choice, and allow Miller to return to 1st. After a line out for the second out, Miller, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were still in front, 1-0.
Rice, would lead off the top of the fourth with a single. Rice, would get caught trying to steal 2nd. After a strikeout for the second out, Parr, would force a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, B. Varner, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, C. Sanford, would be caught trying to steal 2nd. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons up, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons would go down 1-2-3 as Parr picked up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fifth, W. Barfield, would reach with a lead off bloop single. The Dragons, would then turn a 4-6-3 double. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons, were still in front, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Kam Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive for the Dragons. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 2-0. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth, E. Grubbs, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 2-0.
In the top of the seventh, Christian Starks, would reach on a 1-out double. Starks, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Lowit, would then draw a walk. Lowit, would then intentionally get caught in a rundown to allow Starks to steal home and make it 3-0. Lowit, would end up being safe at 2nd on the play. After a strikeout, Robert Turner, would drive in pitch runner Tanner Bail with an RBI single to make it 4-0.
Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the seventh with a pop out. In the bottom of the seventh, E. Grubbs, would pick up a ground out, a line out, and a strikeout as the Dragons take game two, 4-0 to sweep the series and advance to the Elite Eight.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 hit by pitch
A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 2 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K on 85 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks, and 1 steal
Tanner Bail: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, will now turn their attention to Wednesday, May 6th as they welcome the West Laurens Raiders to Dunn Field for a double header. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 7th. The Raiders, are 22-9 on the season. They won region 4-AAA, and are the #6 seed. The Raiders, swept Gilmer and Northwest Whitfield to get to the Elite Eight.
Dragons sweep Cairo to advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 25, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Friday, April 24th as the #3 seeded Pickens Dragons, took on the #30 seeded Cairo Syrupmakers in a best of three series to open up the tournament. The two teams would play a doubleheader at Dunn Field. The Dragons, would come away with a sweep as they won game one, 10-0 and game two, 13-1.
Game one:
Senior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, would start game one for the Dragons. After picking up a strikeout for the first out, C. Prince and J. Brinson, would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would pick up a second strikeout for the second out. J. Bell, would draw the third walk of the inning to load the bases. Rice, would get out of the first with a ground out.
In the bottom of the first, after two quick outs, Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Dawson Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
Rice, would settle in for the top of the second as he would strikeout the side on 13 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would lead off with a double. Everett Grubbs and Christian Starks, would follow that up by drawing back to back walks to load the bases. Matthew Davis Jr, would then be hit by a pitch to bring in T. Grubbs to make it 1-0.
After back to back pop outs, Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to bring in E. Grubbs to make it 2-0. Starks, would come in to score after Lowit drew a walk to make it 3-0. Davis Jr, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 Dragons heading to the third.
Rice, would toss a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, E. Grubbs, would reach with a lead off single. E. Grubbs, would then advance all the way to 3rd on a ground out by Starks. Davis Jr, would drive in E. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Robert Turner, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out.
Rice, would fire a 1-2-3 top of the fourth with another half inning of a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 7-0. After a pick off at 1st for the second out, T. Grubbs, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk.
T. Grubbs, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
Rice, would finish off his start by striking out the side in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Davis Jr, would reach with 1-out after an error by the third baseman. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fifth with a pair of line outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
Jackson Nunn, would come on to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the sixth. After a strikeout and a ground out, the Syrupmakers, would have their first base runner since the first inning after a double by J. Brinson. Nunn, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Jenkins, would send one over the left field fence for a solo home run to make it 8-0.
After a pop out, Rice, now playing shortstop, would reach after drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. T. Grubbs, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a line out, Starks, would drive in both Rice and T. Grubbs with a 2-RBI double to walk it off for the Dragons as they took game one, 10-0 in six innings.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 1 steal
Kam Jenkins: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 hit by pitch, 1 home run , 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 12 K on 80 pitches
Truitt Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis Jr: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 1 steal and 2 runs scored
Game two:
The two teams, would switch places for game two as the Dragons would be the away team and the Syrupmakers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out double. Cairo, would get out of the first with a line out and a pop out. Christian Starks, would take the mound for the Dragons in the bottom of the first. Starks, would pick up a strikeout and a pair of pop outs to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the second, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Truitt Grubbs, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Everett Grubbs, would advance both runners after a sacrifice bunt. Starks, would help himself out by bringing in Rice with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Starks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Matthew Davis Jr, would drive in both T. Grubbs and Starks with a 2-RBI triple to make it 3-0. Robert Turner, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at home. Turner, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the second with a ground out.
Starks, would only need six pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he forced a pop out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the third, the Dragons, led the Syrupmakers, 3-0.
Kam Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the third with back to back singles. Rice, would then launch one over the left center fence for a three run home run to make it 6-0. After a strikeout and a fly out, Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Davis Jr, would drive in Starks with an RBI double to make it 7-0.
Turner, would bring in Davis Jr with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Turner, would then steal 2nd and 3rd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out. D. Barber, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk. K. Brinson, would then reach on an infield single. Barber, would advance to 3rd after the throw got away from Lowit at first base.
After a strikeout, Barber, would come in to score after a pick off attempt went over E. Grubbs head at 3rd to make it 8-1. K. Brinson, would advance to 2nd on the play. G. Barret, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. C. Prince, would then reach on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Starks, would get out of the jam with back to back strikeouts to send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 8-1.
Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 9-1. T. Grubbs, would follow that up with an RBI double of his own as Rice would come in to score to make it 10-1. T. Grubbs, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out.
T. Grubbs, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 11-1. Starks, would drive in E. Grubbs with the third RBI double of the inning to make it 12-1. After a pop out, Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Turner, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 13-1. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a force out. J. Bell, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Bell, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.
H. Hudson, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a strikeout, Starks, would then force a fly out. That would turn into an inning ending double play as it was determined that Bell left 2nd too early. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 13-1.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fifth after a fly out, a line out, and a strikeout. Dylan Walls, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth. Walls, dealing with an injury since the beginning of the season, would be on the mound for the first time since. Walls, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out as the Dragons would take game two, 13-1, to sweep the series and advance to the Sweet 16.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 3 steals
Drew Dunlap: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with a double
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single and 1 double
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 2-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 steal, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Truitt Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 steals, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 K on 64 pitches
Matthew Davis Jr: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI and 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 11 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the #19 seeded Adairsville Tigers. Adairsville, swept the #14 seed, Douglass-Atlanta to advance to Sweet 16. While game times haven’t been announced yet, the best of three series will begin with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 30th. The “if” game, would be on Friday, May 1st.
Dragons sweep Tigers to advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 24, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The 3A State Baseball Tournament began on Tuesday, April 23rd as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Adairsville Tigers to Dunn Field for a double header as part of a best of three series. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 25-5 overall, the #1 seed out of 7-AAA, and ranked #2 in AAA. The Tigers, came into the game 15-9 overall, and the #4 seed out of 6-AAA. The Dragons, were able to pull out a sweep to advance to the Sweet 16.
Game 1:
Dragons starter Connor Shouse, got off to a good start in the top of the first as he forced a line out, and two ground outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. Shouse, would lead off the bottom of the first by lacing a double down the left field line. Trey Payne, would follow that by reaching on an error to put runners at 1st and 3rd. As Payne stole 2nd, the throw got through the infield which would allow both Shouse and Payne to score to make it 2-0 Dragons.
Later on in the inning, Trace Ledbetter, would reach with a 2-out single. Christian Starks, would follow with a single of his own. Kyle Grno, drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Starks would advance to 3rd and Grno would advance to 2nd on the play. Starks, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0 Dragons going to the second.
After Shouse the first two outs to start the top of the second, Ryan Farr, would pick up the first hit for the Tigers with a 2-out double. Shouse, would work around that as he forced a grounder to 1st for the third out. A.J. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Payne, would move Rice over to 3rd with a 1-out single.
Cade Sutton, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a double play. Going to the third, Pickens led Adairsville, 5-0.
In the top of the third, Harrison Cole, would reach with a 1-out walk. Cole, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Peyton Bowen, would bring in Cole with an RBI single to make it 5-1. Jarrett Scott, would be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-outs. The inning would come to an end as Braxton Ryan would be called out due to running inside the baseline.
Ledbetter, would lead off the bottom of the third by legging out a triple. Grno, would bring in Ledbetter with an RBI ground out to make it 6-1 Dragons. Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons as he would lace a 2-out triple to center. The Tigers, would force a pop out to get out of the third and send it to the fourth with Pickens leading Adairsville, 6-1.
In the top of the fourth, Jack Nelson, would lead off with a ground rule double. Farr, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Landon O’Neal, would then reach on a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Hayden Blalock, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Nelson would come in to score to make it 6-2. After Shouse picked up a strikeout, the Dragons turned a 5-2-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, after two quick outs, Sutton would draw a walk on a full count to reach. Kam Jenkins, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-outs. The Tigers, would force a line out to left to get out of the fourth. Going to the fifth, Pickens led Adairsville, 6-2.
In the top of the fifth, Cason Cannon came on in relief of Shouse. Scott, would reach with a 1-out single. Cannon, would pick up a fly out and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by lining one to center and coming in to score for an inside the park home run to make it 7-2. Rice, would reach with a bunt single with 2-out to keep the inning going.
Shouse, would then hit his 2nd double of the game as he drove in Rice to make it 8-2 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Cannon, on for his second inning of relief, picked up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout and line out. Blalock, would keep the inning alive for the Tigers as he reached with a 2-out single. Blalock, would be forced out at 2nd as Shouse just beat Blalock to the bag. Sutton, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by reaching on an error. Jenkins, would also reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no one out.
Ledbetter, would then lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Sutton over to 3rd, and courtesy runner Ezra Faber over to 2nd. A 1-out single by Starks would drive in both Sutton and Faber to make it 10-2 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a double play. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Adairsville, 10-2.
JP Nunn came on in relief of Cannon in the top of the seventh. Nunn, would pick up a strikeout and a fly out for the first two outs. Scott, would then reach by drawing a 2-out walk. Nunn, would close it out with a strikeout as the Dragons took game one, 10-2.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 steal, and 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K, on 68 pitches
Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 hit by pitch
Trace Ledbetter: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 sacrifice bunt, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kyle Grno: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 triple, and 1 walk
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Cason Cannon: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 33 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K on 20 pitches
Game 2:
For the second game, the Dragons would be labeled as the “visitors”. Connor Shouse, would lead off by drawing a a full count walk Shouse, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Trey Payne, would follow by also drawing a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. In what looked like an attempted hit and run situation, Shouse would be thrown out at 3rd, while Payne would steal 2nd.
Cade Sutton, would then draw the third full count walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Kam Jenkins, would move the runners over after a ground out to 3rd. Trace Ledbetter, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 2-out. Ledbetter, would be forced out at 2nd as the Tigers got out of the inning with no damage done. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter James Tilley, would pick up a fly out and a strikeout for the first two outs.
Jarrett Scott, kept the inning going for the Tigers with a 2-out single. Tilley, would get out of the first with his 2nd strikeout. Going to the second, Pickens and Adairsville were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland, would be hit by a pitch with 1-out. Holland, would have to exit the game and Kyle Grno would come in to replace him. A.J. Rice, would lace a 1-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would then choose to intentionally walk Shouse to load the bases. Trey Payne, would draw his 2nd walk of the game as Grno would come in to score to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Jenkins, would drive in both Rice and Shouse with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0. Payne, would be thrown out at home trying to score from 1st. In the bottom of the second, Landon O’Neal, would draw a 2-out walk to reach. Hudson Parr, would follow by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Harrison Cole, would draw the third straight 2-out walk to load the bases.
PJ Weeks, would drive in courtesy runner Evan Hardin and Parr with a 2-RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. Weeks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Peyton Bowen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to load the bases. Tilley and the Dragons, would get out of the second after a ground out. Going to the third, Pickens led Adairsville, 3-2.
In the top of the third, Tyler Payne kept the inning going by getting hit by a pitch with 2-outs. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. Tigers starting pitcher Jack Nelson, would reach in the bottom of the third with a 1-out single. Ryan Farr, would then follow with a single as courtesy runner Dutch Hernandez would advance to 2nd. O’Neal, would ground out to 1st, moving the runners over to 2nd and 3rd.
Tilley, would get out of the jam by picking up a strikeout to send it to the fourth with Pickens leading Adairsville, 3-2.
Rice, would lead off the top of the fourth with his 2nd hit of the game. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice would be forced out. Payne, would then advance by stealing 2nd. Payne, would get thrown out trying to steal 3rd to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Cole, would lead off the bottom of the fourth by reaching on a single. An error would advance Cole to 2nd.
After a pop out and a ground out, Scott would drive in Cole with a single to tie the game at 3. Braxton Ryan, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Nelson, would help himself out as he drove in pitch runner McCayden Hufstetler with an RBI double to make it 4-3 Tigers. Brodie Keener, would come on in relief of Tilley and would get out of the fourth with one pitch. Going to the fifth, Adairsville led Pickens, 4-3.
In the top of the fifth, Jenkins, would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Ledbetter, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as courtesy runner JP Nunn was forced out at 2nd. Nelson, would force a ground out to get out of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Keener, working his first full inning of relief, forced a ground out and two pop outs to send it to the sixth with Adairsville leading Pickens, 4-3.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, would reach on an error with 2-outs. Shouse, would move Rice to 3rd with a double. Nelson and the Tigers, would get out of the jam with a fly out to center. Weeks, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a full count walk, Bowen, would move Weeks over to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt. After intentionally walking Scott, Keener, forced a pop out and a line out to send it to the seventh, Tigers leading 4-3.
In the top of the seventh, Jenkins, would make it to 2nd on an error with 1-out. Ledbetter, would advance courtesy runner Ezra Faber, over to 3rd after a ground out. Christian Starks, would sneak a single past the diving first baseman to bring in Faber to tie the game at 4. In the bottom of the seventh, Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Keener. Cannon, picked up a fly out and two strikeouts to send it to the eighth, all tied up at 4.
In the top of the eighth, Rice, would draw a walk with 1-out. Shouse, would then be intentionally walked to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would come home to score after an error on the play to make it 5-4 Dragons. Payne, would end up at 2nd on the play. Sutton, would be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.
The Tigers, would get out of the eighth with just the one run scored as they forced a fly out. In the bottom of the eighth, Cole, would lead off by drawing a walk. After a fly out by Weeks for the first out, Cole, would move into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Bowen, would then draw a walk to put the potential game winning run on. JP Nunn, would come on in relief of Cannon to try to close it out for the Dragons.
As Nunn, picked up a strikeout for the second out, Cole would steal 3rd to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs. Nunn, would pick up his 2nd strikeout to close it out for the Dragons as Pickens took game two, 5-4 in eight innings.
Stats for the Dragons in game 2:
Connor Shouse: 1-2 with 1 double, 3 walks, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 2 walks, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 hit by pitch
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1 hit by pitch
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single
Tyler Payne: 1 hit by pitch
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Brodie Keener: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB on 19 pitches
Cason Cannon: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches
JP Nunn: .2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 8 pitches
With the sweep of the best of three series, the Dragons move on to the Sweet 16 where they will host the Hebron Christian Lions. The Lions, are the #2 seed out of region 8-AAA. The Lions, had little trouble in their first round series sweeping Cedar Grove. The best of three series is set to begin with a double header on Monday at Dunn Field. The “If” game, will be on Tuesday. That game will also be at Dunn Field.
Dragons fall in regular season finale
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 19, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day for high school baseball on Thursday, April 18th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Dominion Christian Knights. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 25-4 overall and 17-1 in 7-AAA. The Knights, came into the game 11-10 overall and 1-0 in the GIAA AAAA/AAA District 1 region. Prior to the game, the home run champ, Jake King, added to his ever growing total. As for the game, the Knights, scored 2 runs in both the sixth and seventh to pick up a 4-2 win.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, worked around a 1-out double as he picked up two strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, Trey Payne, would reach base after drawing a full count walk with 1-out. After the Knights got a strikeout for the 2nd out, Kam Jenkins would drive in Payne with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons going to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would strikeout the side to push his total up to 5 for the game. In the bottom of the second, Kyle Grno, would reach on an infield single with 1-out. Christian Starks, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Rice, would advance Grno to 3rd after a sacrifice fly. Starks and Grno, would pull off a double steal as Grno would come home to score after the throw down to 2nd to make it 2-0 Dragons.
Connor Shouse, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The Knights, would get out of the second after a fly out to center to send it to the third with Pickens leading Dominion Christian, 2-0.
In the top of the third, Rice, kept his strong start to the game going as he struck out the side for the 2nd straight inning. That brought his total up to 8 on the night. In the bottom half of the third, the Knights, picked up their first 1-2-3 inning as got 2 pop outs and a fly out. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Dominion Christian, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, Trae Wilson, would lead off with a single. His 2nd hit of the day. Starks, would make a nice sliding grab out in left for the first out of the inning. Jenkins, would then throw out Wilson attempting to steal 2nd as Shouse kept the tag on after Wilson came off the bag. Rice, would then pick up his 9th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Grno, would look to get things going as he reached with a 1-out double. Grno, would be left stranded on base however as Knights starter Gabriel Buckner, picked up a fly out and a ground out to get out of the inning. Going to the fifth, Pickens still led Dominion Christian, 2-0.
Starks, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth. Starks, would get the Knights in order with a ground out, a pop out, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, would also go down in order after two ground outs and a line out. Going to the sixth, Pickens led Dominion Christian, 2-0.
In the top of the sixth, Broughton Kelly, would lead off with a single. His pitch runner, Gabe Mercer, would advance to 2nd after Ben Esley laid down a sacrifice bunt. Mercer, would then move over to 3rd after a passed ball. Jake Jackson, would drive in Mercer with an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1. Jackson, would advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Rice, prevented a possible run from scoring as he caught a line drive for the 2nd out.
Buckner, would bring Jackson with an RBI double to tie the ball game at 2. Canaan Bowen, would keep the inning going for the Knights as he reached with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Starks and the Dragons, would get out of the inning with a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Payne looked to start a 2-out rally as he would reach on an error.
The Knights, would get out of the sixth after catching Dawson Holland in a run down. Going to the seventh, Pickens and Dominion Christian were tied at 2.
Skye Jackson, would lead off the top of the seventh by coming back from an 0-2 count to draw a full count walk. JP Nunn, who came on in relief of Starks to start the seventh, would get the next two batters via strikeout. Esley, would keep the inning alive for the Knights with a 2-out single that advanced Skye Jackson to 3rd. Jake Jackson, would bring in both Skye Jackson and Esley with an RBI double to make it 4-2 Knights.
After Trae Wilson was intentionally walked, Nunn would strike out Buckner to send it to the bottom of the seventh with Dominion Christian now leading Pickens, 4-2. Grno, would lead off the bottom of the frame by drawing a full count walk. Skye Jackson, who came on in relief of Jake Jackson, would then pick up a pop out and a fly out. Shouse, would keep the game alive for the Dragons with a line drive double that advanced Grno to 3rd.
The Knights, were able to get out of the jam as Jackson forced a fly out to right to seal the 4-2 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 hit by pitch
Trey Payne: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double and 1 RBI
Kyle Grno: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 steal
A.J. Rice: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K on 53 pitches
The Dragons finish the regular season with a 25-5 overall record. They will now turn their attention to the 3A State Baseball Tournament as they get ready to host the Adairsville Tigers in a best of three series starting on Tuesday, April 23rd. Start times have yet to be determined as of this writing but stay tuned to #TamFYNSports socials for updates.
Dragons keep things rolling with 5th straight win
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 22, 2023
Blue Ridge, Ga — On Thursday, December 21st, the Pickens Dragons traveled back up to Blue Ridge for the second day of the Fannin Holiday Tournament to take on the Adairsville Tigers. The Dragons, came in winners of four straight including Tuesday, December 19th against the hosting Fannin Rebels. The Tigers, were coming off of a big win over the Sonoraville Phoenix on Friday, December 15th. The Dragons, stayed hot as they picked up their 5th straight win, 50-37.
Dodge Davis got the scoring started as he gave the Dragons an early lead. Later on in the first quarter, with the game tied at 4, the Dragons would go on a 9-0 run as McCord Purdy hit a three, Dodge Davis made a layup, and Purdy hit back to back shots to make it 13-4. A layup by the Tigers ended the run to make it 13-6. Dodge Davis, would end the quarter with a layup to make it 15-6 Dragons going to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with both teams scoring a bucket as the Dragons led 17-8. There wasn’t much scoring after that for both teams as both offenses stalled a bit. The Dragons, finished the first half on a 4-0 run as Parker Davis and Hayden Jones both made layups to make it 24-10 Pickens at the half.
The Dragons, would go on a 5-0 run to begin the second half as Parker Davis made a layup and Purdy hit another three to make it 29-10. The Tigers, would then hit back to back three pointers to make it 29-16. After a bucket was made by each team, the Dragons went on a 7-0 run as Dodge and Parker Davis both made layups, and Nathan Wallace hit a three to make it 38-19. An 8-0 run by the Tigers cut the lead down to 38-27.
Jones and Purdy hit back to back three pointers to close out the third as the Dragons led the Tigers 44-27 going to the fourth.
The run that started at the end of the third quarter, kept going as the fourth quarter began as Purdy again made his way to the basket to make it 46-27. The two teams then went back and forth for a bit, trading buckets. The Tigers, closed out the game on a 5-0 run, but the Dragons came away with the win, 50-37.
Scorers for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 15 points
Parker Davis: 12 points
Dodge Davis: 8 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
Nathan Wallace: 6 points
Caleb Lanford: 2 points
The Dragons, will head up the road to Blue Ridge for the third and final time this week as they take on the Cherokee Bluff Bears on Friday, December 22nd. Tip time set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons win fourth straight to open Holiday Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 20, 2023
Blue Ridge, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into Blue Ridge with a surge of momentum as they took on the Fannin Rebels on Tuesday, December 19th to begin the Fannin Holiday Tournament. The Dragons, looked to stretch their season high win streak to four games. The Rebels, looked to bounce back after an up and down week last week where they upset 2A #3 North Murray in overtime on Tuesday, but fell to Union County on Friday. The Dragons, would get the better of this match up defeating the Rebels, 60-39.
The Dragons scored the first four points of the game as Hayden Jones and Parker Davis hit back-to-back layups to make it 4-0. Ben Bloch, got the Rebels on the board with a bucket to cut the lead in half. The Dragons, would close the first quarter on an 11-0 run as Dodge and Parker Davis, Caleb Lanford, and McCord Purdy all scored during the run. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Rebels, 15-2.
Cole Gribble, got the second quarter started with a layup to make it 15-4. After a basket by Dodge Davis, Matthew Ponton hit a three to make it 17-7. Jones and the Davis boys combined for a 6-0 run to make it 23-7. Isaiah Angel, ended the run with a layup to make it 23-9. Dodge Davis and Jamin Martin combined for a 5-0 run to make it 28-9. The Dragons, went into the half with a 30-14 lead over the Rebels.
Purdy, began the second half with a three pointer to make it 33-14. Jordan Richardson, Kolton Kaylor, and Bloch combined for a 6-0 run to cut the lead down to 33-20. Later on in the third, after both teams traded buckets, the Rebels went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter as the Dragons led 41-28 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with both teams going back and forth before Jones, Lanford, and Dodge Davis combined on a 12-0 run to make it 55-33. The Rebels would take the rest of the quarter, 6-5, as the Dragons got the win, 60-39.
The Dragons, will be back in action in Blue Ridge on Thursday, December 21st as they take on the Adairsville Tigers. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons fall in high scoring affair with Adairsville
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 17, 2021
Jasper, Ga — It has been a difficult week for the Pickens Dragons dating back to last Saturday with tough losses to a non-region opponent in Dawson, and to region opponents Central-Carroll and Heritage. Pickens looked to end the week on a good note as they welcomed the Adairsville Tigers to the Dragons Den for non-region action. After an exciting, high scoring back and forth game, the Tigers came away with the 71-66.
The Tigers got the ball game started with a three to take an early 3-0 lead. Pickens came back with two straight buckets from Noah Sutton to take the lead for the first time at 4-3. After a free throw from Adairsville to tie things up, Will Roland and Owen Moss hit a bucket each to give the Dragons an 8-4 lead. A 6-0 run by the Tigers after two straight threes gave them the lead back at 10-8. The two teams continued to go back and forth as 49 combined points were scored in the first quarter. Going to the second quarter, Adairsville took a 25-24 lead.
Will Roland with the basketball
A bucket by the Tigers started the second quarter as they took a 27-24 lead. Tucker Lowe then knocked down a three for the Dragons to tie things up at 27. Later on in the quarter, after Adairsville had taken a 34-29 lead, Moss nailed a three and Luke Rogers made a bucket to once again tie things up. The two teams traded buckets to close the first half as the Tigers took a 43-40 lead into the break.
Dragons looking to tie the game
The Dragons used a 4-0 run as Lowe and Moss hit buckets to give Pickens a 44-43 lead to start the third. Later on in the quarter, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to take a 61-48 lead. Rogers hit a bucket just before the quarter ended to make it 61-50 Adairsville going to the fourth.
Dragons working on defense against the Tigers
Pickens went on and 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter to cut the Tiger lead down to 61-58. After Adairsville brought the lead back up to 5, the Dragons battled their way back again to take a 66-65 lead after a Rogers bucket. Rogers again appeared to have given Pickens the lead, but a travel was called resulting in no basket. The Tigers went one to hit four free throws to give them the win, 71-66.
Dragons leading scorers:
Owen Moss: 22 points
Will Roland: 12 points
Tucker Lowe: 10 points
Luke Rogers: 9 points
Noah Sutton: 9 points
7-AAAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Heritage: 10-5 (7-1)
Cedartown: 6-8 (5-2)
Northwest Whitfield: 10-4 (4-2)
Pickens: 7-8 (4-3)
Central-Carroll: 9-7 (2-3)
Ridgeland: 4-9 (1-6)
Southeast Whitfield: 2-13 (0-6)
Pickens, will be back on the road next week as they start a 4 game road trip. First up for the Dragons is their second meeting with the Ridgeland Panthers on Tuesday. Tip off time is scheduled for 7:30.
Dragons fall in another nail biter to Heritage
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 16, 2021
Ringgold, Ga — After a tough game against Central-Carroll on Tuesday, the Pickens Dragons traveled up to Ringgold to take on a Heritage Generals team that suffered their first region defeat at the hands of Cedartown earlier in the week. The first time these two teams met was on December 8th where the Generals grabbed the win after a buzzer beating shot. Like the first meeting, the second meeting came down to the wire as well. After a wacky final few seconds, the Heritage Generals came away with a 48-43 win.
The first quarter started off very slow for both teams as neither could find points early on. Around the 5 minute mark of the opening quarter, Heritage ended the drought with a bucket to make it 2-0. Luke Rogers tied it up for the Dragons with a bucket of his own. After a three pointer by the Generals, Rogers hit two free throws, and Noah Sutton made a bucket to give Pickens a 6-5 lead. A free throw by Heritage sent us to the second quarter with a 6-6 tie.
Dragons looking for an opening on offense
The Dragons, went on a 5-0 run to start the second quarter as Owen Moss made a bucket, and Jaden Stewart nailed a three pointer to give Pickens the 11-6 lead. The Generals and Dragons traded 4-0 runs and Pickens continued to lead, 15-10. Another 4-0 run by Heritage cut the lead to 15-14, until Moss hit another bucket to make it 17-14. The Generals countered with another bucket, but left enough time on the clock for Will Roland to drive all the way to the basket and lay it in just before the buzzer went off and the Dragons took a 19-16 lead into the break.
Luke Rogers with the block
To start the third quarter, the Generals made a bucket to again cut the Dragon lead to one. Roland carried the momentum of his buzzer beating make into the early second half as he hit a three to give Pickens the 22-18 lead. A 4-0 run by Heritage tied things up a 22 a piece as these two teams kept going back and forth. After the Generals made a run to take a 29-26 lead, Rogers hit a three pointer to tie things back up. The two teams traded buckets for the rest of the quarter as Heritage would take a 37-36 lead into the fourth.
Noah Sutton receives the pass
After a 3-0 run by the Generals to start the fourth quarter, Noah Sutton made back to back buckets to tie things up at 40. Heritage countered that with a 4-0 run to go up 44-40. After a free throw from Sutton, Moss picked the ball off at mid-court and made the layup to cut the General lead down to 44-43. After two free throws from Heritage, the Dragons found themselves down 46-43. Pickens took a timeout to discuss the in-bounds play. The pass, intended for Sutton, ended up being picked off by the Generals and they would lay it up at the buzzer to come away with a 48-43 win.
Dragons leading scorers:
Luke Rogers: 14 points
Noah Sutton: 9 points
Owen Moss: 6 points
Will Roland: 5 points
Tucker Lowe: 4 points
7-AAAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Heritage: 10-5 (7-1)
Northwest Whitfield: 10-4 (4-2)
Cedartown: 5-8 (4-2)
Pickens: 7-7 (4-3)
Central-Carroll: 9-6 (2-2)
Ridgeland: 3-9 (1-6)
Southeast Whitfield: 2-12 (0-6)
The Dragons, will be back home on Saturday afternoon as they welcome the Adairsville Tigers to the Dragons Den. Tip off is set for 4:30 pm.