Dragons pull off shocker; Advance to Final Four
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 8, 2025
Harlem, Ga — A trip to the Final Four was on the line as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Harlem to take on the #1 seeded Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 7th. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs, were sporting a 107-3 record since 2023, and were ranked 10th in the nation by MaxPreps. The Dragons, came in winners of five straight, and were looking to avenge last year’s loss. The Dragons, would do just that as they swept the doubleheader, 8-3 and 5-1.
Game one:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, D. Titus would look to get something going by drawing a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. A. Fox, would give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead with a 2-run double. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the second, the Bulldogs led the Dragons, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Dawson Lowit, would follow by drawing a walk of his own. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come around to score as Matthew Davis reached on an error. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to bring in Lowit to tie the game at 2.
A.J. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at home. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, D. Smith would draw a 1-out walk. The Bulldogs, would then decide to test the arm of Kam Jenkins and Jenkins would throw out Smith at 2nd.
Starks, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to get out of the second and send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-2.
In the top of the third, Lowit, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would follow with a single to load the bases. Holland, would bring in both Lowit and pitch runner Ezra Faber with a 2-RBI single to make it 6-2 Dragons. Davis, would come in to score after Allen reached on a fielder’s choice.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 7-2.
In the top of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton and courtesy runner Dunlap, would move up a base on a dropped 3rd strike. Sutton would come in to score as Faber would reach on an error as the ball fell in between the pitcher and the 1st baseman.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. The Bulldogs, would look to get something started to begin the bottom of the fourth as A. Fox would draw a walk, and B. Knight would be hit by a pitch. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout, T. Lindo would reach with a 1-out single to load the bases.
Abernathy, would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out to get out of the jam and send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 8-2.
In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as the Bulldogs would pick up a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, D. Titus, would lead off with a double. Titus, would look to advance to 3rd after a passed ball, but he would be thrown out. W. Holder and S. Harshbarger would then reach with back to back singles.
The Dragons, would get out of the fifth after turning a 4-6-3 double play. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Harlem, 8-2.
The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth on a pair of strikeouts and a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, would pick up the first two outs on a pair of strikeouts. T. Lindo, would keep the inning alive for the Bulldogs with a 2-out single. D. Reed, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo with an RBI single to make it 8-3.
Abernathy, would get out of the sixth with his 3rd strikeout of the inning to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 8-3.
Faber, would lead off the seventh with a single. Davis, would move Faber up to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Faber, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Holland. The Bulldogs, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. W. Holder, would lead off the bottom of the seventh with a double. Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Abernathy. After an intentional walk, the Dragons would pick up a fly out for the first out.
Walls, would then force a pop out and a line out to close things out as the Dragons would take game one, 8-3.
Stats for the Dragons in Game one:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 54 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single
Ezra Faber: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K on 53 pitches
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches
Game two:
For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would be the home team. In the top of the first, D. Titus would draw a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow that up with a single. After the Dragons decided to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases for a chance at a force out at any base, starter A.J. Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the early jam.
The Dragons, would go down quietly in the bottom of the first on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Rice, would toss a 1-2-3 top of the second with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would follow that with an RBI double that scored Lowit to make it 1-0 Dragons. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch it into a triple. The Bulldogs, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
Rice, picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Georgia Southern commit Will Holder, would strike out the side to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0.
Rice, would continue his nice outing with a scoreless fourth inning as he picked up his 6th strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach on a 1-out triple. After a strikeout, Sutton, would come in to score as Lowit would reach on an error. Starks, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.
Pitch runner Zach Williams, would come around to score on a single by Sam Hammontree to make it 3-0 Dragons. Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Dawson Holland, would add to the lead with a 2-RBI double that scored Starks and Hammontree. It looked like Davis got under the tag, but he would be called out to end the fourth. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 5-0.
Rice, would pick up his 7th, 8th, and 9th strikeout in the top of the fifth as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on a line out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 5-0.
The Bulldogs, would look to make it a game in the top of the sixth as W. Spivey, D. Titus, and Holder, reached back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. Rice, would settle down as he picked up his 10th and 11th strikeout and a ground out to get out of the sixth without any damage done. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Harlem, 5-0.
Dylan Walls would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh to try and close things out. After a line out, T. Lindo, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Lindo, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. D. Smith, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. An RBI single by W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo to make it 5-1. Walls, would settle in and pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out.
Walls, would then get Holder to ground out to Rice at short. Rice would step on 2nd to force out Spivey and the Dragons would take game two, 5-1 to sweep the series and advance to the Final Four.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K on 105 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches
The Dragons, will have to be road warriors once again as they head down to LaGrange to take on Troup County in a best of three series starting on Tuesday, May 13th in a doubleheader.
Dragons advance to fourth straight Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was the start of the AAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday, April 25th as the #8 seed Pickens Dragons, took on the #25 seed Dougherty Trojans in a best of three series in the first round. The Dragons, would take game one, 16-1 in four innings. Game two, was back and forth with the Dragons breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. After waiting out a line of storms, the Dragons defeated the Trojans in game two, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Game one:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. After a fly out, Rice, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. He would then move up to 3rd after a balk was called. Rice, would then come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to reach 1st. Kam Jenkins, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Dawson Lowit, would bring in Sutton to score after reaching on an error by the short stop. Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons.
Lowit, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowit and Davis with a 2-run single to make it 5-0. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Rice, would drive in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons after one.
Rice, would pick up where he left off in the top of the first as he struck out a pair and forced a ground out in a scoreless second. In the bottom of the second, Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Hammontree, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Davis, would bring in both Dunlap and Hammontree with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the third.
In the top of the third, Kingston Offord, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans with a lead off single. Offord, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, Offord, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Offord, would come in to score as Joshua Weaver would reach on an error to make it 10-1. Jenkins, would throw out Weaver trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons ahead, 10-1.
Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. The Trojans, would then pick up a double play as Sutton would line out to short, and Starks would be caught in no-man’s-land as he would get thrown out at 1st. The Trojans, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Dougherty, 10-1.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. Faber, would work around a 1-out walk as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Lowit, would lead off with a double. Hammontree, would then reach on an error as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff would advance to 3rd on the play. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.
Davis, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 11-1. Holland, would then drive in Hammontree with a single to make it 12-1. Allen, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-RBI triple to make it 14-1. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Rice, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 15-1.
Starks, would draw a walk to again put runners at the corners. Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to walk it off and seal the game one win for the Dragons, 16-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 walk on 49 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 3-3 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game two:
For game two, the teams flipped sides with Dougherty being the designated home team. In the top of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Rice, would be picked off at 2nd. It looked like he had gotten his foot underneath the tag, but he was called out. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.
Dragons starter Christian Starks, would toss a scoreless bottom of the first with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a double. An error by the left fielder, would allow Jenkins to come around to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sam Hammontree, would be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a fly out, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.
Jennings Allen, would then work a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. The Trojans, would get out of the bases loaded jam as they would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Starks, would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a ground out, a fly out and a pop out. The Trojans, would also go down in order in the bottom of the inning as Starks would induce three ground outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, it was more of the same for the Dragons as they went down 1-2-3 a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Miller, would reach with a lead off double. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. Courtesy runner Rodney Pruitt, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would then make a great play as he would catch a pop fly tailing into foul territory, and then turn and throw the back towards home.
A 2-out RBI single by Kameron Knighton, would bring in Pruitt to tie the game at 1. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the game all knotted up at 1.
Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a pop out, Holland, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Abernathy, hitting in Starks’ spot, would draw a walk to load the bases. The Dragons, thought they had taken the lead as it looked like Cade Sutton had reached on a fielder’s choice.
However, the umpires would call interference on Abernathy which meant Sutton would be called out, ending the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, after a strikeout, Kingston Offord, would reach on a 1-out single. Offord, would then advance to 2nd on a ground out. Offord, would then take a risk and steal 3rd with 2-outs. Brayden Still, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners.
Still, would then advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Abernathy, would settle in and pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 1.
In the top of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would reach on an error by the short stop. Hammontree and Matthew Davis, would then be hit by back to back pitches to load the bases with 1-out. Holland, would clear the bases with a 3-run triple to make it 4-1 Dragons. Allen, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-1. The Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Abernathy in the bottom of the sixth. After Walls forced a ground out for the first out, the storms came. After a couple hour delay, the game would resume. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Walls. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth as Lowit would throw out a would be base stealer, and Jenkins would induce a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-1.
In the top of the seventh, Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own. Lowit, would follow suit and draw a third straight walk to load the bases. Zach Williams, pitch-hitting for Hammontree, would bring in both Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 7-1. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 8-1.
After Davis was hit by a pitch, Holland, would draw a walk to load the bases. Allen, would bring in both Williams and Davis to make it 10-1. Holland, would then come in to score on a balk to make it 11-1. Allen, would come in to score on a passed ball to make it 12-1. The Trojans, would get out of the seventh with a double play. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 12-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would work around a 1-out hit batsman as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts as the Dragons defeated the Trojans, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 double and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 47 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, and 2 K on 19 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2 hit by pitch and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 walk and 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 35 pitches
Dylan Walls: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 5 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, advance to the Sweet 16 where they will take on the #9 seed LaGrange Grangers. LaGrange, swept the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the next round. The best of three series will begin on Thursday, May 1st, with a doubleheader. Times yet to be determined as of this writing.
Dragons split doubleheader with GAC to end regular season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2025
Norcross, Ga — The regular season of high school baseball was winding down as the Pickens Dragons took to the road to take on the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th. By virtue of their win on Tuesday, the Dragons, locked up the #2 seed in 6-AAA with an outside shot at the #1 seed. The Spartans, came in wanting to improve their post season ranking before they go off to their tournament. The Spartans, would take game two, 5-3. The Dragons, would come back to take game three, 7-5.
Game 1:
A.J. Rice, would lead off the top of the first with a single. The Spartans, would then turn a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the first as Sutton would be caught trying to take 3rd on a double steal attempt.
Z. Koons, would lead off the bottom of the first by getting hit with the first pitch he saw. D. Watkins, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Dragons, would then decide to intentionally walk J. Bowens to load the bases. After a strikeout, S. Phillips, would bring in Koons with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Spartans.
T. Joiner, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Spartans were ahead, 1-0.
Sam Hammontree, would look to get something started as he would draw a walk with 1-out. After a pop out for the second out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going for the Dragons with a 2-out single to load the bases. Rice, would give the Dragons the lead with a bases clearing 3-RBI double. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error by the short stop to put runners at the corners.
The Spartans, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, H. Glime, would lead off with a single. P. Wilson, would follow that by drawing a walk. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would force Koons to ground into a 4-3 double play. Glime, would advance to 3rd on the play. Watkins, would then drive in Glime with an RBI single to make it 3-2 Dragons.
Starks, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-2.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of pop outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the game for the first out. Philips, would reach after being hit by a pitch. After a ground out, M. Lazarus, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks, would get out of the third with his 3rd strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led it, 3-2.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the fourth by drawing a full count walk. He would be left stranded as the Spartans would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double. After a strikeout, Koons, would advance to 3rd after a throwing error. After intentionally walking Bowens, I. Cobb, would bring in both Koons and Bowens with a 2-RBI double.
The Dragons, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3.
The Dragons, would again go down quietly in the top of the fifth after a ground out, a fly out, and a dropped 3rd strike. After a fly out, Lazarus, would look to get something started for the Spartans by drawing a walk. Lazarus, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Glime, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, Koons, would draw a walk to load the bases. Walls, would pick up a strikeout to get out of the fifth and keep it a 4-3 game heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would look to get a rally going as he drew his 2nd walk of the game. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Davis, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Bowens, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to make it 5-3 Spartans.
Cobbs, would follow that up with a single. Phillips, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner R. Umphenour, would be forced out at 2nd. Walls, would get out of the sixth after forcing a double play. Heading to the seventh, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
After a ground out and a strikeout, Sutton, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk. The Spartans, were able to close things out with a ground out to take game one of the doubleheader, 5-3.
Stats for the Dragons in game one:
A.J. Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 3 RBI
Christian Starks: 4.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K on 89 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Sam Hammontree: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches
Game 2:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Ezra Faber, would work around a pair of back to back hit batsmen to get out of an early jam with a pair of ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a single. The Spartans, would clear the bases with a 4-6-3 double play. A ground out, would get the Spartans out of the second. Faber, would only need 9 pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the third by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a strikeout, A.J. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons.
The Spartans, would get out of the third after Starks would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Z. Koons, would pick up the first hit for the Spartans with a 1-out single. Koons, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a line out, the Dragons would intentionally walk J. Bowens, Faber, would force a line out for the second out.
A 2-out RBI single by I. Cobbs, would bring in Koons to tie the game at 1. M. Lazarus, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Bowens, would come in to score after a wild pitch. H. Glime, would bring in both Cobbs and Lazarus with a 2-RBI single. Glime, would advance to 2nd on the throw. T. Stopher, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Faber, would get out of the inning after a fly out. Heading to the fourth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-1.
In the top of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out single. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3. Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber in the bottom of the fourth. After a strikeout, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double.
D. Watkins, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Bowens, would bring in Koons with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a fly out.Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
Cade Sutton, would look to get something going for the Dragons as he drew a walk with 1-out. Jenkins, would follow that with a single. Lowit, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Hammontree, would then draw the third walk of the inning to bring in Sutton to make it 5-4. Holland, would draw the fourth walk of the inning as Jenkins would come in to score to tie the game at 5.
After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Hammontree, would come in to score as Allen would reach on an error by the short stop. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth after Rice would be robbed of a potential home run. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5. Glime, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a a walk.
Glime, would then be caught trying to steal 2nd. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, T. Joiner, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Joiner, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Abernathy, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
In the top of the sixth, Jenkins, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-out single. That would be all for the Dragons in the sixth as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pair of fly outs. Phillips, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After a fly out, Bowens, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy.
After a single by Cobbs to load the bases, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to keep the Dragons in front. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 7-5. After a fly out for the first out of the bottom of the seventh, Joiner and P. Wilson would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A passed ball, would lead to both Joiner and Wilson moving up a base.
Jenkins, would settle down and strikeout the next two batters to seal the 7-5 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 3 singles, 1 run scored and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K on 33 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 H on 58 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 52 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The Dragons, finish the 2025 regular season at 25-5. They will represent 6-AAA as the #2 seed in next week’s AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, will find out their seeding and who they will be facing on Monday, April 21st. The first round best of three series, will take place at Dunn Field with a doubleheader on Friday, April 25th with the “if” game on Saturday, April 26th if necessary.
Dragons win 8th straight in series opening shutout
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 9, 2025
Jasper, Ga — On Tuesday, April 8th, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to Dunn Field for game one of their three game set. The Dragons, were coming off their second straight sweep, while the War Eagles, were looking to bounce back after getting swept by GAC. Prior to the game, the all-time home run leader for the Dragons, Jake King, made an appearance and added to his record against the War Eagles. As for the game, Christian Starks and Kam Jenkins both went deep, and A.J. Rice, Ezra Faber, and Daven Abernathy combined for the shut out as the Dragons won it, 9-0.
In the top of the first, the Auburn commit, Rice, would strike out the side on 10 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Rice, would look to get something going as he reached with a 1-out single. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Rice and Lowit, would then pull off a double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Rice, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. Lowit and Sutton would also move up on the play. Matthew Davis, would then drive in both Lowit and Sutton with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Davis, would move up to 2nd on the play. Sam Hammontree, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a fly out as the Dragons led it, 3-0 heading to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Trenton Eaton as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a single. Allen, would be caught trying to steal 2nd as he slid off the bag just a bit. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk to reach. Rice, would bring in the courtesy runner, Daven Abernathy, with an RBI triple to make it 4-0.
Christian Starks, would then send one over the left-center field wall for a 2-run home run to make it 6-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sutton, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out to center. Heading to the third, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.
Ryland Head, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd for the first out. After Rice picked up his 7th strikeout, Thomas Martens, would draw a walk to keep the inning alive for the War Eagles. Rice, would end the third with his 8th strikeout. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the third with a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would pick up a ground out and his 9th and 10th strikeout in a scoreless frame to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Rice, would reach with a 1-out double. The War Eagles, would get out of the inning with back to back fly outs to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 6-0.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth. Faber, would work around a single and a walk to keep the War Eagles scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would lead off with a single. He would then advance to 2nd after a ground out. Hammontree, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be forced out at 3rd. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading, 6-0.
Faber, in his second inning of relief, would work around a lead off single in the top of the sixth as he picked up a strikeout, and a pair of pop outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. Allen, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Jenkins, would then send one down the left field line as it stayed just fair for a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to reach base.
Rice, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, an RBI single by Lowit, would bring in Rice to make it 9-0 Dragons. Sutton, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a grounder to 1st to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 9-0.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber for the top of the seventh. Abernathy, would work around a walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 9-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored & 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 10 K on 58 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-4 with 1 single and 2 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 28 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 19 pitches
The Dragons, will look to keep their winning way going as the series with the War Eagles will shift over to Chestatee on Thursday, April 10th for game two. The first pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons celebrate Senior Night with series sweep
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a special night for the Pickens Dragons as they honored four Seniors on Friday, March 28th for Senior Night. Sam Hammontree, Dawson Holland, Coleman Keener, and Cade Sutton were all in the starting 9 as the Dragons took on the Johnson Knights in the series finale. The Dragons, would take game three, 11-1 in five innings for the series sweep.
A welcomed sight for the Dragons in the top of the first as starting pitcher Dylan Walls, made his season debut. Walls, would work around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a fly out in his lone inning of work. In the bottom of the inning, Cade Sutton, would look to get something started after being hit with a pitch with 2-outs. The Knights, would get out of the first with no harm done. Heading to the second, Pickens and Johnson were tied at 0.
Christian Starks, would come on in relief of Walls in the top of the second. Starks, would strikeout the side on 14 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom half of the frame, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a lead off single. His courtesy runner, Zach Williams, would advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a ground out, Williams, would steal 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Williams with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Ezra Faber, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Coleman Keener, would then drive in both Hammontree and Faber with a 2-RBI double. A.J. Rice, would follow that up with an RBI double that scored Keener to make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the third.
Starks, would work a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons, would go down in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-0.
In the top of the fourth, Starks, in his third inning of relief, worked around a 1-out walk to pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Hammontree, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double. After a line out, Hammontree would steal 3rd. After a strikeout, Rice, would reach on an infield single that would score Hammontree to make it 5-0.
A single by Starks, would move Rice all the way to 3rd. Starks, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Rice, would come in to score after a wild pitch. Starks, would advance to 3rd on the play. Sutton, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-out. Sutton and Starks, would then pull off a double steal as Sutton would swipe 2nd, and Starks would steal home. Sutton, would advance to 3rd after the throw home got by the catcher.
Kam Jenkins, would then drive in Sutton with an RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the fifth.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the fifth. After a pair of strikeouts, the Knights, would load the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. Alex Alvarez, would reach on an error that would score Felipi Delgado to make it 8-1. Abernathy, would limit the damage to just the one run as he forced a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis, who came on a replacement for Dawson Holland, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Davis, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Caden Kirchoff, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Kirchoff would be forced out at 2nd.
Faber, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. An RBI ground out by Jennings Allen, would bring in Davis to make it 9-1. Rice, would then drive in Faber with an RBI double to make it 10-1 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 3rd to move up a base. Starks, would then reach on an infield single as Rice would come in to score to give the Dragons the 11-1 victory.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 3-4 with 1 single, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, & 3 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 29 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Coleman Keener: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk
Jennings Allen: 1 RBI
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 19 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches
6-AAA Region Standings:
North Hall: 14-5 (10-2)
Pickens: 17-4 (9-3)
GAC: 11-7 (8-4)
Dawson: 13-8 (8-4)
Chestatee: 6-15 (5-7)
Lumpkin: 10-10 (4-8)
White County: 9-11 (4-8)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-19 (0-12)
The Dragons, will take to the road to begin a three game series with the Dawson Tigers on Tuesday, April 1st. The Dragons, will be looking to keep pace with North Hall at the top of the region standings. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons shut out Knights to win series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 27, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip over to Gainesville on Thursday, March 27th to take on the Johnson Knights in game two of their three game region series. The Dragons, who took game one on Tuesday, 15-0 in three innings, were looking to pick up the series win and keep pace at the top of the region standings. The Dragons, did just that as the bats were alive and the pitching was spectacular as they came away with a 17-0 win in three innings.
Christian Starks, would reach base on an error with 1-out. Starks, would come around to score on an error to make it 1-0 Dragons early. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going with a single. He would make it all the way to 3rd on an error. Dawson Lowit, would knock in Jenkins with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Zach Williams, the courtesy runner for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position.
Matthew Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Williams and Davis, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Knights, would get out of the first with a fly out to center. Heading to the bottom of the frame, Pickens led Johnson, 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to send it to the second with the Dragons leading the Knights, 2-0.
Sam Hammontree, would lead off the top of the second with a double. An infield single by Jennings Allen, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A.J. Rice, would drive in both Hammontree and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Rice, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd.
Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI double to make it 5-0. Starks, would then steal 3rd. An RBI ground out by Jenkins, would make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Nunn, picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons ahead, 6-0.
Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Dawson Holland, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 3rd. After Holland stole 2nd to get into scoring position, Hammontree, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance Holland and Hammontree up a base.
Allen, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-put. Chase Hulsey, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, would drive in Holland with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Zach Williams, would then be hit with a pitch as Hammontree would come in to score. A double by Cade Sutton, would bring in both Allen and Hulsey to make it 10-0. Jenkins, would then drive in Williams with an RBI single to make it 11-0.
After Lowit drew a walk to load the bases, Davis, would drive in Sutton and Jenkins with a 2-RBI single to make it 13-0. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Daven Abernathy, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Davis, would move up to 3rd on the play. Caden Kirchoff, would keep the inning going with a walk. Coleman Keener, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 15-0.
Hulsey, would draw a walk to load the bases. Williams, would follow that by drawing a walk to bring in Kirchoff to make it 16-0. Keener, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 17-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third. Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the third. After a pair of strikeouts, Joe Sanchez, would reach base on an error. Sanchez, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.
Faber, would shake that off to pick up his 3rd strikeout of the inning to seal the 17-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Chase Hulsey: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 HBP, 1 BB, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 21 pitches
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 19 pitches
The Dragons, will look to sweep the series on Friday, March 28th in the series finale. It will also be Senior Night as the Dragons will honor the Seniors who have become the winningest class in Pickens Baseball history. The first pitch for the series finale is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons run rule Johnson to open series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day at the ball field as the Pickens Dragons took on the Johnson Knights of Gainesville in game one of their three game set on Tuesday, March 25th. The Dragons, were coming off of a big series win against Lumpkin last week. The Knights, haven’t had the best of seasons, but were looking to possibly spoil a season as we head towards the playoffs. The Dragons, got things going early and took home the win, 15-0 in three innings.
In the top of the first, Payton Rose, would get things started for the Knights by getting hit with a pitch. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would bounce back with a strikeout. Kam Jenkins, would then throw out Rose trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would pick up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the frame, Christian Starks, would reach on a two base error with 1-out.
Starks, would then steal 3rd. Starks, would then come in on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. A pair of 2-out walks drawn by Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would put runners at 1st and 2nd. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would bring in courtesy runner Daven Abernathy to make it 2-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. An RBI single by Dawson Holland, would bring in Lowit to make it 3-0 Dragons heading to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would pick up two more strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a double. Rice, would follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Allen, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on the wild pitch. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a ground out, Jenkins, would drive in Starks to make it 6-0. Lowit, would add on to the lead with a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Davis, would keep the inning going with a triple. He would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 9-0 Dragons. After back to back walks from Holland and Sam Hammontree, Allen, would load the bases with a single.
Rice, would help himself out by clearing the bases with a 3-RBI triple to make it 12-0. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 13-0. Starks, would advance to 2nd after an error on the play. Chase Hulsey, would come on to pitch hit for Cade Sutton. Hulsey, would reach base after being hit with a pitch. The Knights, would finally get out of the second with a ground out and a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Knights, 13-0.
In the top of the third, Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Rice. After a strikeout, Felipi Delgado, would reach base after drawing a walk. Alex Alvarez, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Delgado and Alvarez, would then move up a base after a wild pitch. Abernathy, would settle in to pick up a strikeout and a ground out to keep the Knights scoreless and send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons leading, 15-0.
In the bottom of the third, Caden Kirchoff, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Kirchoff, would then move up to 3rd on another wild pitch. Ezra Faber, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Coleman Keener, would reach on an error by the second baseman.
Abernathy, would then be hit with a pitch to load the bases. J. Walker, would bring in Faber on a fielder’s choice to seal the win for the Dragons, 15-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored, & 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 hit batsman, 0 BB, 4 K on 25 pitches
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 HBP, 2 runs scored, & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 hit batsman, 2 K on 24 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored
J. Walker: 1 RBI
Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
The series will now shift over to Gainesville as game two will take place on Thursday, March 27th at Johnson. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Missed opportunities costly in Dragons loss to Trojans
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 14, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, came into their game against the North Hall Trojans on Thursday, March 13th looking to even up the series after a tough defeat on Tuesday in the series opener. After a bit of a weather delay, the game would get going and as you would expect, was tightly contested. The Trojans, would use some more late inning heroics to pull off another 3-2 win over the Dragons.
Starting pitcher for the Dragons, Ezra Faber, would work around a 1-out single as he would force a ground out, a pop out, and pick up his first strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom half of the first. In the bottom half of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a four pitch walk. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Trojans starter Smith McGarvey, would make a nice play on a come backer by Christian Starks for the first out.
Cade Sutton, would draw a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a full count walk to load the bases. McGarvey, would pick up a strikeout for the second out. Matthew Davis, would then draw a bases loaded walk to bring in Rice to make it 1-0. Sam Hammontree, would follow by drawing another walk to bring in Sutton to make it 2-0 Dragons.
The Trojans, would then make a pitching change as starting 1st baseman Micah Jimmerson, would come on in relief of McGarvey. Jimmerson, would get the Trojans out of the first as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the second, Pickens led North Hall, 2-0.
Faber, would pick up a fly out, and his 2nd strikeout for the first two outs of the second inning. A lined shot by Custis Honeycutt, that just got past Rice at short, would keep the inning alive for the Trojans. Campbell Payton, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. An RBI single by Jake Beard, would bring in Honeycutt to make it 2-1. Faber, would get out of the second with a ground out.
In the bottom of the second, Rice, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded at 1st however as Jimmerson would pick up a fly out and a strikeout to send it to the third with the Dragons leading the Trojans, 2-1.
The Trojans, were looking to tie or even take the lead as Ty Kemp and McGarvey, would draw back to back walks to begin the top of the third. Faber, would get out of the third after picking up his 3rd strikeout, and a 5-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the inning. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the third with an infield single. Dawson Holland, would then drive one to deep right field, which allowed courtesy runner Coleman Keener, to advance to 2nd.
Jimmerson, would again escape with no damage done as he picked up a pop out and a fly out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 2-1.
In the top of the fourth, Faber, would work around a 1-out single by Honeycutt, as he picked up a pop out, a fly out, and his 4th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Dawson Lowitt and Jennings Allen, would lead off with back to back singles. Rice, would bunt pitch runner Caden Kirchoff and Allen over to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out.
Kirchoff, would get caught in a rundown for the second out. The play allowed Allen to advance to 3rd, and Starks to 2nd. Jimmerson, would get out of the inning with a ground out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 2-1.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber in the top of the fifth. He would pick up a ground out for the first out. After a 1-out single by Kemp, Abernathy would get McGarvey to fly out to left field. Kenny Foudy, would give the Trojans the lead with a 2-run home run. Abernathy, would bounce back with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth with the Trojans leading, 3-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Holland, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as Jimmerson, would pick up a pop out and a ground out to send it to the sixth with the Trojans leading, 3-2.
In the top of the sixth, Abernathy, would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would look to get something started as he would be hit by a pitch with 2-outs. Jimmerson and the Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out to send it to the seventh with North Hall leading Pickens, 3-2.
In the top of the seventh, Abernathy, in his third inning of relief, would pick up his 5th strikeout, and a pair of fly outs in a scoreless frame to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Jimmerson, would get the Dragons in order as the Trojans would come away with another 3-2 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 1-3 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single
Ezra Faber: 4 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 3 BB on 62 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 5 K, 0 BB on 41 pitches
The Dragons, will look to end the series on a good note as game three takes place on Friday, March 14th back at North Hall. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons sweep Warriors to begin region play
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 8, 2025
Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took to the road on Friday, March 7th as they took on the White County Warriors in the third and final game of the series. After taking the first two games of the series, the Dragons, were looking for the series sweep. After getting runs from the 2nd-5th inning, the Dragons, picked up the win in the series finale, 8-1.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top half of the first as Warriors starting pitcher, Shelton Ramey, would force a ground out, a fly out, and pick up his first strikeout of the game. In the bottom of the first, Trevor Butler, would draw a lead off walk. Dragons starting pitcher, Christian Starks, would induce a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Caleb Campbell, would keep the inning alive for the Warriors as he drew a 2-out walk.
Starks, would get out of the first inning with his first strikeout of the game. Heading to the second inning, Pickens and White County, were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a hustle double as the ball would fall in between several Warriors in no mans land. Matthew Davis, would move the courtesy runner Zach Williams over to 3rd with a ground out. After Ramey picked up a strikeout for the 2nd out, Williams, would come in to score after a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. Ramey, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up his 2nd and 3rd strikeout of the game, and fielded a comebacker for the ground out. Heading to the top of the third, Pickens led White County, 1-0.
Ezra Faber, would lead off the top of the third by working a full count walk to reach 1st. A double by Jennings Allen, would put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. A.J. Rice, would bring in Faber with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0 Dragons. Allen, would advance to 3rd on the play. Allen, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 heading to the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up two quick outs with a ground out and a strikeout. Butler, would keep the inning going by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. Starks, would get out of the inning with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led White County, 3-0.
Davis, would add to the Dragons lead in the top of the fourth as the lefty would pull one over the right field fence for a solo home run to make it 4-0. Ramey, would get out of the fourth with a pair of ground outs. In the bottom of the fourth, Campbell, would lead off by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. After picking up his 5th strikeout, Brady Gaddis, would draw a walk. John Bannon, would pick up the Warriors first hit of the game to load the bases with 1-out.
Starks, would do a good job of settling in and calming himself down as he would pick up his 6th and 7th strikeout of the game to keep the Warriors scoreless. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led White County, 4-0.
In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out double. Rice, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a strikeout, Cade Sutton, would send a shot down the right field line for a 2-RBI triple as both Allen and Rice would come in to score. Jenkins, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by drawing a walk.
Davis, would then reach on a two base error as both Sutton and courtesy runner Zach Williams, would come in to score in the play to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the bottom of the fifth. The Warriors, would threaten a big inning yet again as they would load the bases. Abernathy, would work around a pair of walks and a single to keep the Warriors scoreless. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 8-0.
In the top of the sixth, Sam Hammontree, would lead off by drawing a walk. Caden Kirchoff, would come in to pitch run for Hammontree. Warriors relief pitcher, Josh Adams, would pick up a strikeout and two fly outs to keep the Dragons off the board. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, in his second inning of relief, would force three ground outs in a scoreless frame. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Warriors, 8-0.
Dawson Lowitt, would lead off the top of the seventh with a single. Chase Hulsey, who would come in to pitch run for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a pair of strikeouts, Williams, would draw a 2-out walk. Hulsey, would advance to 3rd on a passed ball to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Adams, in his 2nd inning of relief, would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kam Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy. Carter Nguyen, would lead off the inning with an infield single. Butler, would then draw his 3rd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Alex Freeman, would then reach on an error to load the bases. After Jenkins would strike out Campbell for the first out, Ramey, would bring in Nguyen with an RBI ground out to make it 8-1.
Jenkins, would close out the game with his second strikeout of the inning as the Dragons would pick up the win, 8-1. The Dragons, sweep the series, 3-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 7 K, 5 BB on 69 pitches
Dawson Lowitt: 1-1 with 1 single
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, and 1 walk & 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB on 25 pitches
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk
Ezra Faber: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored
Chase Hulsey: 1 steal
Zach Williams: 1 walk and 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 K, 2 BB on 31 pitches
6-AAA Baseball Standings:
Pickens: 11-1 (3-0)
Lumpkin: 9-2 (3-0)
North Hall: 7-3 (3-0)
Dawson: 8-4 (3-0)
White County: 5-6 (0-3)
GAC: 3-6 (0-3)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-10 (0-3)
Chestatee: 1-11 (0-3)
The Dragons, will begin probably the most important series of the season as they will travel down to Gainesville to start a three game set with the North Hall Trojans. Most polls have the Dragons and Trojans #2 and #3 in AAA. Game one, will be on Tuesday, March 11th at North Hall. First pitch scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Sutton’s big day helps Dragons stay undefeated
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 28, 2025
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, February 27th, the Pickens Dragons took on the Fannin County Rebels for the other half of rivalry week. All three “515” teams, Pickens, Gilmer, and Fannin, scheduled each other this week as region play for each team looms. The Dragons, got a big game from Senior Cade Sutton as he helped lead the Dragons to an 8-3 win over the Rebels.
Sophomore Jackson Nunn got the start for the Dragons. The Rebels, would strike first as Carson Callihan, would send one out to left field where a nice breeze was blowing, and it would carry over the fence for a home run. After a fly out for the second out, Paul Stroemer Jr and Gavin Davis, would draw back to back walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Nunn, would get out of the inning by forcing a pop out to send it to the bottom of the first with the Rebels up, 1-0.
Junior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, would get things started in the bottom of the first for the Dragons as he led off with a single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would then take 3rd after a wild pitch. After a pop out, Cade Sutton, would send a shot over the left field fence to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. After a ground out, Dawson Lowitt, would keep the inning alive by drawing a walk. Sam Hammontree, would then follow with a single.
The Rebels, would get out of the first with just the 2 runs given up as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the top of the second, Pickens led Fannin, 2-1.
Nunn, would begin the second inning by picking up the first two outs fairly quickly. Tucker Dockery, would keep the inning going for the Rebels with a 2-out double. Elijah Weaver, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Callihan, would come up and lace a double into the left center gap that would score both courtesy runner Heath Bradburn, and Weaver to make it 3-2 Rebels.
Nunn, would get out of the top of the second with a pop out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom half of the frame, Matthew Davis, would lead off by getting hit with a pitch. He would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Jennings Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A deep fly out to center by Rice, would allow Davis to advance to 3rd.
Allen, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Christian Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be tagged out at home. Allen, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would steal 2nd to move into scoring position. Sutton, would keep his good night going as he would drive in both Allen and Starks with a 2-RBI double to make it 4-3 Dragons heading to the third.
Nunn, would only need four pitches to get out of the top of the third as he forced two ground outs and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Hammontree, would reach after his second single of the day. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rebels starting pitcher Mason McDaniel, would force a fly out and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-3.
Nunn, would again have a short inning of work as he would only need 6 pitches to pick up a strikeout and two ground outs to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Starks, would reach with his first hit of the day with a 2-out single. He would then steal both 2nd and 3rd. Sutton, would then reach after an error which allowed Starks to come in to score to make it 5-3.
After Kam Jenkins beat out an infield hit, Lowitt, would bring in Sutton with a single to make it 6-3 heading to the top of the fifth.
Ezra Faber would come on in relief of Nunn in the top of the fifth. Callihan, would draw a 1-out walk to reach first. Callihan, would advance to 2nd as Colton Grey was thrown out at 1st after a ground out. Faber, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fifth, Davis, would draw a 1-out walk to reach.
Davis, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. Rice, would then draw a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Rebels, would get out of the fifth without any damage done after a pop out to send it to the sixth, Pickens leading, 6-3.
Gavin Davis, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk. After a strikeout for the first out, Davis, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Bristol Hughes, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would look to steal 3rd, but Jenkins would throw him out for the second out. Faber, would then come back from a 3-1 count to pick up his second strikeout of the inning to send it to the bottom of the sixth.
Sutton, would pick up his 3rd hit of the night as he led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Jenkins, would be thrown out at 1st after a ground out to 3rd. Sutton, would then try to take 3rd on the throw to 1st. The ball would get by the third baseman and Sutton would come in to score to make it 7-3.
Hammontree, would keep the inning going for the Dragons as he would reach on an error. Hammontree, would come around to score after Dawson Holland, would reach on an infield single. The ball would get away after a throwing error allowing Hammontree to come in to score to make it 8-3 heading to the seventh.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber to try and close things out in the top of the seventh. Abernathy, would toss a 1-2-3 seventh as he forced two ground outs and a fly out on just 6 pitches. The Dragons, defeat the Fannin County Rebels, 8-3.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 3 steals, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 3-4 with 1 home run, 2 singles, 2 steals, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Dawson Lowitt: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 hit by pitch, 1 walk, and 1 steal
Jennings Allen: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 4 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K on 53 pitches
Ezra Faber: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K on 45 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB on 6 pitches
The Dragons, will be back in action on Friday, February 28th as they hit the road to take on the Ringgold Tigers. This will be the final non-region game for the Dragons before 6-AAA play starts next week. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
Dragons defeat Bobcats in 515 match up
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 19, 2025
Ellijay, Ga — It was rivalry Tuesday on February 18th as the Pickens Dragons, took the short bus ride up to Ellijay to battle the Gilmer Bobcats. The Dragons, came into the game with a record of 3-0. The Bobcats, came in with a record of 1-1. While this game was tightly played the majority of the way, the Dragons, pulled away late to pick up the 14-6 win.
AJ Rice, would lead off the game with a single. He would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball and to 3rd on a wild pitch. Rice, would come in to score on another passed ball as Christian Starks would reach on a walk. Cade Sutton, would drive in Starks with an RBI double. Kam Jenkins, would follow that up with his own RBI double as he brought in Sutton to make it 3-0.
A single by Dawson Lowitt, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Sam Hammontree, would then reach on an error as courtesy runner Coleman Keener, would come in to score to make it 4-0. Lowitt, would come in to score after an RBI knock by Dawson Holland. After a sacrifice bunt by Matthew Davis moved the runners over to 2nd and 3rd, The Bobcats, were able to send it to the bottom of the first trailing 5-0.
The Bobcats, would get 2 runs back in the bottom half of the first as Noah Gutillo would bring in Haden West with a double, and Hayden Berry would drive in Gutillo with an RBI sacrifice fly. Heading to the second, Pickens led Gilmer, 5-2.
Starks, would lead off the top of the second with a first pitch double to center. Sutton, would then bring in Starks with his second double of the game to make it 6-2. After Jenkins drew a walk to reach 1st, the Bobcats, would pick up a fly out and two ground outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats, would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second as Blake Grizzle would come in to score on a passed ball. Heading to the third, The Dragons led it, 6-3.
The Bobcats, would pick up their first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third as Cooper Cochran came on in relief of Berry. In the bottom of the third, Mel Mosley, would drive in Eli Cooper to make it 6-4 Dragons heading to the top of the fourth.
Jenkins and Lowitt, would draw a pair of back to back 2-out walks in the top of the fourth. Cochran, in his second inning of relief, would get out of the fourth with no damage done. Jackson Nunn, in his second inning of relief work for the Dragons, would send it to the fifth as the Bobcats would leave Peyton Chancey stranded at 2nd. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 6-4.
Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth with a double. Davis, would follow with a single. He would make it to 2nd after a throw from the outfield. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Holland and Davis with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-4. After Rice drew a walk, he would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Starks, would drive in Rice with an RBI triple to make it 9-4.
Sutton, would bring in Starks with an RBI ground out to make it 10-4. The Bobcats, would get out of the inning with a strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the fifth, Pickend led Gilmer, 10-4. The Bobcats, would once again stay within striking distance as they would score two runs off a pair of errors in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Bobcats, 10-6.
The Dragons, got those two runs back in the top of the sixth as pitch runner Coleman Keener, would score on a ground out. Rice, would bring in Holland with an RBI single to make it 12-6 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Chase Hulsey, on in relief of Nunn, worked around back to back singles as he forced a fly out, and induced a 5-3 double play to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 12-6.
Sutton, would lead off the top of the seventh with his 3rd double of the game. Jenkins, would drive in Sutton with an RBI double to make it 13-6. Lowitt, would bring in courtesy runner Daven Abernathy, with an RBI single to make it 14-6. Hammontree, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland, would line out to 1st and Hammontree would be tagged out by the 1st baseman for a double play.
A ground out, would get the Bobcats out of the top half of the inning and send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Hulsey, would force a pair of ground outs and pick up a strikeout in a 1-2-3 seventh to secure the 14-6 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
AJ Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 triple, 1 steal, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored & 2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K, 1 BB on 33 pitches
Cade Sutton: 3-5 with 3 doubles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 2 doubles, 3 walks, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-5 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 3-5 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-4 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Coleman Keener: 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
The Pickens Dragons, will be back at home on Wednesday, February 19th as they play host to East Paulding. First pitch is set for 4 pm.
Dragons run rule Phoenix to open season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 11, 2025
Calhoun, Ga — It was opening day for the high school baseball season in the state of Georgia on Monday, February 10th as teams from around the state began their 2025 campaign. Two of those teams were the Pickens Dragons and the Sonoraville Phoenix. The Dragons, came in ranked 5th in AAA to start the season and were looking to continue the run of success they’ve built the past couple of seasons. Led by Auburn commit AJ Rice, and a offense that came out swinging, the Dragons, defeated the Phoenix 14-0 in five innings.
Rice and Christian Starks, would lead off the game by drawing back to back walks. Cade Sutton, would drive in Rice with an RBI double to give the Dragons an early 1-0 lead. Kam Jenkins, would follow that by knocking in Starks and Sutton with a 2-RBI double to make it 3-0 Dragons. The Phoenix, would get out of the top of the first with a pop out, and two strikeouts.
Rice, took to the mound in the bottom of the frame and started off sharp. Rice, would strikeout the side on 15 pitches to send it to the top of the second with the Dragons leading the Phoenix, 3-0.
Ezra Faber, would lead off the top of the second by getting hit with a pitch. Jennings Allen, would then reach on a fielder’s choice to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A grounder by Rice, would move Faber and Allen to 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Starks, would then bring in both Faber and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-0. Starks, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position.
A grounder by Sutton, would move Starks up to 3rd. Starks, would come in to score after a pick off attempt went past the infield to make it 6-0. The Dragons, would then load the bases as Jenkins would reach on an error, Dawson Lowitt would draw a walk, and Dawson Holland would get hit with a pitch. The Phoenix, would get out of the jam after forcing a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second.
After Rice picked up his fourth straight strikeout to begin the bottom of the second, Hudson Kinman would reach base with a 1-out single. Rice, would work around that as he picked up his 5th strikeout and forced a line out to Starks. Heading to the top of the 3rd, Pickens led Sonoraville, 6-0.
Faber, would lead off the top of the third with a double. Allen and Rice, would then draw back to back walks to load the bases with nobody out. Starks, would draw a bases loaded walk to bring in Faber to make it 7-0. Sutton, would drive in Allen with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 8-0. After Jenkins would draw a walk to load the bases once again, Lowitt, would bring in both Rice and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third.
Jackson Nunn, would come on in relief of Rice in the bottom of the third. Nunn, would pick up a fly out, and two strikeouts as he worked around a 2-out single by Eli Bailiew to send it to the top of the fourth with the Dragons on top, 10-0.
Daven Abernathy, would lead off the top of the fourth by getting hit with a pitch after falling behind 0-2. Abernathy, would then take 3rd after a wild pitch. Rice, would draw another walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Starks, kept his big night going as he drove in both Abernathy and Rice with a 2-RBI double to make it 12-0. Starks, would then come into score on a throwing error to make it 13-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning.
Nunn, on for his 2nd inning of relief, worked around a 1-out double by Will Patterson and a 2-out walk drawn by Sam Dixon to leave runners stranded at the corners. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led Sonoraville, 13-0.
Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. Coleman Keener, would then reach on a 1-out single. Rice, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 14-0 Dragons. Sutton, would reach base on an error to load the bases with 2-out. The Phoenix, would pick up the strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth with the Dragons leading it, 14-0.
Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the fifth. Hulsey, would work around a lead off walk as he would force a ground out, and strikeout two to help seal the 14-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
AJ Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 3 walks, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored & 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K on 30 pitches
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 walks, 1 steal, 5 RBI and 4 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 sac fly, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 2 runs scored
Coleman Keener: 1-2 with 1 single
Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K on 40 pitches
Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 HBP, 2 K on 21 pitches
The Dragons, will be at Dunn Field for the 2025 home opener on Thursday, February 13th as they take on the Woodland Wildcats in non-region action. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons defeat Shiloh on Senior Night
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The rain held off long enough for there to be high school baseball on Wednesday, April 17th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Shiloh Generals for Senior Night. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 24-4 overall, 17-1 in 7-AAA, and ranked #2 in AAA. The Generals, came into the game 5-19 overall, and 1-15 in 6-AAAAAA Sub-Region B. In something you don’t see everyday, the Dragons drew more walks (14) than they had hits (6) in their 11-1 win.
In the top of the first, Senior starter for the Dragons, James Tilley, needed just 8 pitches to get out of the inning as he picked up his 1st strikeout, and two ground outs. In the bottom of the frame, Senior Connor Shouse, Senior Trey Payne, and Cade Sutton, drew three straight walks to load the bases with no one out. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Shouse with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Senior Trace Ledbetter, would then reach on an error as both Trey Payne and Sutton would come in to score to make it 3-0. After Christian Starks and Senior Tyler Payne drew back to back walks to load the bases once again, Dawson Holland would bring in Ledbetter by drawing a walk on a full count to make it 4-0 Dragons, The Generals, would get out of the first by getting a double play. Going to the second, Pickens led Shiloh, 4-0.
In the top of the second, Tilley, tossed a scoreless inning as he forced a ground out, and picked up two more strike outs to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Shouse, would reach by getting hit with a pitch. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A single by Trey Payne, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Sutton, would then draw his 2nd walk to load the bases.
Jenkins, would drive in Shouse with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-o Dragons. Ledbetter, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Trey Payne, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 6-0. Starks, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out to make it 7-0. The Generals, would get out of the second with a fly out. Going to the third, Pickens led Shiloh, 7-0.
In the top of the third, the Generals, would have their first base runner of the game as Nathan Miller would reach after an error. Miller, would then be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Tilley and the Dragons, would get out of the third after a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Holland would lead off with a single. Shouse, would reach base for a 3rd time with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would advance to 3rd, while Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. The Generals, would force a pop up to center for the third out. Going to the fourth, Pickens still led Shiloh, 7-0.
Senior Tate Hales came on in relief of Tilley in the top of the fourth. Anthony Vu, would look to get things going for the Generals as he led off with their first hit of the game. His courtesy runner, Brayden Brown, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Brown, would then steal 3rd. Traden Davis, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with nobody out.
Davis, would be thrown out by Jenkins as he tried to steal 2nd. Kendrick Green, would then draw a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. Green, would advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Brown, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 7-1. Green, would advance to 3rd on the same pitch. Hales and the Dragons, would get out of the 3rd after a pop up to 1st and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ledbetter, would reach for the 3rd time as he drew his 2nd walk of the game with 1-out. Tyler Payne, would keep the inning going with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. The Generals, were able to force a fly out to get out of the fourth without any damage done. Going to the fifth, Pickens led Shiloh, 7-1.
Senior Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Hales in the top of the fifth. Cannon, would get the Generals in order as he picked up a ground out and two strikeouts. Going to the bottom of the inning, it remained 7-1 Pickens. In the bottom of the fifth, A.J. Rice, would lead off by reaching on a single. He would advance to 2nd on an error. After a fly out, Trey Payne and Sutton would both be hit by pitches to load the bases with 1-out.
Ledbetter, would come through for the Dragons as he drove in Rice and Payne with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-1. Sutton would advance to 3rd on the hit. Ledbetter, would move up to 2nd on a passed ball to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Generals, would force a pop out to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading Shiloh, 9-1.
Senior Brodie Keener came on in relief of Cannon in the top of the sixth. Keener, would work a scoreless frame with a strikeout, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Payne would lead off by drawing a walk on a full count. Daven Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Tyler as he came out of the ball game to a nice ovation from the crowd.
Kyle Grno, who came on as a defensive substitution for Holland in the top of the inning, stayed in the game to hit and drew a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Jennings Allen, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, also drew a walk to load the bases. Coleman Keener, who came on as a defensive substitution for Shouse in the top of the inning, would bring in Abernathy after drawing a bases loaded walk to make it 10-1 Dragons.
Sam Dart, who came on as a defensive substitution for Trey Payne in the top of the sixth, would draw a walk on a full count to bring in Grno as the Dragons would get the win on Senior Night, 11-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 3 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 4 RBI
Christian Starks: 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Sam Dart: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Kyle Grno: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1 walk
James Tilley: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 36 pitches
Tate Hales: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB on 24 pitches
Cason Cannon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 16 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 15 pitches
While it was Senior Night on Wednesday, April 17th, the Dragons will be right back on the turf of Dunn Field on Thursday, April 18th as they take on the Dominion Christian Knights in the final game before the 3A State Tournament. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.