Dragons punch ticket to first ever state championship

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Calhoun, Ga — For the first time since the tournament started, the Pickens Dragons, were on the road as they made their way to Calhoun to begin a three game series with the Yellow Jackets on Thursday, May 14th. The winner, would punch their ticket to Columbus and the 3A State championship. The Dragons, behind some clutch hitting and some big time pitching, were able to sweep the doubleheader, 4-2 and 11-5 to advance to their first ever state championship.

 

Game One:

Jennings Allen, would look to get things started in the top of the first with a 1-out single. Kam Jenkins and AJ Rice, would then draw back to back walks to load the bases. Truitt Grubbs, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error that allowed courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff to score. R. Baxter and the Yellow Jackets, would get out of the first with a ground out.

In the bottom of the first, C. Ware, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, the Dragons starter, would pick up a pop out and a strikeout to send it to the second with the Dragons leading, 1-0.

 

In the top of the second, Robert Turner, would try to start a two out rally with a single. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the second with a line out. Rice, would strike out the side in the bottom half of the second to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.

 

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Rice, would bring his strikeout total to seven for the game as he would strike out the side for the second straight inning. Heading to the fourth, it was still 1-0 Dragons.

 

In the top of the fourth, Everett Grubbs, would reach after an error. The Yellow Jackets, would turn a double play to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Yellow Jackets stung. Ware, would lead off by drawing a walk. H. Chadwick, would put the Yellow Jackets on top with a 2-run home run. Baxter, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Rice, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout.

 

In the top of the fifth, Turner, would reach with his second hit of the day with a 1-out single. Turner, would then move up to 2nd after a balk was called. After a strikeout, Turner, would steal 3rd. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the fifth with a pop out. Rice, would settle down nicely in the bottom of the fifth as he would sit the Yellow Jackets in order on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the sixth, Calhoun led it, 2-1.

 

Rice, would help himself and his Dragon teammates out as he would lead off the sixth with a home run to tie the game at 2. After a pop out, Christian Starks, would give the Dragons the lead with a solo home run to make it 3-2. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Rice, now armed with the lead again, came out for the bottom of the sixth focused.

Rice, would fire a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Yellow Jackets, 3-2.

 

In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would advance to 2nd on a throwing error. Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI double to make it 4-2. Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on a line out to right field. The Yellow Jackets, would prevent any further damage by getting out of the seventh with a strikeout. In the bottom of the seventh, I. Nails, would lead things off by drawing a walk.

After a pop out, M. Peek, would draw the second walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance both Nails and Peek up a base. Rice, would gather himself, and pick up a strikeout and a pop out to seal the game one win for the Dragons, 4-2.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 steals

Jennings Allen: 2-4 with 2 singles and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 walk, and 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 13 K on 107 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single

 

Game Two:

For the second game, the Dragons, were the home team and the Yellow Jackets, were the visitors. In the top of the first, C. Stewart and C. Ware, would draw back to back walks to lead off the inning. A wild pitch, would advance both runners up a base. After a strikeout, R. Hood, would drive in both Stewart and Ware with a 2-RBI single. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with back to back strikeouts.

In the bottom of the first, Kam Jenkins, would look to get something started as he would be hit by a pitch with two outs. Yellow Jackets starter, M. Peek, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, Calhoun led Pickens, 2-0.

 

Peek, would lead off the top of the second by drawing a walk. After a wild pitch moved courtesy runner E. Bryant up to 2nd, M. Zander, would drive in Bryant with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Starks, would pick up a strikeout for the first out of the inning. Stewart, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jackson Nunn, would come in to pitch for the Dragons to try and get the final two outs of the second.

Nunn, would force a pop out for the second out. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Nunn, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. Truitt Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. T. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Starks, acting as the DH, would draw a walk as well to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out.

Everett Grubbs, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dawson Lowit, aka “Boogie”, would bring in T. Grubbs after being hit by a pitch to make it 3-1. Peek, would get out of the jam by striking out the side to send it to the third with the Yellow Jackets leading, 3-1.

 

In the top of the third, Nunn, would toss a 1-2-3 scoreless frame as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons struck. Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Kirchoff, would come in to score on a second wild pitch to cut the lead to 3-2. AJ Rice, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Dragons with a single.

T. Grubbs, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Rice, would move up to 3rd after a pop out to right. T. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd. Rice, would come in to score on a throwing error to tie the game at 3. E. Grubbs, would draw the third walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a strikeout, Matthew Davis, would drive in T. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 4-3 Dragons.

E. Grubbs would advance to 3rd on the play and Davis, would advance to 2nd on the same play. Robert Turner, would bring in both E. Grubbs and Davis with a 2-RBI double to make it 6-3. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the third with a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were now ahead, 6-3.

 

In the top of the fourth, the Yellow Jackets, looked to get a 2-out rally going as Stewart, would reach with a single. Ware, would follow that up by drawing a walk. Nunn, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, Jenkins, would reach with a lead off single. Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the fourth with a ground out, a strikeout, and a line out.

 

In the top of the fifth, I. Nails, would reach 2nd on an error with one out. Nails, would then try to steal 3rd, but would be thrown out by Jenkins for the second out. R. Baxter, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out double. Turner, would come in to pitch for the Dragons and would get out of the fifth after a ground out on the first pitch. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, broke things open.

Drew Dunlap, who came in to pitch hit for E. Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by getting hit by a pitch. Lowit, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch for the second time to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would reach on a single. Dunlap, would come around to score on a throwing error to make it 7-3. Tanner Bail, who came in to run for Lowit, would advance to 3rd and Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play.

Turner, would drive in Bail with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 8-3. Davis, would be thrown out at home trying to score on a wild pitch. Jennings Allen, Jenkins, and Rice, would draw back to back to back walks to load the bases. T. Grubbs, would then draw his third walk of the game to bring in Allen to make it 9-3. Starks, would drive in both Kirchoff and Rice with a 2-RBI double to make it 11-3 heading to the sixth.

 

In the top of the sixth, Zander, would reach with a lead off single. B. Davis, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Zander and Davis, would then move up a base on a wild pitch. Stewart, would bring in Zander with an RBI single to make it 11-4. E. Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons and he would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the inning.

E. Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a walk. J. williams, who came in to pitch for the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the fifth, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to get out of the sixth. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 11-4.

 

Nails, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. After a pop out and a strikeout, Nails, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Zander, would bring in Nails with an RBI single to make it 11-5. E. Grubbs, would force a pop out for the third out and the Dragons would take game two, 11-5 to sweep the series and advance to the 3A State Championship.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 double, and 3 RBI

Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 walks, and 1 hit by pitch

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

Truitt Grubbs: 3 walks, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 RBI

Everett Grubbs: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored, and 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 36 pitches

Drew Dunlap: 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2 hit by pitch, 1 RBI

Tanner Bail: 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Jackson Nunn: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 56 pitches

 

The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the defending 3A champs, the Troup County Tigers, who swept Peach County to advance to the State Championship. The Dragons, were eliminated by the Tigers in game three of the Final Four last season. The three game series will begin with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 23rd in Columbus at Synovus Park. The doubleheader is scheduled for 5 and 7:30 with the “if” game set for Monday, May 25th at 5 pm.

Dragons advance to Final Four for second straight year

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, May 7th, for the first time in school history, a boys team hosted an Elite Eight match up as the Pickens Dragons took on the West Laurens Raiders in a best of three series. The Dragons, came into the series as the #3 seed, while the Raiders came into the series as the #6 seed. Head coach Adam Williams, would pick up his 201st and 202nd career wins at PHS as the Dragons swept the doubleheader 3-1, and 5-0.

 

Game One:

Auburn commit AJ Rice, took the mound for the Dragons for game one. JD Hogan, would draw a lead off walk to begin the game. Hogan, would then be thrown out by Dragon catcher Kam Jenkins trying to steal 2nd. After a strikeout for the second out, Rice, would induce a ground out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Jenkins, would look to get a rally going after reaching on a 2-out double. The Raiders, would get out of the first with a pop out. Heading to the second inning, the game was still tied up at 0.

 

In the top of the second, the Raiders, would strike first as C. Pollock, would hit a solo home run with two outs to put West Laurens up, 1-0. Rice, would shake that off and force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second after a strikeout and a pair of pop outs. Heading to the third, the Raiders led it, 1-0.

 

Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a pair of ground outs in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis Jr, would reach by drawing a walk with 1-out. Davis Jr, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Robert Turner, would drive in Davis Jr with an RBI double tie the game at 1. Jennings Allen, would bring in Turner with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead.

Allen, would move up to 2nd on the throw to the plate. Allen, would then advance to 3rd after a line out. Rice, would help himself out by driving in Allen with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Courtesy runner Cooper Helmuth, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning going after getting hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

The bases would be loaded after the short stop tried to throw the ball to 3rd to try to get Helmuth, but it got away and everyone was safe. The Raiders, would get out of the third after a line out. Avoiding possible further damage. Heading to the fourth the Dragons led it, 3-1.

 

K. Clark, would draw a lead off walk to start the top of the fourth. After a pop out, Rice, would pick up a strikeout for the second out. Clark, would advance to 2nd after a delayed steal. Clark, would be left stranded at 2nd after Rice picked up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Dawson Lowit, would lead off the bottom of the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Tanner Bail, would then come in to run for Lowit.

Bail, would be left stranded at 1st however as D. Malone and the Raiders, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a pair of line outs. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons still led it, 3-1.

 

Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out in a 1-2-3 top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons were still ahead of the Raiders, 3-1.

 

Rice, who had been rolling since the home run in the second inning, picked a pair of strikeouts and a line out in a scoreless top of the sixth. Everett Grubbs, would get the bottom of the sixth going with a 1-out single. After a pop out, Malone, still pitching for the Raiders, would force a ground out to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still leading, 3-1.

 

G. Baker, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. B. Shepard, would follow that up by drawing a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Rice, would settle down to strikeout the side to seal the 3-1 win for the Dragons in game one.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 4 BB, 13 K on 99 pitches

Truitt Grubbs: 1 hit by pitch

Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single

Dawson Lowitt: 1 hit by pitch

Matthew Davis Jr: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Cooper Helmuth: 1 steal

 

Game Two:

For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons were the away team, and the Raiders were the home team. In the top of the first, Robert Turner, would lead off with a single. Jennings Allen, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Kam Jenkins, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. AJ Rice, would bring in Turner with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 1-0.

Truitt Grubbs, would then work a walk to reload the bases. Christian Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would come in to score to make it 2-0. Courtesy runners Caden Kirchoff and Cooper Helmuth, would then pull off a double steal to make it 3-0. Everett Grubbs, would draw another walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Helmuth, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners with 2-out.

The Dragons, would again try a double steal situation, but the Raiders would get Helmuth at the plate to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would pick up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the second, the Dragons led it, 3-0.

 

In the top of the second, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pop out, a line out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Starks, would pick up a line out and a pair of strikeouts to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading, 3-0.

 

Jenkins, would look to get something started in the top of the third as he reached with a 1-out single. Rice, would then follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. T. Grubbs, would draw his second walk of the game to load the bases. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Kirchoff and Rice with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons. T. Grubbs, would make it to 3rd on the play.

After Helmuth was thrown out trying to take 2nd, the Raiders, would get out of the third with a pop out. In the bottom of the third, N. Hester, would reach 2nd after a throwing error. T. Mascaro, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice made a great diving play at short and threw out Nester trying to get back to 2nd. JJ Giles, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Starks, would get out of the third with a pair of line outs. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led the Raiders, 5-0.

 

In the top of the fourth, Drew Dunlap, would lead off by drawing a walk. After a strikeout, Turner, would lace a double down the right field line to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. B. Milton and the Raiders, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, G. Baker, would draw a lead off walk. After a line out, Starks would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons up, 5-0.

 

The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth on a pop out and a pair of ground outs. In the bottom of the inning, Turner, would come in to pitch for the Dragons. Mascaro, would reach with a 1-out single. Giles, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Turner, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 5-0.

 

In the top of the sixth, Brock Teal, would draw a walk with two outs. The Raiders, would then pick off the runner at 1st to send it to the bottom of the sixth. Turner, back out there for the bottom of the sixth, would pick up a pop out and a pair of ground outs to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still ahead, 5-0.

 

Turner, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. Turner, would advance to 2nd after a ground out by Allen. After a pop out, Turner, would swipe 3rd. Milton, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the seventh. E. Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the seventh. C. Pollock, would draw a lead off walk to get the bottom of the seventh started for the Raiders.

After a strikeout, Mascaro, would pick up a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Giles, would then reach on an error as the bases would be loaded with 1-out. E. Grubbs, would settle in and pick up back to back strikeouts to seal the 5-0 win and send the Dragons to the Final Four for the second consecutive year.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

Robert Turner: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 run scored, and 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 31 pitches

Jennings Allen: 1-4 with 1 single, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 hit by pitch

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, 3 RBI, and 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K on 61 pitches

Everett Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, and 3 K on 30 pitches

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk

Brock Teal: 1 walk

Cooper Helmuth: 2 steals

 

The Dragons, will await their Final Four opponent as they will play the winner of the series finale between Oconee County and Calhoun starting with a doubleheader on Thursday, May 14th. The Dragons, will either be hosting Oconee County, or traveling to Calhoun.

Diamond Dragons advance to Elite Eight

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

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

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 take series against War Eagles

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

Stats for the Dragons:

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

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

Kam Jenkins: 1 RBI

Jackson Walker: 1-1 with 1 single

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

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

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

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

Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single

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

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

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

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

 

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

Rice and Davis combine to shutout War Eagles

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were on the road on Tuesday, April 7th as they took on the Chestatee War Eagles in game one of a three game series in 6-AAA play. The Dragons, were coming off a series win against the Dawson Tigers last week. The War Eagles, were looking to bounce back after being swept by GAC. Starter AJ Rice and reliever Nolan Davis, would combine to throw a 1-hit shutout as the Dragons picked up a 5-0 win.

 

The Dragons, would go down quietly in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Heading to the second inning, the Dragons and War Eagles, were still tied at 0.

 

Much like the top of the first, the Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the second as War Eagle starter Cort Hagerman, would pick up a pop out, a ground out, and a line out. In the bottom of the second, Rice, would pick up his third strikeout to go along with a ground out and a pop out. Heading to the third, the ball game was still knotted at 0 .

 

Everett Grubbs, would lead off the top of the third with the first hit of the game. after a pop out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A single by Robert Turner, would load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would drive in both E. Grubbs and M. Davis with a 2-RBI single to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a caught stealing and a ground out.

Rice, would continue his hot start to the game as he tossed a scoreless bottom of the third with a pop out and his 4th and 5th strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons, were now leading the War Eagles, 2-0.

 

The Dragons, would add to their lead in the top of the fourth as Christian Starks, would reach with a 2-out single. Starks, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 3-0. E. Grubbs, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The War Eagles, would get out of the fourth with a pop out.

In the bottom of the fourth, the War Eagles, would see their first base runner of the game as Riley Nix, would draw a walk with 1-out. Nix, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Rice, would settle in as he would strike out the next two batters he faced to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the War Eagles, 3-0.

 

The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth on a ground out and a pair of line outs. In the bottom of the fifth, Trenton Eaton, would lead off by getting hit with a pitch. Rice, would come back to pick up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Ethan Etris, would pick up the first hit of the game for the War Eagles to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Garrett Dunn, would draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Rice, would force a pop out to keep the War Eagles scoreless.

 

In the top of the sixth, after a pair of quick outs, Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by reaching on a 2-out single. Starks, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch. E. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Drew Dunlap, would reach on a single that would score T. Grubbs. Starks, would come in to score on a throwing error to make it 5-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would polish off a fantastic start with a ground out and his 11th and 12 strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the War Eagles, 5-0.

 

In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Allen, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Kam Jenkins, would move Allen over to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would be left stranded at 3rd as the War Eagles got out of the seventh with a strikeout. Nolan Davis, would come in to pitch the bottom of the seventh for the Dragons looking to preserve the shutout.

N. Davis, would get the first two outs of the bottom of the seventh via ground out and strikeout. Back to back 2-out walks drawn by Ryland Head and Ertis, would keep the game alive for the War Eagles. N. Davis, would pick up a strikeout to preserve the shutout as the Dragons took game one, 5-0.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single

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

Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored

Everett Grubbs: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI

Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 12 K on 89 pitches

Nolan Davis: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 24 pitches

 

The series will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Thursday, April 9th as the Dragons will look to pick up their sixth straight series win. The War Eagles, will look to tie the series up before the series finale on Friday back at Chestatee. Scheduled time for game two of the series on Thursday is set for 6 pm.

 

Dragons sweep Johnson on Senior Night

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, March 26th, the Pickens Dragons were back at Dunn Field as they welcomed the Johnson Knights for the third and final game of their series. It was also Senior Night as the Dragons recognized five Seniors for their contributions to PHS Baseball. The Dragons, would pick up their 20th win of the season as they defeated the Knights, 15-0 in four innings.

 

Senior Christian Starks, made his first start of the season for the Dragons as he worked his way back from an arm injury. Starks, would strikeout the side in the top of the first on 11 pitches. Senior Robert Turner, would lead off the bottom of the inning by drawing a walk. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Jennings Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI triple to make it 1-0 Dragons.

Senior Kam Jenkins, would bring in Allen with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Courtesy runner Cal Morrison, would steal 2nd to move into scoring position. Dawson Lowit, would drive in Morrison with an RBI single. After a single by Truitt Grubbs, Starks, would help himself out with an RBI double that scored Lowit to make it 4-0. T. Grubbs, would advance to 3rd on the play.

Everett Grubbs, would bring in his brother Truitt with an RBI sac fly to make it 5-0. Courtesy runner Andrew McQueen, would move up a base after stealing 3rd. Senior Caden Kirchoff, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would bring in McQueen to make it 6-0. Both Kirchoff and Davis, would move up a base after a wild pitch.

After an infield fly was called for the second out, Allen, would draw a walk to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in both Kirchoff and Davis with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the second.

 

In the top of the second, Starks, would face one more batter and he would pick up his fourth strikeout before being taken out to a round of applause. Jackson Nunn, would come in to get the final two outs of the top of the second as the Dragons still led, 8-0. Lowit, would lead off the bottom of the second with a triple. T. Grubbs, would then reach on a walk to put runners at the corners.

Nunn, would follow that up with a walk of his own to load the bases. E. Grubbs, would reach on an error after T. Grubbs, would be forced out at 3rd. Lowit, would score on the play. McQueen would advance to 3rd and E. Grubbs would move up to 2nd on the throw. Kirchoff, would bring in both McQueen and E. Grubbs with a double to make it 11-0. After a ground out, Drew Dunlap, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 12-0 heading to the third.

 

Nunn, would come back out for the top of the third and picked up where he left off in the second inning as he would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. Jackson Walker, now in for Jenkins, would get the bottom of the third started with a 1-out double. Cooper Helmuth, now in for Lowit, would reach on a two base error to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. T. Grubbs, would bring in Morrison with an RBI sac fly to make it 13-0.

McQueen, in his first plate appearance, would reach on a single that would score Helmuth to make it 14-0. McQueen, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would keep the third going by drawing a walk. Tanner Bail, pitch hitting for Kirchoff, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 2-out. The Knights, would be able to get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were ahead, 14-0.

 

T. Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the fourth. After a strikeout for the first out, the Knights, were able to draw a walk for their first base runner of the game. Walker, would make a nice throw to 2nd to get the runner trying to swipe the bag for the second out. T. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with his second strikeout as the Dragons still led, 14-0.

Dunlap, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single for his second hit of the day.  Dunlap, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. MT Crenshaw, who came on for Allen in the second inning, would reach with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Walker, would drive in Dunlap with an RBI double to walk it off as the Dragons pick up the 15-0 win in four innings.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 2-2 with 2 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

MT Crenshaw: 1-2 with 1 double

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

Jackson Walker: 2-2 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI

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

Truitt Grubbs: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K on 12 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 15 pitches

Jackson Nunn: 1 walk and 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 K on 16 pitches

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

Caden Kirchoff: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Andrew McQueen: 1-1 with 1 single and 2 runs scored

Cal Morrison: 2 runs scored

Cooper Helmuth: 1 run scored

 

With the win, the 2026 class, consisting of Robert Turner, AJ Rice, Christian Starks, Kam Jenkins, and Caden Kirchoff, became the winningest class in PHS Baseball history with 110 wins. Those five Seniors and the rest of the Dragons, will look to add to that road next week as they begin a three game series against the Dawson Tigers on Tuesday, March 31st at Dunn Field. First pitch is set for 6 pm.

Dragons sweep doubleheader against Johnson

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Gainesville, Ga — On Tuesday, March 24th, the Pickens Dragons, were on the road as they took on the Johnson Knights in 6-AAA action. It was a beautiful day to play two as the Dragons and Knights played games one and two of their three game series. The Dragons, took care of business in those two games as they took game one, 18-0, and game two, 17-0.

 

Game one:

Robert Turner, would lead off the top of the first by reaching on an error. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Jennings Allen, would follow that with a double to bring in Turner. Allen, would score on a two-base error to make it 2-0. Kam Jenkins, would reach with a triple. Dawson Lowit, would drive in Jenkins with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Lowit, would make it to 2nd on the play.

AJ Rice, would bring in Lowit with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Rice, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After Christian Starks drew a walk, Rice and Starks would move up a base after another wild pitch. Drew Dunlap, would drive in both Rice and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 6-0. Dunlap, would advance to 2nd on the play. A wild pitch, would move Dunlap up to 3rd.

Everett Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Dunlap, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 7-0. Grubbs, would also advance to 2nd on the same wild pitch. After a pop out, Grubbs, would move up to 3rd on a wild pitch. Turner, would bring in Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 8-0 heading to the bottom of the first.

 

MT Crenshaw, would take the mound for the Dragons in game one and he would toss a scoreless bottom of the first by picking up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Knights, 8-0.

 

Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a single. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Lowit, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 9-0. Lowit, would advance to 2nd and 3rd on back to back wild pitches. Rice, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Starks, would bring in Lowit with an RBI ground out to make it 10-0.

After a pop out, Grubbs, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 11-0. Matthew Davis, would bring in Grubbs with an RBI double to make it 12-0. Davis, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Turner, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 13-0. Turner, would move up to 2nd on a passed ball. Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

A wild pitch, would move Turner and Allen up a base. Jenkins, would draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Turner, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Allen and Kirchoff, would also move up on the wild pitch. A 2-RBI double by Lowit, would bring both Allen and Kirchoff to make it 16-0 heading to the bottom of the second. Crenshaw, was back on the mound for the bottom of the second.

Crenshaw, would get out of the bottom of the second with 9 pitches as he picked up his 3rd and 4th strikeout, as well as a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons leading the Knights, 16-0.

 

Chase Hulsey, would pitch hit for Rice and would lead off the top of the third with a single. Starks, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Dunlap, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Grubbs, would bring in Hulsey with an RBI single to make it 17-0. Brock Teal, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 18-0 heading to the bottom of the third.

Tanner Bail, would come in to pitch the bottom of the third for the Dragons. Bail, would seal the win for the Dragons as he struck out the side as Pickens took game one, 18-0.

 

Stats for the Dragons in game one:

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

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

Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 1 triple, 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored

AJ Rice: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Chase Hulsey: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored

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

Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Everett Grubbs: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Brock Teal: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 RBI

MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 21 pitches

Tanner Bail: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 17 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

 

Game two:

Jennings Allen: would look to get game two started as he would reach with a 1-out single. Christian Starks, would drive in Allen with an RBI double to make it 1-0. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Matthew Davis, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 3-0. The Knights, would get out of the first with a double play.

The Knights, would have their first base runner of the day as they would draw a walk to lead off the bottom of the first. Dragons starter Chase Hulsey, would work around that lead off walk as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the second with the Dragons leading the Knights, 3-0.

 

Jackson Walker, would get the top of the second started for the Dragons with a 1-out triple. Courtesy runner, Everett Grubbs, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Tanner Bail, would then draw a walk to reach 1st base. A wild pitch, would advance Bail up to 2nd. Turner, would reach with a 1-out single. Turner, would then take 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd.

After a strikeout, Starks, would hit a three run home run to make it 7-0. Kirchoff, now in to pitch hit for Jenkins, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Davis, would hit the Dragons second home run of the inning as he would send a 2-run shot over the right field wall to make it 9-0. Drew Dunlap, would then reach with a 2-out double. Brock Teal, would bring in Dunlap with an RBI double to make it 10-0.

Teal, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Walker, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Teal, would come in to score as Bail would reach on an error. Walker, would advance to 3rd on that same error. Bail, would move up to 2nd on a wild pitch. Walker, would come in to score after Turner would reach on an error. Both Bail and Turner would come in to score after a triple by Allen.

Starks, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 15-0. Kirchoff, would keep the inning alive by reaching on an error. Starks, would advance to 3rd on the play. The Knights, would get out of the second with a line out. In the bottom of the second, Hulsey, would pick up a ground out and a strikeout for the first two outs of the frame. The Knights, would pick up their first hit of the day with a 2-out triple.

Hulsey, would get out of the second with his fourth strikeout of the game. Heading to the third, the Dragons, led the Knights, 15-0.

 

After a ground out and a line out to start the top of the third, Walker, would keep the inning going for the Dragons with a 2-out single. Bail, would then reach on an error as courtesy runner MT Crenshaw, would advance to 3rd on the play. Bail, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Crenshaw, would come in to score on the same wild pitch to make it 16-0. Dawson Lowit, pitch hitting for Turner, would bring in Bail with a single to make it 17-0.

The Knights, would get out of the third with a pop out. Elijah Barton, would come in to pitch in the bottom of the third. After Barton picked up a pair of strikeouts, the Knights, would keep the game going after a batter would be hit by a pitch. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Barton, would pick up his third strikeout of the inning as the Dragons picked up the win in game two, 17-0.

 

Stats for the Dragons in game two:

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

Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 single

Jennings Allen: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, and 2 runs scored

Christian Starks: 3-3 with 1 home run, 1 triple, 1 double, 5 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 2 runs scored

Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 home run, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Brock Teal: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Jackson Walker: 3-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Tanner Bail: 1 walk and 3 runs scored

MT Crenshaw: 1 run scored

Everett Grubbs: 1 run scored

Chase Hulsey: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 27 pitches

Elijah Barton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K on 14 pitches

 

The series finale, will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Thursday, March 26th as the Dragons will look to pick up their 20th win of the season. First pitch is set for 6 pm.

Dragons sweep series against Indians

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Dahlonega, Ga — On Friday, March 20th, the Pickens Dragons, made the trip up to Dahlonega for the third and final game of the series between the Lumpkin Indians. After taking the first two games of the series, the Dragons, were looking for the sweep. The Indians, were looking to build some momentum heading into a big series with North Hall. The Dragons, would pick up the win, 10-2.

 

In the top of the first, Robert Turner, would reach with a lead off single. An error, would allow Turner to make it all the way to 3rd. An RBI single by Jennings Allen, would bring in Turner to make it 1-0. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a line out, Allen, would come in to score after an RBI double by Dawson Lowit. Truitt Grubbs, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out.

Christian Starks, would bring in Lowit with an RBI ground out to make it 3-0 Dragons. The Indians, would get out of the first with a ground out. Dragons starter AJ Rice, was back on the mound for the first time since March 3rd. After picking up the first two outs via strikeout, P. Cambron, would keep the inning alive for the Indians by reaching on a two base error.

E. Buchanan, would bring in Cambron with a single to make it 3-1. Rice, would get out of the first with his third strikeout of the frame. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Indians, 3-1.

 

In the top of the second, Matthew Davis, would reach with a 1-out single. Turner, would follow by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a pop out, Kam Jenkins, would draw a four pitch walk to load the bases with 2-out. The Indians, would get out of the jam with a pop out. Rice, would toss a scoreless bottom of the second with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons were still ahead, 3-1.

 

Truitt Grubbs, would lead off the top of the third with his second hit of the day. Starks, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. After a strikeout, Everett Grubbs, would drive in his brother Truitt and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-1. Everett Grubbs, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would advance to 3rd after a fly out to right field.

The Indians, would get out of the third with a pop out. C. Lee, would lead off the bottom of the third with a double. After a strikeout, Lee, would be thrown out trying to steal 3rd. C. Horton, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Horton, would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Lumpkin, 5-1.

 

Allen, would lead off the fourth with his second hit. Allen, would move up to 2nd after a ground out. After a line out, T. Grubbs, would reach on an error as the Dragons had runners at the corners with 2-out. The Indians, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Cambron, would draw a lead off walk to start the bottom of the fourth. A wild pitch, would advance Cambron up to 2nd.

After a strikeout, S. Stancil, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice and the Dragons, would get out of the fourth with a double play. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Indians, 5-1.

 

Brock Teal, would lead off the top of the fifth with a single. Everett Grubbs, would follow that with his second hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. The Indians, would get out of the jam with a pair of pop outs and a ground out. In the bottom of the fifth, after Rice picked up a strikeout and a ground out, Lee, would draw a full count walk to keep the inning alive for the Indians.

Lee, would advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. M. Hester, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Rice, would end his outing with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Indians, 5-1.

 

Jenkins, would lead off the sixth with a single. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Truitt Grubbs, would then reach with a single to load the bases. After a pop out, Teal, would draw a walk that would score courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff to make it 6-1. Drew Dunlap, would bring in pitch runner Tanner Bail with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 7-1. The Indians, would get out of the sixth with a pop out.

Turner, would come on to pitch in the bottom of the sixth. Cambron, would lead off with a triple. Buchanan, would drive in Cambron with an RBI single to make it 7-2. Buchanan, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Turner, would settle down and would strikeout the side to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 7-2.

 

In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach with his third hit of the day with a 1-out single. Allen, would advance to 2nd on the play. Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI double to make it 8-2. Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would then move over to 3rd after a wild pitch. Tanner Bail, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI ground out to make it 9-2. Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning going with a 2-out double. His fourth hit of the game.

Starks, would drive in T. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 10-2. The Indians, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. Turner, would come back out for the bottom of the seventh looking to close it out. M. Brooks, would lead off the bottom of the seventh by reaching on an error. Brooks, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Hester, would reach with a 1-out single. The Dragons, would seal the win after a 5-3 double play to sweep the series and pick up the win in game three, 10-2.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 run scored and 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 32 pitches

Jennings Allen: 3-5 with 3 singles, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Tanner Bail: 1 run scored and 1 RBI

Truitt Grubbs: 4-5 with 3 singles, 1 double, and 2 runs scored

Christian Starks: 2-5 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Brock Teal: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Everett Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 2 RBI

Drew Dunlap: 1 single, 1 sacrifice fly RBI

Matthew Davis: 1-4 with 1 single

AJ Rice: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R/0 ER, 5 BB, 9 K on 85 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

 

6-AAA Region Standings

Pickens: 17-1 (8-1)

Dawson: 11-7 (8-1)

North Hall: 12-6 (6-3)

GAC: 8-6 (6-3)

Lumpkin: 8-9 (3-6)

Chestatee: 6-12 (2-7)

White County: 10-8 (2-7)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-14 (0-9)

 

The Pickens Dragons, will continue region play as they take on the Johnson-Gainesville Knights in a three game series starting on Tuesday, March 24th with game one in Gainesville. First pitch is set for 5 :55 pm.

Dragons move to 16-1 after series win against Lumpkin

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — After a back and forth battle in game one on Tuesday, March 17th, game two between the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin Indians shifted over to Dunn Field. After the Indians took an early lead, the Dragons, behind solid pitching and hot bats, would pick up the win, 9-1.

 

M. Hester, would lead off the top of the first by drawing a walk. Hester, would move up to 2nd after a ground out. P. Cambron, would reach on an error that would allow Hester to come in and score to make it 1-0. Cambron, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a strikeout, S. Stancil, would reach on a fielder’s choice to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.

Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would get out of the top of the first with his second strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the frame, the Indians led it, 1-0. In the bottom of the first, after a pair of fly outs, Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by beating out an infield single. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. The Indians, would get out of the first with a ground out to send it to the second, leading 1-0.

 

C. Tuggle, would lead off the top of the second by reaching on an error. After a strikeout, Tuggle, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would get out of the second with a pair of line outs. In the bottom of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would reach with a 1-out single. The Indians, would then turn a 6-3 double play to end the second and send it to the third with Lumpkin still leading, 1-0.

 

E. Grubbs, would have his first 1-2-3 inning of the game in the top of the third as he picked up a ground out, a strikeout, and a line out on 7 pitches. The Dragons, would look to get something going in the bottom of the third as Robert Turner, would reach with a 1-out single. A pick off attempt at 1st, would go all the way to the outfield allowing Turner to advance to 3rd.

Jennings Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI single to tie the game at 1. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Indians, would get out of the third with a line out. Heading to the fourth, the game was tied up at 1.

 

K. Lewis, would lead off the top of the fourth by getting hit with a pitch. The Dragons, would turn a double play of their own and E. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. AJ Rice, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out.

T. Grubbs, would then reach on an error, that would allow Lowit to come into score to make it 2-1 Dragons. Rice, would make it to 3rd and T. Grubbs, would make it to 2nd on the play. Christian Starks, would bring in both Rice and T. Grubbs with a 2-run single to make it 4-1. After a pick off at 1st for the first out, Drew Dunlap, would draw a walk. Matthew Davis, would drive in Dunlap with an RBI double to make it 5-1 Dragons.

The Indians, would get out of the fourth with a ground out and a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons were ahead, 5-1.

 

C. Lee, would lead off the top of the fifth with a single. Lee, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fifth with a fly out, a strikeout, and a successful pick off move to get the runner at 2nd. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a walk. Lowit, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Pitch hitter Brock Teal, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Kirchoff was forced out at 3rd.

T. Grubbs, would then also reach on a fielder’s choice as Teal would be forced out at 2nd. Starks, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 2-out. Pitch runner Tanner Bail, and T. Grubbs, would come in to score after Dunlap would reach on an error to make it 7-1 Dragons. The Indians, would get Dunlap at 2nd to end the inning after Dunlap tried to take an extra bag. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Lumpkin, 7-1.

 

E. Grubbs, who really found a groove after a long first inning, capped off an outstanding start with a scoreless top of the sixth as he picked up a pair of pop outs and a ground out. Davis, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a walk. Davis, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Turner, would follow that by drawing a four pitch walk as Davis would head to 3rd on another wild pitch.

Turner, would advance to 2nd on defensive indifference as Davis would be thrown out at home for the first out. Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI single to make it 8-1. After a fly out, Tanner Bail, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. A balk would then be called as Allen would move up to 3rd and Bail would move up to 2nd. Allen, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 9-1 heading to the seventh.

 

Chase Hulsey, would come to pitch the top of the seventh as he would look to close it out for the Dragons. Hulsey, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a 1-2-3 seventh as the Dragons would pick up the series win with a 9-1 victory in game two.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

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

Jennings Allen: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

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

Tanner Bail: 1 walk and 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single and 2 runs scored

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

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Everett Grubbs: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K on 67 pitches

Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 13 pitches

 

The series finale will shift back over to Dahlonega on Friday, March 20th as the Dragons look for the series sweep. The Indians, will look to gain some momentum heading into a series with North Hall next week. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.

Dragons win high scoring game one against Lumpkin

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Dahlonega, Ga — After an emotional series win against the North Hall Trojans on Friday, March 13th, the Pickens Dragons, took to the road on St. Patrick’s Day to begin a three game series with the Lumpkin Indians. The Dragons, came into the game at 14-1 overall and 5-1 in region play. The Indians, came into the game at 8-6 overall, and 3-3 in region play. In a back and forth game throughout, a 2-run fifth and sixth inning by the Dragons, helped secure a 12-8 win.

 

Robert Turner, would lead off the top of the first with a double. Jennings Allen, would bring in Turner with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Allen, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Dawson Lowit, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 2-0. After a strikeout, Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk.

Christian Starks, would then reach with a single to load the bases. Lowit, would come in to score after Everett Grubbs would be hit by a pitch. Truitt Grubbs, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 4-0. The Indians, would get out of the first with a ground out. P. Cambron, would lead off the bottom of the first with a single. C. Horton, would follow that up with a single of his own.

M. Hester, would draw a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would then pick up back to back strikeouts. A 2-RBI single from K. Lewis, would score both Cambron and Horton to make it 4-2. Nunn and the Dragons, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Indians, 4-2.

 

It would be deja vu all over again in the top of the second as Turner, would lead off with his second double of the game. Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI double to make it 5-2. After a strikeout, Allen, would be picked off at 2nd for the second out. Lowit, would keep the inning alive after being hit by a pitch. AJ Rice, would then reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The Indians, would get out of the second with a strikeout.

T. Sullens, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Courtesy runner E. Truitt, would be picked off at 1st for the first out.Nunn, would then pick up a pop out and a ground out to get out of the second. Heading to the third, Pickens led Lumpkin, 5-2.

 

Horton, who came on to pitch in the top of the second, would work a scoreless top of the third as he got the Dragons in order. In the bottom of the inning, Hester, would reach with a 1-out walk. Hester, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. C. Boyce, would reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Boyce, would get caught trying to steal 2nd. Hester, would come in to score on the play to make it 5-3.

L. Hamrick, would keep the inning going with a walk. K. Lewis, would then get hit by a pitch. S. Stancil, would reach on a two base error that would score Hamrick to make it 5-4. MT Crenshaw, would come to relieve Nunn, and he would force a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 5-4.

 

Turner, would lead off the fourth by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A ground out by Allen, would move Turner over to 3rd. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with an RBI double to make it 6-4. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd after an error. Lowit, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 7-4.

Rice, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Truitt Grubbs, would bring in Lowit with an RBI single to make it 8-4 Dragons. Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice would be forced out at 2nd. A wild pitch, would move both T. Grubbs and Starks up a base. The Indians, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. C. Lee, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the fourth.

Lee, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Cambron, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A single by Horton, would load the bases with nobody out. A 3-RBI double by Hester, would clear the bases to cut the lead to 8-7. Hester, would come into score to tie the game as E. Buchanan, would reach on an error. Lewis, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Buchanan would be forced out at 2nd.

Crenshaw, would get out of the fourth with the game still tied as they would head to the fifth with the Dragons nad the Indians deadlocked at 8.

 

Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the fifth with a double. Turner, would drive in Davis with an RBI double to make it 9-8 Dragons. Turner, would move over to 3rd after a ground out. Turner, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 10-8. Jenkins, would reach with his second hit of the game after a 1-out single. The Indians, would get out of the fifth after turning a double play.

Tanner Bail, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth. Sullens, would reach with a lead off single. His courtesy runner, would be picked off at 1st for the first out. Bail, would then force a ground out and a line out to get out of the fifth. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Lumpkin, 10-8.

 

Brock Teal, would come in to pitch hit for Rice in the top of the sixth. Teal, would lead off with a single. Rice, would then come in to run for Teal. After a strikeout, Starks, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Drew Dunlap, would pitch hit for Everett Grubbs and he would draw a walk to load the bases. After a pop out, Turner, would drive in both Rice and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 12-8.

The Indians, would get out of the sixth with a ground out. Bail, would stay in for the bottom of the sixth. Horton, would reach by drawing a lead off walk. Bail, would then get Hester to pop out for the first out. Horton, would advance to 2nd after a ground out. Bail, would get out of the sixth with another ground out to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 12-8.

 

In the top of the seventh, Lowit, would reach on an error with 1-out. The Indians, would get out of the seventh after turning their second double play of the game. Jenkins, would come in for the bottom of the seventh as he looked to seal the win for the Dragons. Lewis, would lead off the bottom of the seventh by getting hit by a pitch. Lewis, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch.

Jenkins, would then pick up back to back strikeouts. C. Lee, would keep the game alive for the Indians by drawing a 2-out walk. Jenkins, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the inning as the Pickens Dragons took game one, 12-8.

 

Stats for the Dragons: 

Robert Turner: 4-4 with 3 doubles, 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 4 runs scored

Jennings Allen: 2-5 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-5 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 1 HBP, 1 BB, 3 K on 25 pitches

Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored

AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Brock Teal: 1-1 with 1 single

Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Everett Grubbs: HBP, and 1 RBI

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk

Matthew Davis: 1-4 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

 

The series will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Tursday, March 19th as the Dragons will look to win their third straight series in region play. The Indians, will look to tie the series ahead of game three back in Dahlonega on Friday. First pitch for game two is set for 6 pm.

Dragons win series against White County

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took to the road on Thursday, March 5th for game two against the White County Warriors. After picking up an 11-1 win in game one on Tuesday, the Dragons, were looking to win the best of three series. The Warriors, were looking to tie the series heading into game three on Friday. A 4 run third and a 5 run fourth to go along with a great outing by Jackson Nunn, helped the Dragons earn a 10-3 win.

 

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first on a line out and a pair of pop outs. The Warriors, would start the bottom of the frame off in a big way as C. Garrett, would hit a lead off home run to go up 1-0. Nunn, would do a good job of settling down as he would pick up a fly out, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the second inning with the Warriors leading it, 1-0.

 

Boogie Lowitt, would lead off the top of the second with a double. After a pop out and a line out, Matthew Davis, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. The Warriors, would get out of the second after Davis would be caught in a rundown. W. Powell, would look to get something going for the Warriors in the bottom of the second with a 1-out single. Nunn, would get out of the second with a strikeout and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Warriors, were still ahead, 1-0.

 

The Grubbs brothers, would get the Dragons on the board in the top of the third as Everett Grubbs, would draw a lead off walk. He would then move up to 2nd after a balk was called. Truitt Grubbs, would drive in Everett with an RBI double to tie the game at 1. Truitt, would come around to score on an error to make it 2-1 Dragons. AJ Rice, would make it to 2nd on that error.

Kam Jenkins, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice would be forced out at 3rd. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would steal 2nd, then 3rd, then score on an error to make it 3-1. Lowitt, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Jennings Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. A wild pitch, would move the runners up a base.

Lowitt, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 4-1 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Nunn, got some help from his defense as Robert Turner would make a diving catch in center for the second out. Nunn, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were on top, 4-1.

 

Everett Grubbs, would reach base for a second time with a 1-out double. After Truitt Grubbs drew a full count walk, he and Everett would pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Turner, would drive in Everett with an RBI single to make it 5-1. Turner, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw a walk to load the bases.

Jenkins, would bring in Truitt with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 6-1. Turner and Rice, would pull off the second double steal of the inning to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. Lowitt, would be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Turner, would come in to score on a wild pitch as Rice and pitch runner Tanner Bail, would also advance on the play. Allen, would drive in both Rice and Bail with a 2-RBI triple to make it 9-1 Dragons.

The Warriors, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. N. Thomas, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double. Thomas, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. J. Padgett, would bring in Thomas with an RBI ground out to cut the lead to 9-2. Nunn, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led, 9-2.

 

Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Matthew Davis, would lead off the fifth by drawing a walk. Dunlap, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Dunlap, would try to score on a single to center by Everett Grubbs, but a good throw to the plate beat Dunlap for the first out. Everett, would move up to 2nd on the play. Truitt Grubbs, would draw his second walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.

The Grubbs brother, would pull off the double steal yet again to put runners and 2nd and 3rd. After a pop out, Rice, would draw another walk to load the bases. The Warriors, would be able to get out of the jam with a fly out. Nunn, would toss a scoreless bottom of the fifth with a ground out, a strikeout, and a line out. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons were ahead, 9-2.

 

Allen, would extend the lead in the top of the sixth with a solo home run to right to make it 10-2. The Warriors, would get out of the sixth with a pair of pop outs. MT Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the sixth. Garrett, would lead off with a double to right center. A. Freeman, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Garrett, would come in to score on an RBI double by Thomas. Freeman, would be thrown out at 3rd for the first out. Crenshaw, would pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 10-3.

 

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh on a pair of pop outs and a fly out. Elijah Barton, would come for the bottom of the seventh to try and close it out for the Dragons. Barton, would strike out the side to seal the 10-3 win and the series for the Dragons.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1-5 with 1 single, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

AJ Rice: 2 walks, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1 RBI

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

Dawson Lowitt: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 HBP, and 1 run scored

Tanner Bail: 1 run scored

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

Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk and 1 steal

Everett Grubbs: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 2 steals, and 2 runs scored

Truitt Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Jackson Nunn: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 59 pitches

MT Crenshaw: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 HBP, 2 K on 17 pitches

Elijah Barton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 17 pitches

 

The third and final game of the series will shift back to Jasper and Dunn Field on Friday, March 6th. The Dragons, will look to go for the series sweep. First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm.

 

 

Dragons finish non-region at 9-0

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Blue Ridge, Ga — It was a beautiful afternoon for baseball as the Pickens Dragons, closed out the month of February with a trip up to Blue Ridge to take on the Fannin Rebels in non-region action. The Dragons, came into the game with an 8-0 record. The Rebels, came into the game with a 2-5 record with wins over Rabun County and Gilmer. The Dragons, powered by an 8-run first inning, picked up a 14-4 win in five innings.

 

Robert Turner, would lead off the game by reaching on a three base error. Turner, would come in to score after a ground out by AJ Rice to make it 1-0 Dragons. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 2nd and 3rd on back to back wild pitches. Dawson Lowitt, would draw a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Jennings Allen, would draw a full count walk to load the bases.

Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. Lowitt and Allen, would also advance on the play. After Christian Starks drew a walk to load the bases, Matthew Davis, would bring in Lowitt on a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0. A single by Drew Dunlap, would once again load the bases. Truitt Grubbs, would bring in Allen after drawing a walk. Turner, up for the second time in the inning, would hit a grand slam to make it 8-0 Dragons.

Rice, would get hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Jenkins, would then draw his second walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Rebels, would get out of the first with a pop out. Everett Grubbs, in his only inning of work, would get the Rebels in order with a strikeout, a line out, and a ground out. Heading to the second inning, the Dragons were ahead, 8-0.

 

In the top of the second, Starks, would reach for the second time on a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as the Rebels picked up a line out and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Jackson Nunn, on in relief of Everett Grubbs, would work around a 2-out single by I. Stephens as he picked up two strikeouts and a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led it, 8-0.

 

Truitt Grubbs, would draw his second walk of the game to lead off the top of the third. Turner, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a strikeout, Jenkins, would drive in Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 9-0. Turner, would reach 3rd and Jenkins, would reach 2nd on the play. Lowitt, would bring in Turner on the sacrifice fly RBI to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third.

R. Holloway, would reach with a 1-out single. R. Davis, would follow that with a double. C. Bailey, would drive in Holloway with an RBI single to make it 10-1. E. Queen, would bring in pitch runner B. Walker with an RBI single to make it 10-2. Bailey, would make it to 3rd on the play. D. Barfield, would bring in Bailey with an RBI ground out. N. O’Neal, would then reach with a single as Queen would head to 3rd.

O’Neal, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Queen, would come in to score on an error to make it 10-4. MT Crenshaw, would come in to get the final out of the third. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led it, 10-4.

 

Starks, would lead off the top of the fourth with his second hit of the game. Starks, would then take 2nd after a wild pitch. After a pop out, Starks, would take 3rd on another wild pitch. Dunlap, after drawing a walk, would steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Truitt Grubbs, would reach on a two base error as Starks would come in to score to make it 11-4. Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.

A double by Turner, would drive in both Dunlap and Grubbs to make it 13-4. Turner, would make it to 3rd on the play. Brock Teal, who came on as a replacement in the bottom of the second inning, would bring in Turner on a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 14-4. A 2-out single by Tanner Bail, would keep things going for the Dragons. The Rebels, would get out of the fourth with a line out.

Crenshaw, coming back out for the bottom of the fourth, would pick up a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons were ahead, 14-4.

 

Allen, would lead off the top of the fifth with a single. After a strikeout, Davis, would reach with his first hit of the game as Allen would make it to 3rd on the play. Davis, would then take 2nd after a wild pitch to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. The Rebels, would get out of the fifth with back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning. Jenkins, who came out in the third, would take the mound for the bottom of the fifth.

Bailey, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Bailey, would advance to 2nd after a ground out. Barfield, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jenkins, would get out of the fifth after an infield fly out and a strikeout as the Dragons would come away with a 14-4 win in five innings.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 3-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 home run, 5 RBI, and 4 runs scored

Brock Teal: 1 RBI

Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 walks, and 1 RBI and 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 23 pitches

Dawson Lowitt: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Christian Starks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored

Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 RBI

Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored

Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored

Tanner Bail: 1-1 with 1 single

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

Everett Grubbs: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 8 pitches

Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 12 pitches

MT Crenshaw: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 9 pitches

 

The Dragons, will begin 6-AAA play on Tuesday, March 3rd as they welcome the White County Warriors to Dunn Field for game one of a three game series. First pitch is set for 6 pm.

Dragons move to 8-0 after shutting out Ringgold

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — It was a cool, rainy day at the ball field as the Pickens Dragons took on the Ringgold Tigers on Wednesday, February 25th. The Dragons, came into the game with a 7-0 record. The Tigers, came into the game with a 3-4 record with wins over Dalton, Heritage, and Northwest Whitfield. The Dragons, behind starter AJ Rice, and an offense that broke things open in fifth, were able to pick up the win, 9-0.

 

Rice, got off to a fast start on the mound as he would strikeout the side on 14 pitches in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, would look to get a 2-out rally going as Kam Jenkins and Dawson Lowitt, would reach with back to back singles. The Tigers, were able to get out of the potential jam with a strikeout to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.

 

Rice, would make quick work in the top of the second as he would again strikeout the side. This time, Rice would only need 11 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the second with a hustle double. Jennings Allen, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Allen, would make it to 2nd on the throw home.

Everett Grubbs, would do a job and move Allen over to 3rd with a ground out. Truitt Grubbs, would bring in Allen with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0 Dragons heading to the third.

 

After Rice picked up his 7th strikeout to start the third inning, the Tigers, would have their first base runner of the evening as M. Cummings would draw a walk. Rice, would come back with his 8th strikeout for the second out. G. Haddock, would keep the inning going for the Tigers by drawing a 2-out walk. Rice, would settle in and pick up his 9th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the third.

In the bottom of the third, Jenkins, would reach on a dropped 3rd strike. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Lowitt, would move Kirchoff over to 3rd after a fly out to right. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Ringgold, 2-0.

 

In the top of the fourth, Rice, would induce back to back ground outs for the first two outs of the frame. The Tigers, would look to get something going as R. Blankenship, would draw a 2-out walk. Rice, would end the fourth with his 10th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. Allen, would reach on a 1-out single for his 2nd hit of the day. Allen, would score on an RBI double by Everett Grubbs to make it 3-0 Dragons.

The Tigers, would get out of the fourth after a pop out to right, and a ground out to 2nd as Grubbs would be left stranded. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Tigers, 3-0.

 

Rice, would pick up his 11th and 12th strikeout and a ground out in the top of the fifth as he would close out his night on the mound on a high note. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A single by Lowitt, would load the bases with nobody out. Drew Dunlap, on to pitch hit for Matthew Davis, would bring in Rice after drawing a walk.

Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch. Pitch runner Tanner Bail and Dunlap, would also advance on the play. Starks, would load the bases again by drawing a walk. Allen, would drive in both Bail and Dunlap with a 2-RBI double. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd even though it appeared he got in under the tag. After a pop out for the second out, Truitt Grubbs, would draw a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

The Tigers, would get out of the fifth with a ground out as the Dragons would head to the sixth with a 7-0 lead over the Tigers.

 

MT Crenshaw, would come in to pitch in the top of the sixth for the Dragons. H. Fries, would pick up the Tigers first hit of the game with a 1-out single. Crenshaw, would get out of the sixth with a pop out and a line out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, who led off the bottom of the fifth, would come up again to lead off the bottom of the sixth and reach with a double.

Jenkins, would trade places with Rice as he would drive him in with an RBI double to make it 8-0. Bail, who came on as a replacement for Lowitt in the top of the inning, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a pop out, Kirchoff and Bail, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Starks, would draw his second walk of the game to load the bases with 1-out.

Allen, would bring in his 4th RBI of the game as he would reach on a fielder’s choice. Kirchoff, would come in to score and Starks would be forced out at 2nd on the play. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Ringgold, 9-0.

 

Crenshaw, came back out for the top of the seventh to try and close things out. Crenshaw, would do just that as he would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to preserve the shutout as the Dragons picked up the win, 9-0.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

AJ Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 runs scored and 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 12 K on 83 pitches

Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI

Dawson Lowitt: 2-3 with 2 singles

Tanner Bail: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, and 1 run scored

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

Everett Grubbs: 1-4 with 1 double and 1 RBI

Truitt Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 RBI

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches

 

The Dragons, will be on the road for their final non-region game before region play starts as they make the trip up to Blue Ridge to take on the Fannin Rebels on Saturday, February 28th. First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm.

Late inning runs push Dragons past North Atlanta

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field for a third straight day as they took on the Warriors of North Atlanta on Saturday, February 21st. The Dragons, came into the game at 6-0 and were looking to finish the week at 4-0. The Warriors, 2-4 having defeated Haralson County prior to facing the Dragons. In what was a tight game throughout, the Dragons scored 1 in the 5th and 4 in the 6th to pick up the win, 7-3.

 

Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would need just 7 pitches to get out of the top of the first as he picked up two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame, Robert Turner, would lead off by drawing a walk. AJ Rice, would drive in Turner with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a pop out, Dawson Lowitt, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Matthew Davis, would draw a full count walk to load the bases with 1-out. After a strikeout, Jennings Allen, would draw a 4 pitch walk to bring in Rice to make it 2-0 Dragons heading to the second.

 

L. England, would be hit by the first pitch of the second inning and he would take 1st. C. Jones, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Grubbs, to his credit, would lock in and strike out the next three batters to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, Pickens led North Atlanta, 2-0.

 

M. McCaffrey, would draw a walk to lead off the top of the third. After a strikeout, D. Rovak, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. B. Hill, would reach on an error to load the bases. Grubbs, would strikeout London for the second out. Jones, would draw a walk to bring in McCaffrey to make it 2-1 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning.

The Dragons, would again go down in order for the second straight inning after a pop out, a fly out, and a ground out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led North Atlanta, 2-1.

 

R. Edwards, would look to get something started for the Warriors after drawing a 1-out walk. Grubbs, would pick up his 7th strikeout, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Allen, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Drew Dunlap, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Warriors, would get out of the fourth with a pop out and a fly out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 2-1.

 

MT Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Grubbs in the top of the fifth. Rovak, would lead off the fifth by drawing a walk. B. Hill, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. England, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice nearly turned an incredible 5-3 double play. Jones, would then reach on a single to load the bases with 1-out.

Crenshaw, would then pick up a big strikeout for the second out. B. Ford, would draw a bases loaded walk to score Hill to tie the game at 2. Crenshaw, would get out of the fifth with a ground out. Kam Jenkins, would look to get a rally going in the bottom of the fifth as he would reach with a 1-out single. After a fly out, Davis, would reach on an error by the shortstop. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play.

Christian Starks, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. Davis, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Warriors, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 3-2.

 

Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Crenshaw in the top of the sixth. S. Kunz, would reach with a 1-out single. Rovak, would follow that with a single of his own as Kunz would advance to 3rd. Hulsey, would force a pair of pop outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. Dunlap, would start the bottom of the sixth by reaching after catchers interference was called.

Truitt Grubbs, would then reach on a bunt single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Turner, would move the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Rice, would drive in both Dunlap and Grubbs with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-2 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A single by Jenkins, would put runners at the corners with 2-out.

Lowitt, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 6-2. Pitch runner Cal Morrison, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. At the same time, courtesy runner Kirchoff, would steal home to make it 7-2. Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A second single by Starks, would load the bases with 1-out. The Warriors, would get out of the sixth with a double play as the Dragons led it, 7-2.

 

Turner, would come on for the top of the seventh to try and close things out for the Dragons. Jones, would lead off the seventh with a solo shot to right center to make it 7-3. Turner, would collect himself and pick up a pop out and a ground out. Edwards, would keep the game alive for the Warriors with a 2-out single. Turner, would end the game with a strikeout as the Dragons would come away with a 7-3 win.

 

Stats for the Dragons: 

Robert Turner: 1 walk, 1 sacrifice bunt, 1 run scored and 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K on 24 pitches

AJ Rice: 2-4 with 1 double, 1 single, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles

Dawson Lowitt: 1-3 with 1 HBP, 1 single, and 1 RBI

Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 HBP

Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 1 RBI

Jennings Allen: 2 walks and 1 RBI

Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 steal and 2 runs scored

Cal Morrison: 1 steal

Everett Grubbs: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K on 70 pitches

MT Crenshaw: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K on 29 pitches

Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER on 17 pitches

 

The Dragons, will be back at Dunn Field on Wednesday, February 25th as they host the Ringgold Tigers. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.

Dragons continue win streak against Bobcats

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Ellijay, Ga — The 515 rivalry shifted to the diamond on Monday, February 16th as the Pickens Dragons made the short ride up to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 3-0, while the Bobcats, were 1-2. In a game that saw nearly double digit hit batsman, it was a 6-run sixth inning that broke things open for the Dragons as they came away with a 15-3 win in six.

 

Robert Turner, who has been a hitting machine to start the season, continued his early tear with a lead off single. Turner, would then show off the wheels as he would steal 2nd. Turner, would then advance to 3rd after a balk was called. AJ Rice, would bring in Turner after reaching on an error. After a ground out, Boogie Lowitt, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would advance to 3rd after a pop out by Matthew Davis.

Christian Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single that would score Rice to make it 2-0. Jennings Allen, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Bobcats, would get out of the top of the first with a ground out. Blake Grizzle, would lead off the bottom of the frame with a double. Grizzle, would come around to score after Cooper Cochran reached on an error to cut the lead to 2-1.

Peyton Chancey, would give the Bobcats 3-2 lead after a 2-run home run. Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would do a good job of settling down after giving up the home run as he picked up two ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second inning, the Bobcats, led the Dragons, 3-2.

 

In the top of the second, Turner, would reach for the second time with a 1-out single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rice, would follow with a single of his own to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with an RBI ground out to tie the game at 3. Jayden Grizzle, would lead off the bottom half of the 2nd with a double.

J. Grizzle, would be forced out at 3rd as Landen McClure reached on a fielder’s choice. After a strikeout, Blake Grizzle, would be hit by a pitch to keep the inning going. Jenkins, would throw out McClure trying to steal 3rd to send us to the third with the score still tied at 3.

 

Davis, would draw a walk to lead off the top of the third. Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Starks, would advance to 2nd after an error. Allen, would reach after drawing a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Brock Teal, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 1-out.

Drew Dunlap, would also be hit by a pitch to bring in Starks to make it 4-3 Dragons. Turner, would add to the lead as he would drive in Allen and Teal with a 2-RBI double to make it 6-3. Rice, would draw a walk to once again load the bases. The Bobcats, would escape further possible damage with an inning ending double play. After a long at bat, Cochran, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk.

After back to back strikeouts, Zander Shute, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Grubbs and the Dragons, would get out of the third after a line out to center to send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 6-3.

 

Lowitt, would be hit by the first pitch in the top of the fourth. Davis, would follow by drawing his second walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Lowitt and Davis, would then advance after a wild pitch. Starks, would also draw a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Lowitt, would come in to score as the Bobcats would turn a double play. Davis, would advance to 3rd on the play.

Teal, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons as he would be hit by a pitch for the second time in as many innings. The Bobcats, would get out of the fourth with a ground out as the Dragons led it, 7-3. MT Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Everett Grubbs in the bottom of the fourth. Jayden Grizzle, would lead off the inning by drawing a walk. McClure, would follow by reaching on a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Jayden Grizzle, would then be thrown out trying to steal 3rd. After a strikeout, McClure, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Crenshaw, would get out of the fourth with his 2nd strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons, led the Bobats, 7-3.

 

In the top of the fifth, Rice, would reach by getting hit by a pitch. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Jenkins, would then follow with a 1-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Tanner Bail, who came on as a defensive replacement for Lowitt in the bottom of the fourth, would drive in both Rice and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with a 2-RBI double to make it 9-3 Dragons. Davis, would then draw his third walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Bail would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Bobcats, would get out of the fifth after a force out at 2nd. Crenshaw, on in his second inning of relief, would work around a 2-out single by Jase McCollum as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons still led the Bobcats, 9-3.

 

Teal, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk. Truitt Grubbs, pitch hitting for Dunlap, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Turner, would drive in both Teal and Grubbs with a 2-RBI triple to make it 11-3. Rice, would follow that with an RBI triple of his own to make it 12-3. Jenkins, would keep the line moving with an RBI single to make it 13-3.

Kirchoff, would come in to pitch hit for Bail, and would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Courtesy runner Zach Williams and Kirchoff, would advance after a wild pitch. Jackson Walker, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Williams would be forced out at home. Starks, would bring in Kirchoff on an RBI ground out to make it 14-3. Allen, would drive in Walker with an RBI double to make it 15-3 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning.

Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Crenshaw in the bottom half of the sixth. Hulsey, would work around a lead off double and a single as he picked up two ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 15-3 win for the Dragons.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 steals, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored

AJ Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, 3 caught stealing, and 3 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-5 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 RBI

Dawson Lowitt: 2 HBP, and 1 run scored

Tanner Bail: 1-1 with 1 double and 2 RBI

Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 2 runs scored

Matthew Davis: 3 walks

Jackson Walker: 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, and 1 walk

Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Brock Teal: 1 walk, 2 HBP, and 2 runs scored

Drew Dunlap: 1 HBP, and 1 RBI

Truitt Grubbs: 1-1 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Zach Williams: 1 run scored

Everett Grubbs: 3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 3 K on 56 pitches

MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 40 pitches

Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 17 pitches

 

The Dragons, will be back at Dunn Field on Thursday, February 19th as they take on the Pepperell Dragons in a battle of top ten teams. Pepperell, is ranked inside the top ten for 1A D-1. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.

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