Dragons season ends in Elite 8
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 7, 2024
Harlem, Ga — The Pickens Dragons and the Harlem Bulldogs were finally able to get their best of three series started on Monday, May 6th. They were originally scheduled to begin their series on Saturday, May 4th, but mother nature had other ideas. The Dragons, came into the series with a 29-6 overall record and making their first ever appearance in the Elite 8. The Bulldogs, came in 32-1 overall, ranked the 16th best team in the nation, and defending AAA State Champions. The Bulldogs, would take both games of the doubleheader winning 2-1, and 12-0.
Game 1:
In the top of the first, the Dragons would go down in order on a ground out, a line out, and a pop out. Dragons starter Connor Shouse, was able to work around a lead of walk as he picked up two strikeouts. The runner on the base path would be called for interference. Heading to the second inning, both Pickens and Harlem were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons again would go down in order. This time on two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame, Shouse, would work around a walk and a stolen base as the Bulldogs would leave a runner stranded at 3rd. Going to the third, Pickens and Harlem were still tied at 0.
The Dragons, would get their first base runner of the game in the top of the third as Trey Payne would reach with a 2-out single. Shouse, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Bulldogs, would get out of the jam with a pop out to right to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Bulldogs, would have a runner reach on an error with 2-outs, but Shouse would be able to send it to the fourth still tied.
In the top of the fourth, Trace Ledbetter would lead off by drawing a walk. Kam Jenkins, would then move pitch runner Coleman Keener up to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. An infield single by Christian Starks would put runners at the corners with 1-out. Keener, would come in to score on a sacrifice fly RBI by Cade Sutton to make it 1-0 Dragons. The Bulldogs, would get out of the fourth with just the one run given up.
In the bottom of the inning, Shouse, had his first clean frame of the game picking up two more strikeouts and a ground out. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led Harlem, 1-0.
In the top half of the fifth, Kyle Grno, would lead off with a single. After a pop out, Shouse, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Bulldogs, would be able to get out of the potential jam as they induced an inning ending 5-3 double play. In the bottom of the fifth, Shouse, worked around a 1-out walk and stolen base as he picked up a ground out and a double play to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the sixth after two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the inning, Shouse, once again worked around a walk and a stolen base as he picked up two more K’s and a force out to send it to the seventh with Pickens leading Harlem, 1-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Dragons, would go down quietly after a pop out, a ground out, and a line out. The Bulldogs, would begin the bottom of the seventh by picking up their first hit of the game. They would follow it up with two straight infield singles to load the bases with nobody out. The tying run would score after an error. JP Nunn, would come in to try and keep the game tied at 1.
Nunn, would get the first two batters he faced to set up a bases loaded, 2-out situation. The Bulldogs, would be able to draw a walk and the winning run would come into score as the Bulldogs took game 1, 2-1.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Connor Shouse: 2-3 with 2 singles (6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K on 101 pitches)
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1 sacrifice bunt
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single
Cade Sutton: 1 RBI
Kyle Grno: 1-3 with 1 single
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single
Coleman Keener: 1 run scored
Game 2:
For game 2 of the doubleheader, the Dragons were the “home” team. Dragons starter James Tilley, would strike out the side in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, A.J. Rice, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rice, would move up to 3rd after a balk was called. The Bulldogs, would get out of the first with a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the second with the game still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Bulldogs, would plate 5 runs on 4 hits and 2 errors to take a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the second, Starks, would reach with a lead off single. Starks, would get picked off for the first out of the inning. After a strikeout, Tyler Payne, would look to keep the second alive for the Dragons with a 2-out single. The Bulldogs, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the third with Harlem leading Pickens, 5-0.
The Bulldogs, would add to their lead in the top of the third as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit by pitch to make it 8-0. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse, would look to try and get a rally started by drawing a 1-out walk. The Bulldogs, would get out of the third with back to back fly outs. Going to the fourth, Harlem led Pickens, 8-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs would plate 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks to make it 12-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons would go down in order with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Going to the fifth, Harlem led Pickens, 12-0.
In the top of the fifth, Dylan Walls, who came on in relief of Brodie Keener to pick up the final out in the fourth, worked a clean frame with two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Payne, would reach with a 2-out single. The Bulldogs, would force a pop out as they took game 2, 12-0, to win the series.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 2:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 steal
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with 1 single
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single
The Dragons, end the 2024 season with a 29-8 overall record, a second straight region championship, and their first ever appearance in the Elite 8. The class of 2024, will go down as one of the more successful classes in PHS history. While the Dragons will lose multiple seniors and a lot of production, they will return a good nucleus as they enter a new region in 2025.
Dragons reach Elite 8 for first time in school history
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 1, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was win or go home for the Pickens Dragons and the Hebron Christian Lions on Tuesday, April 30th as Dunn Field was the site for game three of the best of three series. The Dragons and Lions, split a doubleheader on Monday, April 29th with the Dragons winning the first game, and the Lions winning the second game. The winner of the deciding third game, would move on to face the Harlem Bulldogs. The Dragons, pulled away from the Lions early on and came away with a 10-0 win in 6 innings.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter James Tilley, worked around a 2-out walk as he picked up two ground outs, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom half of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Connor Shouse, got things started by leading off with a single. A.J. Rice, would then ground into a fielder’s choice as Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. Lions starter Dallas Rice, would then force an inning ending double play to send it to the second still tied at 0.
Tilley, had a long inning pitch count wise in the top of the second, but picked up two more strikeouts and a ground out to get out of it. After Rice picked up two quick outs in the bottom of the second, things would turn for both teams as Rice would be hit with a come backer near the wrist of his throwing arm. Sutton, who reached on an error by the 1st baseman on the play, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position.
Tyler Payne, would draw a 4-pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Kyle Grno, would draw the second straight walk to load the bases. Trey Payne, would then draw a full count walk to bring in Sutton to make it 1-0 Dragons. Shouse, would clear the bases with a 3-RBI double to make it 4-0 Dragons. Leyton Jones, would come on in relief of Rice and would get out of the inning with a ground out. Going to the third, the Dragons led it, 4-0.
Tilley, carried over that momentum from the bottom of the third to the top of the fourth as he fired a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout, and two ground outs. Kam Jenkins, would look to get something started for the Dragons in the bottom of the inning with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would drive in courtesy runner JP Nunn with an RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons. Starks, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position.
Sutton, would then bring in Starks with an RBI triple to make it 6-0 Dragons. Tag Clement, would come on in relief of Jones and he would force a pop out and a ground out to get out of the third. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Hebron Christian, 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, Tilley, would keep rolling along as he picked up two strikeouts, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Shouse, would pick up his third hit of the day and his second double. Rice, would drive him in with an RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Trace Ledbetter, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Ledbetter would advance to 2nd on the throw.
Jenkins, would move pitch runner Jennings Allen up to 3rd on a fly out as he would tag from 2nd. Starks, would drive in Allen with his 2nd RBI knock of the day to make it 9-0 Dragons. Thomas Stallworth, would come on in relief of Clement and he would force a ground out to get out of the inning. Going to the fifth, Pickens led Hebron Christian, 9-0.
In the top of the fifth, Stallworth, would pick up the first hit of the day for the Lions with a 1-out single. Tilley, would shake that off to strike out the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on two pop outs and a ground out. Going to the sixth, Pickens still led Hebron Christian, 9-0.
Brodie Keener, would come on in relief of Tilley in the top of the sixth. Keener, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a pop out, a line out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, pitch hitter Ezra Faber, would jump on the first pitch he saw and would bloop on down the right field line for a lead off single. Pitch hitter Dawson Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs.
Faber, would move up to 3rd after a fly out by Ledbetter. Pitch hitter Sam Hammontree, would drive in Faber with an RBI single to take game three 10-0 and send the Dragons to the Elite 8 for the first time in school history.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 3-3 with 1 single, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 steals, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1 walk
Kyle Grno: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Coleman Keener: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K on 70 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 12 pitches
The Dragons, will now get ready for the Elite 8 as they will take on the Harlem Bulldogs on the road in a best of three series starting on Saturday, May 4th in a doubleheader. Game 1 is set to start at 2 pm, and game 2 is set to begin at 4:30 pm. The “if” game is set for Monday, May 6th at 5 pm.
Dragons split doubleheader with Lions; Game 3 set for Tuesday
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 30, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was a great day for high school baseball as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Hebron Christian Lions to Dunn Field for a doubleheader in the 3A State Baseball Tournament Sweet 16. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 27-5 overall and the #1 seed out of region 7. The Lions, came into the game 18-13 overall and the #2 seed out of region 8. The Dragons, picked up a 1-0 win in game 1, while the Lions picked up a 4-3 win in 11 innings in game 2.
Game 1:
The Lions, started off the game by getting a lead off single from Devon Caldwell. Caldwell, would advance to 2nd as Dragons starter A.J. Rice just barely beat Sebastian Daigle to 1st on the sacrifice bunt attempt. Rice, would then pick up his 1st strikeout of the game for the 2nd out. Kam Jenkins, would throw out Caldwell trying to steal 3rd to send it to the bottom of the first.
Connor Shouse, would lead off the bottom of the first by reaching on an error. Lions starter Leyton Jones, would catch Shouse in a rundown and he would be tagged by the 1st baseman for the first out. Jones, would then force back to back ground outs to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Rice, tossed a 1-2-3 frame as he forced a ground out, and picked up his 2nd and 3rd strikeouts. In the bottom of the frame, Trace Ledbetter would reach with a 1-out single. Christian Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Ledbetter would be forced out at 2nd. Jones, would get out of the 2nd with a ground out. Going to the 3rd, the game was still deadlocked at 0.
Rice, worked around a 2-out single from Tyler Rogers in the top of the third as he forced a fly out to left, and picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout of the game. In the bottom of the inning, Kyle Grno led off with a single. Rice, would move Grno over to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt. Grno would then take 3rd on a passed ball. Shouse, would bring in Grno with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Trey Payne, kept the inning going for the Dragons as he reached on a 2-out single. Payne, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. Jones, would force a ground out to end the third and send it to the fourth with Pickens leading Hebron Christian, 1-0.
Rice, would work around a lead off single from Daigle in the top of the fourth as he picked up a fly out and two pop outs. In the bottom of the fourth, Ledbetter would draw a 1-out walk to reach base for a 2nd time. The Lions, would turn a double play to get out of the fourth and send it to the fifth with Pickens still leading Hebron Christian, 1-0.
Barrett Bruce, would begin the top of the fifth by leading off with a single. Jenkins, would throw out Bruce trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would then pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Sam Hammontree would lead off with a single. After a strikeout, the Lions would force their second straight inning ending double play to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading Hebron Christian, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, would continue to roll as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. Shouse, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Cade Sutton, would then reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Shouse, who looked like he got back in time, was called out at 2nd after a pick off move for the 2nd out. Jenkins, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.
Ledbetter, would draw a walk on a full count to load the bases with 2-out. UGA commit Dean Livingston, who came on in relief of Jones in the bottom of the sixth, would force a pop out to 1st for the 3rd out of the inning. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Hebron Christian, 1-0.
Rice, still out there to start the top of the seventh, got the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Dimitri Watts, would keep the Lions alive with a 2-out double. Rice, would pick up his 13th strikeout of the game to finish off the complete game shutout and seal the 1-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with a single
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single
Trace Ledbetter: 1-1 with a single and 2 walks
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with a single
Kyle Grno: 1-2 with a single and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1 sacrifice bunt (7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 13 K on 98 pitches)
Game 2:
For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons were designated the “away” team. Lions starter Daniel Barwick, got the Dragons in order on a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, went with Freshman Dylan Walls as the starter as the plan was to use the bullpen for the most part in game 2. Caldwell, much like he did in game 1, led off with a single.
Walls, did a good job of working around that lead off hit as he picked up a strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second by reaching 2nd on a 2-base error. Hammontree, would draw a 2-out walk to keep the inning going for the Dragons. Barwick, would force a ground out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Watts, would lead off with a home run to left field to make it 1-0 Lions. Walls, would come back with a strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the third with Hebron Christian leading, 1-0.
In the top of the third, Rice, led off with a single. The Lions, would then turn a double play. Barwick, would force a line out to 2nd for the 3rd out. Rogers, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk on a full count. Caldwell, would move Rogers over to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Walls, would then pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out. Cason Cannon, would come on in relief of Walls and force a pop out to send it to the fourth, Lions leading, 1-0.
Jenkins, would be hit with a pitch in the top of the fourth with 1-out. Ledbetter, would follow that with a single that would advance courtesy runner JP Nunn to 2nd. Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Nunn would be forced out at 3rd. Barwick, would force a fly out to center for the third out to get out of the jam. In the bottom of the fourth, Cannon, got the first two outs via line out and strikeout.
Bruce, would keep the inning going for the Lions with a 2-out double to left. Thomas Stallworth, would then be intentionally walked. Cannon, would pick up his 2nd K of the frame to send it to the fifth, Hebron Christian leading Pickens, 1-0.
Shouse, looked to start a rally in the top of the fifth as he reached with a 2-out single. Barwick, would force a fly out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Caldwell, would reach with a 1-out single. Daigle, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Cannon, would pick up a strikeout and force a fly out to center to send it to the sixth with Hebron Christian still leading Pickens, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Sutton, led off with a single. Jenkins, would advance Sutton to 2nd on a ground out. Ledbetter, would then reach with a 1-out single to put runners at the corners. Jennings Allen, would come in to pitch run for Ledbetter. Starks, would then drive a double down the left field line that would bring in Sutton. Allen, would be tagged out at 3rd trying to get back to the base.
Barwick, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. Going to the bottom of the inning, Pickens and Hebron Christian were tied at 1. Watts, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by being hit with a pitch. Cannon, would then force a pop out for the first out. Stallworth, would then draw a full count walk. Pitch runner Anthony Ponzio, would move up to 2nd.
JP Nunn would come on in relief of Cannon to try to get out of the sixth. Pitch hitter Aubrey Willbanks, would drive in Ponzio with an RBI single to make it 2-1 Lions. Rogers, would follow with a bloop single to right that would score Stallworth to make it 3-1 Lions. Jenkins, would then throw out Willbanks, who was trying to steal 3rd for the 2nd out. Nunn, would strike Caldwell out to send it to the seventh with Hebron Christian leading Pickens, 3-1.
Tyler Payne, would come on to pitch hit for Grno to start the seventh. He would reach with a lead off single. Grno, would then come in to pitch run for Payne. Rice, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Shouse, would reach with a single of his own to load the bases with nobody out. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Grno would be thrown out at home.
After a strikeout by Barwick for the 2nd out, Jenkins stepped up to the plate. Jenkins, would drive in Rice and Shouse with a 2-RBI single to tie the game at 3. Jenkins would head to 2nd on the throw to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-outs. Ledbetter, would then be intentionally walked to load the bases. Barwick, would force a fly out to right for the 3rd out. Going to the bottom of the seventh, the game was all tied up at 3.
Nunn, would sit the Lions down in order in the bottom of the seventh with a strikeout, a line out, and a ground out. Going to the eighth, Pickens and Hebron Christian were tied at 3.
In the top of the eighth, Grno would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Barwick, who was still in the game, forced a fly out and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Nunn, would get Watts to strikeout for the first out as Jenkins made a great play to get the out after dropping the 3rd strike. After Bruce was hit by a pitch, Jenkins would throw him out trying to steal 2nd.
Nunn, would strikeout Stallworth to send it to the ninth with the game tied at 3.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the ninth as Livingston would come on in relief for the 2nd consecutive game. Nunn, would strike out Destin Matthews to begin the bottom of the ninth. Rogers, would reach with a 1-out single. Caldwell, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rogers would be forced out at 2nd. Daigle, would then ground out to short for the 3rd out. Going to the tenth, the game was still tied at 3.
In the top of the tenth, Starks would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Starks, would advance to 2nd after a wild pitch with 2-out. Grno, would draw another walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Livingston, would force a pop out to 2nd for the 3rd out. Livingston, would lead off the bottom of the tenth with a single. Nunn, would then strike out Sam Mitchell for the first out.
Watts, would line a double that would bounce off the glove of Sutton at 3rd. Starks, the left fielder, got to the ball quickly and looked to have thrown out Livingston at 3rd. After appeals, the call stood and Livingston was safe putting runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Shouse, would come on in relief of Nunn to try and keep the game tied. Shouse, would get Bruce to strikeout for the 2nd out.
After the decision was made to intentionally walk Stallworth to load the bases, Shouse would strike out Matthews to get out of the jam and send the game to the eleventh still tied at 3.
In the top of the eleventh, Trey Payne would reach by getting hit with a pitch with 1-out. After Livingston forced a pop out to 2nd for the second out, Payne would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Jenkins, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Livingston, would force a pop out to short for the 3rd out to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the eleventh, Caldwell would reach with a 1-out single. Caldwell, would then move up after stealing 2nd. Daigle, would follow by drawing a walk. Caldwell, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Daigle, would then steal 2nd to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Livingston, would drive in Caldwell with an RBI single to give the Lions the 4-3 win in game 2.
With the two teams splitting the doubleheader, it sets up a deciding game 3 on Tuesday, April 30th with the winner moving on to the Elite 8 where the winner will take on the Harlem Bulldogs. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons sweep Tigers to advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 24, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The 3A State Baseball Tournament began on Tuesday, April 23rd as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Adairsville Tigers to Dunn Field for a double header as part of a best of three series. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 25-5 overall, the #1 seed out of 7-AAA, and ranked #2 in AAA. The Tigers, came into the game 15-9 overall, and the #4 seed out of 6-AAA. The Dragons, were able to pull out a sweep to advance to the Sweet 16.
Game 1:
Dragons starter Connor Shouse, got off to a good start in the top of the first as he forced a line out, and two ground outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. Shouse, would lead off the bottom of the first by lacing a double down the left field line. Trey Payne, would follow that by reaching on an error to put runners at 1st and 3rd. As Payne stole 2nd, the throw got through the infield which would allow both Shouse and Payne to score to make it 2-0 Dragons.
Later on in the inning, Trace Ledbetter, would reach with a 2-out single. Christian Starks, would follow with a single of his own. Kyle Grno, drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Starks would advance to 3rd and Grno would advance to 2nd on the play. Starks, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0 Dragons going to the second.
After Shouse the first two outs to start the top of the second, Ryan Farr, would pick up the first hit for the Tigers with a 2-out double. Shouse, would work around that as he forced a grounder to 1st for the third out. A.J. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Payne, would move Rice over to 3rd with a 1-out single.
Cade Sutton, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a double play. Going to the third, Pickens led Adairsville, 5-0.
In the top of the third, Harrison Cole, would reach with a 1-out walk. Cole, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Peyton Bowen, would bring in Cole with an RBI single to make it 5-1. Jarrett Scott, would be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-outs. The inning would come to an end as Braxton Ryan would be called out due to running inside the baseline.
Ledbetter, would lead off the bottom of the third by legging out a triple. Grno, would bring in Ledbetter with an RBI ground out to make it 6-1 Dragons. Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons as he would lace a 2-out triple to center. The Tigers, would force a pop out to get out of the third and send it to the fourth with Pickens leading Adairsville, 6-1.
In the top of the fourth, Jack Nelson, would lead off with a ground rule double. Farr, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Landon O’Neal, would then reach on a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Hayden Blalock, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Nelson would come in to score to make it 6-2. After Shouse picked up a strikeout, the Dragons turned a 5-2-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, after two quick outs, Sutton would draw a walk on a full count to reach. Kam Jenkins, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-outs. The Tigers, would force a line out to left to get out of the fourth. Going to the fifth, Pickens led Adairsville, 6-2.
In the top of the fifth, Cason Cannon came on in relief of Shouse. Scott, would reach with a 1-out single. Cannon, would pick up a fly out and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by lining one to center and coming in to score for an inside the park home run to make it 7-2. Rice, would reach with a bunt single with 2-out to keep the inning going.
Shouse, would then hit his 2nd double of the game as he drove in Rice to make it 8-2 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Cannon, on for his second inning of relief, picked up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout and line out. Blalock, would keep the inning alive for the Tigers as he reached with a 2-out single. Blalock, would be forced out at 2nd as Shouse just beat Blalock to the bag. Sutton, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by reaching on an error. Jenkins, would also reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with no one out.
Ledbetter, would then lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Sutton over to 3rd, and courtesy runner Ezra Faber over to 2nd. A 1-out single by Starks would drive in both Sutton and Faber to make it 10-2 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a double play. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Adairsville, 10-2.
JP Nunn came on in relief of Cannon in the top of the seventh. Nunn, would pick up a strikeout and a fly out for the first two outs. Scott, would then reach by drawing a 2-out walk. Nunn, would close it out with a strikeout as the Dragons took game one, 10-2.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 steal, and 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K, on 68 pitches
Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 hit by pitch
Trace Ledbetter: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 sacrifice bunt, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kyle Grno: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 triple, and 1 walk
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Cason Cannon: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 33 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K on 20 pitches
Game 2:
For the second game, the Dragons would be labeled as the “visitors”. Connor Shouse, would lead off by drawing a a full count walk Shouse, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Trey Payne, would follow by also drawing a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. In what looked like an attempted hit and run situation, Shouse would be thrown out at 3rd, while Payne would steal 2nd.
Cade Sutton, would then draw the third full count walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Kam Jenkins, would move the runners over after a ground out to 3rd. Trace Ledbetter, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 2-out. Ledbetter, would be forced out at 2nd as the Tigers got out of the inning with no damage done. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter James Tilley, would pick up a fly out and a strikeout for the first two outs.
Jarrett Scott, kept the inning going for the Tigers with a 2-out single. Tilley, would get out of the first with his 2nd strikeout. Going to the second, Pickens and Adairsville were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland, would be hit by a pitch with 1-out. Holland, would have to exit the game and Kyle Grno would come in to replace him. A.J. Rice, would lace a 1-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would then choose to intentionally walk Shouse to load the bases. Trey Payne, would draw his 2nd walk of the game as Grno would come in to score to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Jenkins, would drive in both Rice and Shouse with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0. Payne, would be thrown out at home trying to score from 1st. In the bottom of the second, Landon O’Neal, would draw a 2-out walk to reach. Hudson Parr, would follow by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Harrison Cole, would draw the third straight 2-out walk to load the bases.
PJ Weeks, would drive in courtesy runner Evan Hardin and Parr with a 2-RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. Weeks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Peyton Bowen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to load the bases. Tilley and the Dragons, would get out of the second after a ground out. Going to the third, Pickens led Adairsville, 3-2.
In the top of the third, Tyler Payne kept the inning going by getting hit by a pitch with 2-outs. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. Tigers starting pitcher Jack Nelson, would reach in the bottom of the third with a 1-out single. Ryan Farr, would then follow with a single as courtesy runner Dutch Hernandez would advance to 2nd. O’Neal, would ground out to 1st, moving the runners over to 2nd and 3rd.
Tilley, would get out of the jam by picking up a strikeout to send it to the fourth with Pickens leading Adairsville, 3-2.
Rice, would lead off the top of the fourth with his 2nd hit of the game. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice would be forced out. Payne, would then advance by stealing 2nd. Payne, would get thrown out trying to steal 3rd to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Cole, would lead off the bottom of the fourth by reaching on a single. An error would advance Cole to 2nd.
After a pop out and a ground out, Scott would drive in Cole with a single to tie the game at 3. Braxton Ryan, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Nelson, would help himself out as he drove in pitch runner McCayden Hufstetler with an RBI double to make it 4-3 Tigers. Brodie Keener, would come on in relief of Tilley and would get out of the fourth with one pitch. Going to the fifth, Adairsville led Pickens, 4-3.
In the top of the fifth, Jenkins, would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Ledbetter, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as courtesy runner JP Nunn was forced out at 2nd. Nelson, would force a ground out to get out of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Keener, working his first full inning of relief, forced a ground out and two pop outs to send it to the sixth with Adairsville leading Pickens, 4-3.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, would reach on an error with 2-outs. Shouse, would move Rice to 3rd with a double. Nelson and the Tigers, would get out of the jam with a fly out to center. Weeks, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a full count walk, Bowen, would move Weeks over to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt. After intentionally walking Scott, Keener, forced a pop out and a line out to send it to the seventh, Tigers leading 4-3.
In the top of the seventh, Jenkins, would make it to 2nd on an error with 1-out. Ledbetter, would advance courtesy runner Ezra Faber, over to 3rd after a ground out. Christian Starks, would sneak a single past the diving first baseman to bring in Faber to tie the game at 4. In the bottom of the seventh, Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Keener. Cannon, picked up a fly out and two strikeouts to send it to the eighth, all tied up at 4.
In the top of the eighth, Rice, would draw a walk with 1-out. Shouse, would then be intentionally walked to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would come home to score after an error on the play to make it 5-4 Dragons. Payne, would end up at 2nd on the play. Sutton, would be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.
The Tigers, would get out of the eighth with just the one run scored as they forced a fly out. In the bottom of the eighth, Cole, would lead off by drawing a walk. After a fly out by Weeks for the first out, Cole, would move into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Bowen, would then draw a walk to put the potential game winning run on. JP Nunn, would come on in relief of Cannon to try to close it out for the Dragons.
As Nunn, picked up a strikeout for the second out, Cole would steal 3rd to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs. Nunn, would pick up his 2nd strikeout to close it out for the Dragons as Pickens took game two, 5-4 in eight innings.
Stats for the Dragons in game 2:
Connor Shouse: 1-2 with 1 double, 3 walks, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 2 walks, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 hit by pitch
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1 hit by pitch
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single
Tyler Payne: 1 hit by pitch
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Brodie Keener: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB on 19 pitches
Cason Cannon: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches
JP Nunn: .2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 8 pitches
With the sweep of the best of three series, the Dragons move on to the Sweet 16 where they will host the Hebron Christian Lions. The Lions, are the #2 seed out of region 8-AAA. The Lions, had little trouble in their first round series sweeping Cedar Grove. The best of three series is set to begin with a double header on Monday at Dunn Field. The “If” game, will be on Tuesday. That game will also be at Dunn Field.
Dragons season ends in Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 2, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful, windy day on Monday, May 1st as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Gordon Lee Trojans at Dunn Field for the third game of their best of three series in the Sweet 16 of the GHSA 3A Baseball State Tournament. In the end, it would be the visitors getting the win as the Trojans came away with a 3-0 victory.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, had a clean start to the game with his 1st strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the first, Trey Payne would reach on a 2-out walk, but would be left stranded and they would head to the second with the score all knotted up at 0.
In the top of the second, after getting the 1st out on the first pitch of the inning, Rice, would give up back to back 1-out singles. Rice, worked out of that jam as he picked up his 2nd strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Dawson Holland, would lead off with a single. He would advance to 2nd on the same play after an error to give the Dragons their first runner in scoring position.
A sacrifice bunt by Kam Jenkins, advanced Holland over to 3rd with only 1-out. The Trojans, were able to get out of their first jam of the game as they got a pop up and a fly out to center to keep Holland from scoring and send it to the third, still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, the Trojans, would get a 1-out triple to put a runner in scoring position. That runner would come in to score after a close play at the plate as the ball got by Jenkins, his throw to Rice was nearly in time for the tag. After a ground out to 3rd for the second out, the Trojans were looking to add to their lead as they reached with an error and a single. Rice, got out of the jam with just the 1 run to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, Colby Brooks led off with a single. Connor Shouse, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Brooks would be thrown out at 2nd for the first out. Trace Ledbetter, would then draw a walk on four straight pitches to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A line drive by Trey Payne looked to be falling in left center field, but a diving catch was made for the second out. Shouse, had to scramble back to 2nd to avoid being doubled up.
The Trojans, got out of the threat with a ground out to send it to the fourth with Gordon Lee Leading Pickens, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, settled down after a 22-pitch third inning to get the Trojans in order with a fly out and 2 ground outs. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons, would also go down in order after a strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the fifth with the Trojans still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, needed 9 pitches for a 1-2-3 frame as he forced 2 pop ups and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, the Dragons, again couldn’t get anything going as they went down in order after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. Going to the sixth, the Trojans were still ahead, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, the Trojans, led off with a double. Rice, would get the first out of the inning after his 3rd strikeout. Gordon Lee, added to their lead as they would score 2 runs on three straight hits to make it 3-0. Rice, did a good job of limiting the damage to just 2 runs as he picked up his 4th strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the offensive woes continued for the Dragons as they went down in order with a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out to send it to the seventh with the Trojans now leading, 3-0.
In the top of the seventh, JP Nunn, came on in relief of Rice to try to keep it a 3 run game. Nunn, worked around a 2-out walk as he got three fly outs in a scoreless top half of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Holland, led off with a single as the Dragons had their first base runner since the third inning. After getting a fly out for the first out, the Trojans were able to turn a double play to secure the win, 3-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 2 singles
Kam Jenkins: 1 sacrifice bunt
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 93 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB on 12 pitches
A historic and record setting season is now in the books for the Pickens Dragons baseball team. The 2023 team set a record for most wins in a season (29), the first region championship, most strikeouts in a season. There were several individual records broken as well as Junior Connor Shouse broke the single season and career RBI record. Junior JP Nunn, broke the career saves record.
The Dragons, will return a bulk of their team in 2024 as Seniors Colby Brooks, Evan Giddens, Tee Knight, and Harlan Will will move on to the next chapter in their lives. Three of them, Giddens, Knight, and Will, have committed to play baseball in college up till this point.
With a bulk of their team coming back next season, and the JV and Junior High teams having very successful season in their own right, the Dragons could be set up to keep this run going for a bit. We will see what the future holds next season. Until then, congrats to the Pickens Dragons on a fantastic 2023 season.
Dragons and Trojans split Saturday Doubleheader
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 30, 2023
Jasper, Ga — What another great day for high school baseball it was on Saturday, April 29th as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Gordon Lee Trojans to Dunn Field for a doubleheader as part of a best of three series in the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament Sweet 16. The Trojans, used the long ball in Game one to get the win, 4-1. In Game two, the Dragons, were able to hold on and pick up a 5-4 victory to force a Game three.
Game 1:
In the top of the first, the Trojans, were looking to threaten early as Nate Dunfee reached on a lead off walk, and Blake Rodgers would reach on a 1-out walk. Dragons starter, Connor Shouse, got out of the early jam as he struck out the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Trey Payne reached on a 2-out error, and Tyler Payne reached on a 2-out single.
The Trojans, would get out of the potential threat from the Dragons with a strikeout to send it to the second with the ball game still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Trojans, got their lead off man on for the second straight inning as Holt Roberts would be hit with a pitch. Shouse, did a good job of collecting himself as he would then strikeout the side looking to send it to the bottom half of the second. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley, worked a full count walk to reach first with 1-out. Tilley, would advance to second after a ground out by Evan Giddens.
The Dragons, would take the lead after a 2-out RBI single from Colby Brooks drove in Tilley to make it 1-0 Pickens going to the third.
In the top of the third, after picking up a fly out to right and his 6th strikeout, Shouse, worked around a 2-out error to get a pop up to 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Trace Ledbetter, led off with a ground rule double. Ledbetter, would advance to 3rd after an error. The Trojans, were able to keep it a 1-0 game as Ledbetter would be thrown out at home after a grounder to the shortstop for the first out.
Gordon Lee, would then turn a double play to get out of the bottom of the third with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Trojans, would get back to back singles to start the frame. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, a 1-out walk would load the bases. Cason Cannon, would come in to try to get the Dragons out of a big jam. Cannon, did just that as he picked up a strikeout and a pop up to 3rd to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons would go down in order in with a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Going to the fifth, the Dragons still led the Trojans, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Trojans would take the lead as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits including a solo home run and a 2-run home run. Going to the bottom of the fifth, Gordon Lee led Pickens, 3-1. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons would go down in order with a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Going to the sixth, the Trojans were leading the Dragons, 3-1.
In the top of the sixth, Tee Knight, came on in relief of Cannon to try to keep it a 2 run game. Knight, did just that as he worked around a 2-out single to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons got back to back 1-out singles from Trey and Tyler Payne. The Trojans, once again avoided trouble as they got a double play to send it to the top of the seventh with Gordon Lee leading, 3-1.
In the top of the seventh, the Trojans, extended their lead as they scored 1 run on 2 hits and a hit by pitch to make it 4-1 going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for Tilley, reached on a 1-out single. Tilley, would then re-enter to run. Brooks, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk.
Shouse, who moved to shortstop in the fourth, would just miss a potential game tying 3-run home run as the Trojans took Game 1, 4-1.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a ground rule double
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
Tyler Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles
James Tilley: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a single
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Game 2:
For the Game 2, the Dragons were the “visitors”. In the top of the first, the Dragons went down in order with 2 ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter James Tilley, fielded a come backer, and picked up 2 strikeouts in a clean bottom of the first. Going to the top of the second, the game was tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Holland, reached after drawing a full count walk with 1-out. The Dragons, saw a lot of pitches in the top of the second, but the Trojans would leave Holland stranded. In the bottom of the second, Tilley, worked around a 1-out error to strikeout the side. Going to the third, the Dragons and Trojans were still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, Colby Brooks, got on by drawing a full count walk with 1-out. The Trojans, got out of the top half of the frame with a 5-4-3 double play. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, worked around another 1-out error as he induced back to back ground outs to send it to the fourth, still scoreless.
In the top of the fourth, the Dragons struck. Trace Ledbetter and Trey Payne began the top of the inning by reaching on back to back errors. Tyler Payne, then followed with a single to load the bases with nobody out. Ledbetter, would score after Dawson Holland reached on a fielder’s choice. Trey Payne, would come in after a single by Kam Jenkins to make it 2-0.
A.J. Rice, would then draw a walk to load the bases again, this time with 1-out. Evan Giddens, would drive in Holland with the RBI single to make it 3-0. Brooks, reached on the 3rd error of the inning as courtesy runner Tee Knight came in to score to make it 4-0. Rice, would come in to score after a sacrifice fly RBI by Connor Shouse to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, Tilley, after the long wait, gave up a lead off single and a 1-out double, but got a fly out to right and his 7th strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the Trojans, 5-0.
In the top of the fifth, Trey Payne reached with a 1-out single. Holland, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single, but the Trojans got out of it after a grounder to short. In the bottom of the fifth, Tilley, picked up his 8th strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the sixth, Dragons leading, 5-0.
In the top of the sixth, Giddens, reached on a single with 1-out. He would be throw out at 2nd for the 3rd out of the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Trojans got back into the game as they scored 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. Going to the seventh, the Dragons now led, 5-3.
In the top of the seventh, the Dragons went down in order after 2 ground outs and a line out to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, JP Nunn, who came on in relief of Tilley in the bottom of the sixth, was tasked with getting the final three outs of this game. The Trojans, got the inning started by reaching on a lead off walk, followed by a hit by pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
The Trojans, cut the lead down to one run after an RBI single made it 5-4 with nobody out. Nunn, picked up a grounder and threw it to 1st for the first out as runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd. Nunn, got another come backer as he was able to field it and throw it home to get the runner for the second out. With runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs, Nunn, got the strikeout for the final out as Pickens defeated Gordon Lee 5-4 in Game 2 to even up the series at one a piece.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 2:
Connor Shouse: 1 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1 walk, and 1 RBI
The split doubleheader means a third and final game of the series will be played at Dunn Field on Monday, May 1st. The winner, will advance to the Elite 8 and take on the winner of the Harlem/Thomasville series. First pitch for Game 3 is set for 5:30.
Rice tosses shutout; Dragons advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2023
Jasper Ga — It was win or go home on Tuesday, April 25th for both the Pickens Dragons and Hart County Bulldogs as they took the field for the 3rd and final game of their best of three series in the first round of the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament. The Bulldogs, won game 1, 4-3 in 9 innings, while the Dragons won game 2, 5-4 on Monday. The Dragons, got a complete game shutout from Freshman A.J. Rice as they won game 3, 8-0.
In the top of the first, Rice tossed a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, went down in order also with a fly out and 2 ground outs to send it to the second with the game tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Rice needed 12 pitches to get a pop out and 2 more ground outs in another clean inning. In the bottom half of the inning, designated hitter Tyler Payne, led off with a single. Dawson Holland, would move pitch runner Ezra Faber over to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. After Kam Jenkins reached on a walk, ’23 Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, came through with a 2-out RBI single to bring in Faber to make it 1-0 Dragons going to the third.
In the top of the third, the Bulldogs, picked up their first base runner and first hit of the game with a 1-out single. The Bulldogs, would then get another runner on after being hit with a pitch with 2-out. Rice, as he’s done all season it seems, kept his composure and was able to induce a ground out to 3rd to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, ’24 Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off by drawing a walk.
Trace Ledbetter, followed that up by reaching on a fielding error to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Trey Payne, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Shouse, would come in to score on a wild pitch. Ledbetter and Trey Payne would advance to 2nd and 3rd on the same pitch. Tyler Payne, would reach on a full count walk to load the bases again.
Holland, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Ledbetter would be thrown out at home after a grounder to 3rd for the first out. The Bulldogs, got out of the jam with only the 1 run given up as they induced an inning ending double play. Going to the fourth, the Dragons, now led the Bulldogs, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, found himself in a little bit of a jam again as he gave up a single, and then hit a batter with 1-out. His defense, which had been making plays behind him all game, got some more help from them as his Freshman battery mate Jenkins, threw out a runner trying to steal 3rd for the 2nd out. Rice, finished off the top of the fourth in strong fashion with his 2nd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, Giddens and Colby Brooks, both reached on back to back fielding errors with 1-out. Shouse, would then get hit with a pitch on an 0-2 count to load the bases. Giddens, would come in to score on a fielder’s choice by Ledbetter. Ledbetter, would catch the Bulldogs off guard and steal 2nd. Trey Payne, would then drive in Brooks and Ledbetter with a single to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, picked up his 3rd strikeout and 2 ground outs in a 9-pitch top half of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for James Tilley, sent the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a 2-out double. Tilley, would then re-enter to run for Hammontree. Giddens, drove in Tilley with an RBI single to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, after giving up a lead off single, Rice, picked up his 4th strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Lebetter, reached on a 1-out single. Davin Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Ledbetter. Abernathy, would then get to 2nd on a wild pitch. Trey Payne, would reach base with a single. Abernathy and Payne, would then advance on a wild pitch.
With Senior Harlan Will at the plate, he would drive in both Abernathy and Payne with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-0 Dragons going to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, ended his very impressive outing with a 1-2-3 frame as Shouse made three great plays at short for all three outs. The Dragons, get the win 8-0 in game 3 to take the series, 2-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1-2 with a single, 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single, and 1 walk
Harlan Will: 1-1 with a double and 2 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1 sacrifice bunt
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk and 1 runner thrown out
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a double
Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Colby Brooks: 1 run scored
Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 HBP, 4 K on 89 pitches
The Dragons, will now look towards Saturday, April 29th as they begin a best of three series with the Gordon Lee Trojans with a doubleheader. The Trojans, are representing region 6 as the #2 seed. They are 20-8 overall. The Trojans, swept Cedar Grove in the first round to get to this point. It should be an entertaining series between a pair of good teams.
Dragons split doubleheader with Hart County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 25, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day for playoff baseball on Monday, April 24th as they Pickens Dragons welcomed the Hart County Bulldogs to Dunn Field for a doubleheader in the first round of the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament. The Bulldogs, are the #4 seed out of region 8, and the Dragons are the #1 seed out of region 7. After the Bulldogs took game 1 in 9 innings, 4-3, the Dragons came back to take game 2, 5-4, to force a game 3 on Tuesday, April 25th.
Game 1:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter and ’24 Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, worked around a 2-out single as he picked up 2 strikeouts and a line out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse, led off with a double. Shouse, would advance to 3rd, but the Bulldogs got out of the early threat to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Shouse, needed 8 pitches for a 1-2-3 inning with two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the second, Kam Jenkins, reached on a 1-out walk. His courtesy runner, Tee Knight, would be left stranded and they’d go to the third, still scoreless.
In the top of the third, Shouse, continued the good start to his outing as he sat the Bulldogs down in order on two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, went down in order as well and the game would move to the fourth, with both teams still scoreless.
In the top of the fourth, Shouse, worked around a 2-out single as he struck out the side. That gave him 7 for the game. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, again would go down in order as we officially had a pitcher’s duel on our hands. Going to the fifth, the Dragons and Bulldogs were still tied at 0.
In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs would break the tie as they scored 3 runs on 1 hit, 4 walks, and 1 hit by pitch to take a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, got a run back as Jenkins led off with a single. A.J. Rice, then reached on a fielder’s choice. ’23 Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, moved them over on the sacrifice bunt. An RBI grounder from Colby Brooks brought in courtesy runner Tee Knight to make it 3-1 Bulldogs going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Cason Cannon, who came on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fifth, worked his first full inning of relief and kept the score where it was to send the Dragons bats back up. In the bottom of the sixth, Trey Payne got on with a 1-out double. He’d come around to score after an RBI single from Tyler Payne. Jenkins, drove in pitch runner Ezra Faber on a 2-out, RBI double to tie things up at 3 going to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, ’24 Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, came on in relief of Cannon. Nunn, kept the Bulldogs off the board in the top half of the inning to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order. They would head to extra innings with the score tied at 3.
In the top of the eighth, Nunn, in his 2nd inning of work, worked around a 1-out walk to keep the Bulldogs off the board. In the bottom of the eighth, Shouse, now at shortstop, sent a ball for a ride in center field, but it was just shy of the fence. The Bulldogs, would get out of the bottom of the eighth and we’d head to the ninth with it still tied up at 3.
In the top of the ninth, the Bulldogs, were able to plate a run on 2 hits to retake the lead, 4-3. In the bottom of the ninth, Dawson Holland would reach on a 1-out single. The Bulldogs however, were able to get a double play to end the game as Hart County took game 1, 4-3.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a double
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1-4 with a double and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with a single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with a single
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1 RBI
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Game 2:
The Dragons, were the “visitors” for game 2 and they looked to put up some early runs in the top of the first as Trey Payne and Tyler Payne got on with a pair of 2-out singles, and Dawson Holland reached with a full count walk. The Bulldogs, got out of the bases loaded threat to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs, did strike for early runs as they scored 4 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 error.
Going to the second inning the Bulldogs, held a 4-0 lead over the Dragons.
In the top of the second, the Dragons, would go down in order to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom half of the second, Dragpns starter James Tilley, bounced back after a tough first inning to get the Bulldogs in order with a grounder to 1st base, and 2 strikeouts to send it to the third, Bulldogs leading, 4-0.
In the top of the third, the Dragons struck. Connor Shouse, led off by drawing a full count walk after being down 0-2 in the count. Trace Ledbetter, followed that up with a single. After a double steal by both Shouse and Ledbetter, Trey Payne would bring them home with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Bulldogs. After Tyler Payne worked another full count walk, Holland, laid down a bunt to move Trey Payne to 3rd and pitch runner Sam Dart to 2nd with 1-out.
Freshman Kam Jenkins, once again came through with a big hit as he drove in Trey Payne and Dart with a 2-RBI single to tie the game up at 4 going to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, worked around a 1-out single to send it to the fourth with the game now tied at 4.
In the top of the fourth, Colby Brooks, reached with a 1-out single. Shouse and Ledbetter, got on by drawing back to back walks to load the bases. Trey Payne, would bring in Brooks with the sacrifice fly RBI to give the Dragons the lead 5-4, going to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Tilley, was able to work around a 2-out walk to get out of the inning. Going to the fifth, the Dragons now led it, 5-4.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pop up and 2 ground outs. In the bottom of the inning, Tilley, kept the Bulldogs from scoring as he picked up 2 big strikeouts to keep the runner at 3rd after he reached on an error and advanced to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt. Going to the sixth, the Dragons maintained their 5-4 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Brooks, reached on a 1-out walk. Shouse, would then get hit by a pitch on a 3-2 count and the Dragons had runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Bulldogs, somehow, were able to get out of it with no damage done to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, Tilley, sat the Bulldogs down in order with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh with the Dragons up, 5-4.
In the top of the seventh, Holland, would make it to 2nd after an error by the shortstop. Jenkins, followed up with a single. As the throw was going home, Jenkins took the opportunity to advance to 2nd to give the Dragons 2 runners in scoring position with 1-out. Once again, the Bulldogs found a way to get out of the jam and keep it at 5-4 going to the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tilley, nearly crossing the 100 pitch mark, finished the ball game off by striking out the side to keep Pickens alive as the Dragons took game 2, 5-4.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 2:
Connor Shouse: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with a single, and 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
With the two teams splitting the doubleheader, we now turn to the deciding game 3. The winner of game 3, will advance to the sweet 16 and face Gordon Lee on Saturday. First pitch for game 3 between Pickens and Hart County is set for 5 pm.