Dragons Honor Seniors, Take Series From Southeast Whitfield
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 21, 2018
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS varsity baseball team once again hosted the Southeast Whitfield Raiders at Dragons Field for the 3rd and final game of their series, & the final game of the region schedule. Prior to the game, the seniors on the 2018 PHS baseball team were honored for their contributions to PHS during their time.
In the top of the 1st, senior starter Isaiah Payne, had it working early. Payne needed just 10 pitches to get out of the top half of the 1st. Pickens, got a lead off single from senior Joseph Gossett, but Gossett would be left stranded at 3rd, & we would head to the 2nd, tied at 0. In the top of the 2nd, Payne continued his good early work by striking out two Raiders in the frame. In the bottom of the inning, A 1-out single from Colby James, a walk drawn by senior Lucas Headrick, and a single from Payne, would lead to a 2-out, 2-RBI base hit from Gossett as the Dragons took a 2-0 lead over Southeast Whitfield, heading to the 3rd.
Payne, now working with the lead, continued giving the Raiders trouble as he got out of the inning, using 16 pitches. In the bottom of the 3rd, a lead off walk drawn by senior Dylan Huffman, came back to bite Southeast Whitfield as Brady Moore drove Huffman in with a 1-out double. Moore would go on to steal 3rd, then come into score after a pitch got by the catcher. Pickens took a 4-0 lead, into the 4th. In the top of the 4th, the Raiders got their first hit of the game, but that would be all. In the bottom of the frame, Gossett, got a 2-out double, but would be caught trying to steal 3rd to end the inning. Going to the 5th, the Dragons held a 4-0 lead over Southeast Whitfield.
In the top of the 5th, Payne would throw one more pitch, then would be replaced with fellow senior, Clate McArthur. McArthur, would collect his 1st K of the day, & get out of the half inning on 11 pitches. In the bottom of the 5th, Huffman, got a 1-out base hit, Moore would be hit by a pitch, then James would get a 2-out RBI hit scoring Huffman to give the Dragons a 5-0 lead, going to the 6th. In the top of the 6th, Southeast Whitfield would plate 2 runs, cutting the Pickens lead to 5-2. The Dragons, got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning after Gossett hit a 1-out triple, & then came into score after Huffman drove him in after beating out a potential inning ending double play. The Dragons, held a 6-2 lead going to the 7th. McArthur was able to hold down the Raiders in the 7th, to preserve the Dragons win, 6-2.
Stats:
Isaiah Payne: 4IP, 2K, 0R, 0ER, 1H, 54 pitches & 1-2 with a single
Clate McArthur: 3IP, 3K, 2R, 2ER, 48 pitches
Joseph Gossett: 4-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Brady Moore: 1-2 with a double, a HBP, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Colby James: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1 run scored
Pickens, wins the series between Southeast Whitfield 2-1, & finishes the region schedule at 9-9. They are 14-14 overall with one more game to play in the regular season. There will be a makeup game today at PCMS as the Dragons will welcome the Wheeler Wildcats to Dragons Field for afternoon baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 2 pm.
Dragons Take Game 1 Over Lafayette, Doubleheader Scheduled For Friday
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 28, 2018
Yesterday afternoon & into evening, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team, hosted the Lafayette Ramblers, for the first game of what looks to be an important series in terms of region standings, Pickens, came into the series in 2nd place at 4-2, but was looking to shake off a tough series with Northwest Whitfield. The Ramblers, came in just behind the Dragons at 3-3 in the standings.
The top of the 1st saw the starter for the Dragons, Isaiah Payne, work quickly as he sat the Ramblers down on 9 pitches. Pickens, went quietly as well in the bottom of the 1st, sending us to the 2nd, still tied at 0. Payne, found himself in a little trouble in the top of the 2nd, but was able to pitch around it, and send us to the bottom of the frame. A lead off walk drawn by Jace Franklin, came back to haunt Lafayette as Caswell Smith would bring in Franklin on an RBI double, giving the Dragons a 1-0 lead, going to the 3rd.
Payne, got out of the top of the 3rd, needing only 10 pitches to send us to the bottom of the inning. Hunter Hermann, got things started in the Dragons half of the 3rd, by getting hit by a pitch, taking 2nd base on a passed pick off attempt, & scoring on an RBI single by Dylan Huffman, to make 2-0 Pickens, going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, Payne again worked around trouble as he would strikeout two Ramblers, sending us to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, got hits from Chad Pacas, & Tyler Vreeland in the bottom of the frame, but left runners stranded at the corners, sending us to the 5th, Pickens still ahead, 2-0.
In the top of the 5th, Lafayette cut the Dragons lead in half, as Payne got through the top half of the 5th, giving up the one run. Pickens, got a lead off double from Huffman, but were unable to bring him around, & we would head to the 6th, Dragons now leading 2-1. Cobly James would come on in relief of Payne in the top of the 6th, & needed 12 pitches, & collected 2 strikeouts to send the Dragons offense back up. A two out single by Vreeland, would be all Pickens would get in the bottom of the 6th, & we’d go to the 7th, Dragons up, 2-1.
In the top of the 7th, Lafayette, was threatening to tie the ball game up or even take the lead, loading the bases up at one point in the frame. James, was able to get out of it, with the help of some good defensive plays, to give the Dragons the narrow 2-1 win over the Ramblers.
Stats:
Isaiah Payne: 5IP, 4K, 1R, 1ER, 72 pitches
Cobly James: 2IP, 3K, 0R, 0ER, 28 pitches
Dylan Huffman: 2-3 with a single, & a double, & 1 RBI
Jace Franklin: a walk, & 1 run scored
Chad Pacas: 1-3 with a single
Caswell Smith: 1-2 with a double, & 1 RBI
Tyler Vreeland: 2-3 with 2 singles
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with a single
Hunter Hermann: hit by pitch, & 1 run scored
Games 2 & 3 will be played at Lafayette in a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch for game 2 is scheduled for 4:40.
Dragons Get Win Over Northwest Whitfield In Series Opener
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 21, 2018
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed the Northwest Whitfield Bruins to Dragons Field to begin their 3-game set. Pickens, came into this game 8-5 overall, but more importantly, 3-0 in region play after sweeping the Gilmer Bobcats to start region play. The Bruins, went 2-1 against Southeast Whitfield, & dropped all three games against Heritage in close fashion.
Caswell Smith took to the mound to start for the Dragons and pitched very well. Smith would strikeout 2 Bruins batters to begin the game. Pickens, had an early chance to put some runs on the board, but would leave two runners stranded to send us to the 2nd, still scoreless. Smith would add to his strikeout total in the top of the 2nd, giving him 3 in two innings. Smith then led off the bottom of the frame with a single, but the Dragons would not be able to score as we’d head to the 3rd, still tied at 0.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Pickens broke through and broke the tie after a 2-out RBI single from Jace Franklin brought in Dylan Huffman. Going to the top of the 4th, the Dragons held a 1-0 lead over the Bruins. Smith, struck out 2 in the 4th, bringing his total to 7 for the game, & keeping the lead at 1-0 in favor of Pickens. In the bottom of the 4th, the Dragons again did damage with 2-out as Brady Moore had a 2 RBI triple, & Joseph Gossett would follow that up with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 4-0 over Northwest Whitfield, going to the 5th.
We pick up the action in the top of the 6th, as Northwest Whitfield got on the board, and cut the Dragons lead in half. Isaiah Payne came on in relief of Smith, & needed 1 pitch to get out of the 6th. In the the top of the 7th, Payne was able to end any potential game tying threats by the Bruins, and sealed the win for Pickens, 4-2.
Stats:
Caswell Smith: 5 2/3rd innings, 9K, 2R, 2ER, 110 pitches, & 1-3 with a single
Isaiah Payne: 1 /1/3rd innings, 1K, 20 pitches
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a walk, a triple, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Joseph Gossett: 1-2 with a HBP, a single, & 1 RBI
Jace Franklin: 1-2 with a walk, a single, & 1 RBI
Hunter Hermann: 1-3 with a single, & 1 run scored
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with a double, & 1 run scored
Evan Jones: 1 run scored
These two teams will play again tomorrow at Northwest Whitfield in game two of the three game set. First pitch set for 5:55.
Dragons Fall In Back & Forth Game 2 With SE Whitfield, Celebrate Senior Night Tonight
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 20, 2018
Late yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed the Southeast Whitfield Raiders to Dragons Field, for game 2 of their 3-game set. Pickens, took game 1 at Southeast 8-2, to clinch a playoff spot in the upcoming 4-A State Baseball Tournament on Tuesday, & looked to take the series outright with a win at home.
In the top of the 1st, the Raiders, jumped out in front with 2 runs on 2 hits. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons got a 1-out single from Jace Franklin, but Franklin would be caught attempting to steal 3rd, after stealing 2nd, ending the scoring threat for Pickens in the 1st. Dragons starter Dylan Huffman, struck out 2 Raiders in the top of the 2nd, keeping the score at 2-0, going to the bottom of the frame. Brady Moore, liked the first pitch he saw and sent it over the left field wall to cut the Southeast Whitfield lead in half, 2-1, going to the 3rd.
In the top of the 3rd, Huffman would record his 4th K of the day, but the Raiders plated a run to extend their lead back to two, 3-1 as we’d head to the bottom half of the inning. Pickens, got a 2-out walk from Franklin, Caswell Smith & Chad Pacas both reached on errors, but Southeast Whitfield was able to get out of the big time jam, to send us to the 4th, Raiders up, 3-1. The Raiders, again plated a single run in the top of the 4th, to lead the Dragons 4-1. Pickens, went quietly in the bottom of the frame, to send us to the 5th.
New Dragons pitcher Colby James, worked around a walk to strikeout the side in the top of the 5th. In the bottom half of the 5th, Pickens got back to back singles from Isaiah Payne & Joseph Gossett. Franklin, drove in Payne, to cut the Southeast Whitfield lead to 4-2, going to the 6th. In the top of the 6th, the Raiders got back to back to back triples, scoring twice in the process, to extend their lead to 6-2. Moore would lead off the bottom of the 6th with a double, & would come into score after a 1-out double from James. We went to the 7th, Raiders leading, 6-3. Southeast Whitfield, got out of the bottom of the 7th, & got the win, 6-3.
Stats:
Joseph Gossett: 1-4 with a single
Jace Franklin: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 RBI
Brady Moore: 2-3 with a home run, a double, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Colby James: 2-3 with a single, a double, & 1 RBI
Isaiah Payne: 1-1 with a single & 1 run scored
Later today, the Dragons will again host the Southeast Whitfield Raiders, for the 3rd game of the series, & the final game of the regular season. Tonight, is also Senior Night. There will be a pregame ceremony recognizing the seniors for their contributions to PHS & the baseball program. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55.
Dragons Drop Close Game 2 To Bruins, Host Series Finale This Afternoon
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 23, 2018
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team traveled up to Tunnel Hill to take on the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in game two of the their 3-game set. On Tuesday, the Dragons got the upper hand in the series as they took game one, 4-2 over the Bruins. Coming into this game, Pickens looked to keep that momentum going, & take the series outright.
The top of the 1st got off to a promising start for the Dragons as lead off hitter Brady Moore reached base after an error. However, Northwest Whitfield got out of the half inning with out any damage done. The starting pitcher for Pickens, Dylan Huffman, got off to a good start to his day as he would K the side, to send us to the 2nd. Jace Franklin kicked off the 2nd with a lead off single. Franklin would be stranded at 2nd as the Dragons were unable to score. The Bruins, took advantage of a lead off walk in the bottom half of the inning, as that walk would come into score after a pitch got away from the catcher. We headed to the 3rd, Northwest Whitfield lead the Dragons, 1-0.
Tyler Vreeland, led off the 3rd with a single, but again, the Bruins would be able to work around it and maintain their lead, 1-0, going to the bottom of the 3rd. Huffman, would bring his strikeout total to 5 in the bottom of the frame as he kept Northwest Whitfield in check, and sent us to the 4th, Pickens still trailing, 1-0. Both starting pitchers kept the offenses for both teams scoreless in the 4th, as we’d head to the 5th, Bruins still leading, 1-0.
The Dragons, broke through in the top of the 5th as Huffman, got hit by a pitch, advanced on a passed ball, & scored on a Moore RBI, to tie things up at 1, going to the bottom of the inning. With some good defensive help behind him, Huffman and the Dragons got through the bottom of the 5th, tied at 1 a piece. In the top of the 6th, Pickens had runners at 1st & 2nd, with 1 out, but could not take the lead. The bottom of the 6th saw Isaiah Payne come on in relief of Huffman, & got out of the inning with nothing doing for the Bruins.
In the top of the 7th, Hunter Hermann reached on a 1-out single, advanced to 2nd after a pick off throw got past the 1st baseman, then scored after a RBI double from Huffman, to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead, going to the bottom of the 7th. Northwest Whitfield, would display a little timely hitting of their own as a single would bring in two runners, & give the Bruins the win, 3-2.
Stats:
Dylan Huffman: 5IP, 1R, 1ER, 1H, 6K, 99 pitches, & 1-2 with a double, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Isaiah Payne: 1IP, 1K, 0R, 0ER, 14 pitches
Brady Moore: 1-4 with a single & 1 RBI
Colby James: 1-3 with a single
Jace Franklin: 1-1 with a single & 2 walks
Hunter Hermann: 1-3 with a single & 1 run scored
Tyler Vreeland: 1-3 with a single
The 3-game set between these two teams concludes today as the Dragons will welcome the Bruins of Northwest Whitfield to Dragons Field. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons Get Series Win Over Bobcats, Go For Sweep Today
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 9, 2018
on a cold, somewhat windy night, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team made the short trip up 515 to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats in game 2 of the 3 game set. On Tuesday, Pickens used a late inning rally to get the win in game 1, 7-5, & looked to carry the momentum built in that dramatic win, over to this road game.
In the top of the 1st, Pickens got off to a quick start. Joseph Gossett & Jace Franklin had an RBI each in the top of the 1st for the Dragons as they raced out to an early 2-0 lead. The starting pitcher for the Dragons, Dylan Huffman, got out of an early jam in the bottom of the frame as Gilmer would leave runners at 1st & 3rd stranded. We headed to the 2nd, Pickens up, 2-0. The Dragons, had three runners come around to score in their half of the 2nd as Gossett & Franklin again provided an RBI each. Pickens now held a 5-0 lead over the Bobcats. Huffman, worked through the bottom of the 2nd, collecting his 2nd & 3rd K’s of the game, & sending us to the 3rd, Dragons leading Gilmer, 5-0.
Both teams were quite in the 3rd inning. Action picked up in the bottom of the 4th inning, when Gillmer loaded the bases with 1 out after two hits, & a walk. Huffman, was able to calm himself down, & strikeout the next two Bobcats he faced, to get out of the inning without giving up any runs. Pickens, still held a 5-0 lead, going to the 5th.
The Dragons, added another run in the top of the 5th, after Colby James came around to score after drawing a walk. In the bottom of the inning, Gilmer was able to get on the board, making it 6-1 Pickens, going to the 6th. The scoring, picked back up in the 7th inning as the Dragons batted around in the top half of the frame, plating 5 runs in the process, to stretch their lead to 11-1. Gilmer, plated 3 runs in the bottom half of the 7th, but it would not be enough as Pickens took this one, 11-4.
Stats:
Dylan Huffman: 5IP, 7K, 2BB, 4H, 1R, 0ER, 96 pitches & 1 run scored
Isaiah Payne: 1IP, 1K, 1H, 0R, 0ER, 12 pitches & 1-1 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Brady Moore: 1-3 with a single, 2BB, 2 runs scored, & 1 RBI
Joseph Gossett: 2-4 with 2 singles, a HBP, 2 runs scored, & 2 RBI
Jace Franklin: 1-2 with a double, 1BB, & 2 RBI
Caswell Smith: 1-1 with a single & 1 RBI
With the win, Pickens takes the series. These two teams will meet for the 3rd and final time this week as the Dragons will look to complete the sweep when they host the Gilmer Bobcats at Dragons Field. First Pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Late Inning Heroics Lift Dragons Past Gilmer In Region Opener
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 7, 2018
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted their rival, the Gilmer Bobcats, for the 6-AAAA region series opener. Pickens, came in on a tough two game skid, while Gilmer came in with their bats on fire after a 15-0 win over Murray County last week. This, was game one of a three game set. If the other two turn out like last night’s, this will be a fun series.
Caswell Smith took the mound for Pickens in the top of the 1st. Smith, would surrender a 1-out single, but that’s all the Bobcats would manage in the top half of the 1st. In the bottom of the 1st, Pickens threatened early, but left runners stranded at 1st & 3rd, sending us to the 2nd, still tied. In the top of the 2nd, the Bobcats had runners at 2nd & 3rd, but Smith & the Dragons were able to escape it without any damage done. Pickens, would go down in order in the bottom of the 2nd, sending us to the 3rd, with no score so far.
In the top of the 3rd, Gilmer was the first to breakthrough as they were able to plate a run, & take their first lead of the ball game, 1-0, heading to the bottom of the 3rd. The Dragons, countered with 2 runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead over the Bobcats, going to the 4th. Gilmer, countered the 2 runs Pickens put up in the bottom of the 3rd, with 3 runs in the top of the 4th. All three runs in the 4th, came with 2 outs. The Dragons, went quietly in the bottom of the inning, & we would go to the 5th, Bobcats ahead, 4-2.
Gilmer, got a 2-out double in the top of the 5th, but new Dragon pitcher Isaiah Payne, was able to settle in & get out of the half inning. Pickens, again went in order in the bottom of the 5th, sending us to the 6th, Bobcats still leading, 4-2. Gilmer, added to their lead in the top of the 6th by scoring a run to make it 5-2. In the bottom of the 6th, the Dragons bats came alive. Leading the way for Pickens in the 6th was Brady Moore, who gave the Dragons the lead with a 2-out, 2-run double. Pickens, took a 7-5 lead going to the 7th.
In the 7th, Moore came in to try to close it out and close it out he did. Pickens, was able to hang on and get a 7-5 region opening win.
Pickens, is now 5-4 on the season, & 1-0 in region play. These two teams, will be back at it tomorrow afternoon in Ellijay. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons Rally Late, Fall To Vidalia
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 25, 2018
After falling to Roswell in the 1st game of the day, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team got a chance to rest up a bit, before taking on Vidalia late Saturday afternoon. Vidalia, fell 4-1 to Roswell prior to their game with the Dragons.
Will Lawrence got the start for the Dragons in the nightcap. Lawrence, were able to get out of early trouble in the top of the 1st, as Vidalia was only able to plate 1 run on 2 hits. Pickens, tied things up in the bottom half of the 1st after an RBI groundout by Joseph Gossett. We would go to the 2nd, all knotted up at 1. In the top of the 2nd, the Indians were able to plate a run to retake the lead, 2-1 over Pickens, going to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, had a chance to tie the ball game up again in the bottom of the 2nd, but left two runners on, to send us to the 3rd, Vidalia leading 2-1.
Lawrence, needed 13 pitches to get out of the top of the 3rd as he & the Dragons kept the Indians from adding to their lead. Pickens, would load the bases full of Dragons in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to get a run across, & we would head to the 4th, Vidalia still ahead, 2-1. The bottom of the 4th, was another chance for Pickens to tie the game, but stranded a runner at 3rd.
Isaiah Payne, who came on in relief of Lawrence in the top of the 4th, needed just 9 pitches to get out of the top of the 5th, & send the Dragons back up for another chance at tying things up, or even taking the lead. In the bottom of the 5th, with 2 down, Pickens had a runner called out at the plate after he tried to score from 2nd after the Indians catcher, could not locate a passed ball. That, would send us to the top of the 6th, Vidalia still leading, 2-1.
Vidalia, scored three runs in the top of the 6th, to strech their lead out over the Dragons to 5-1. Pickens, would not go so easily as they would get right back into the game in the bottom of the 6th. The Dragons, scored 3 runs, highlighted by 2 triples in the frame to cut the Indians lead to 5-4, headed to the 7th. After getting out of the top of the 7th without any damage done, the dragons came up in the bottom of the inning, looking to win it. Vidalia, was able to hold on after surviving a scare from Pickens. The Indians got the win, 5-4.
Stats
Brady Moore: 2-4 with a single, triple, 3 RBI, 1 run scored, & 1 IP with 2K
Caswell Smith: 1-3 with a triple, a walk, & 1 run scored
Hunter Hermann: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
Joseph Gossett: 1-3 with a single, & 1 RBI
Colby James: 1-4 with a single
Tyler Vreeland: 1-3 with a single, & a walk
Alex Snelgrove: 1 run scored
Pickens, will look to shake off a pair of tough played games over the weekend as they will be back home on Tuesday as they welcome the Woodland (Cartersville) Wildcats out of 5-A to Dragons Field. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons Improve To 3-0 After Defeating Murray County In 6 Innings
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 21, 2018
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team, took to the road and headed to Chatsworth to take on the Murray County Indians. Through two games so far this season, the Dragons have been scoring runs in bunches, and looked to continue that trend against the Indians.
The bats were working for the Dragons early in the top of the 1st, as two runs came across to give Pickens the early lead. Starting pitcher for the Dragons, Colby James, pitched well during his outing & it started in the bottom of the 1st as he struck out two, & needed 13 pitches to work in the 1st. We would head to the 2nd, Pickens leading Murray County, 2-0. In the top half of the 2nd, Pickens added to their lead. Scoring 6 runs on 7 hits, & batting around in the frame. The Dragons, would lead it 8-0 going to the bottom of the 2nd. In the bottom of the inning, James added to his strikeout total by getting two more, & sending us to the 3rd, & the hot bats of Pickens back to the plate.
In the top of the 3rd, the Dragons had two more hits, & 1 run come across to score after a balk was called. Making it 9-0 Pickens, going to the bottom of the 3rd. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Indians got on the board after plating a run. James did not let that rattle him as he would strikeout the side to bring his total to 7 on the day. A 2-out double is all the Dragons would come up with in the 4th as it would be the only inning on the night where they did not score. In the bottom of the 4th, Isaiah Payne would come in for James & needed just 4 pitches to send us to the 5th, Dragons ahead, 9-1.
Two walks, & crafty baserunning plated Pickens a run in the top of the 5th, to give them a 10-1 lead over Murray County. Payne would collect a strikeout, & needed only 9 pitches to end the Indians portion of the 5th. In the top of the 6th, the Dragons plated three more runs on 3 hits to stretch their lead to 13-1 going to the bottom of the frame. Payne needed 5 pitches in the bottom of the 6th to get the Indians. The 10-run rule after 5 innings came into play & the Dragons took this one, 13-1 in 6 innings.
Stats:
Colby James: 3IP, 7K, 2BB, 1ER, 49 pitches
Isaiah Payne: 3IP, 1K, 0ER, 18 pitches
The Dragons scored 13 runs on 15 hits
Pickens, is now 3-0 on the season. So far they have outscored their opponents, 38-14. They will be back in action Saturday as they will take part in a tournament at Lakepoint. First up, the Roswell Hornets. First pitch for that one is scheduled for 1 pm. Pickens, will then take on the Vidalia Indians. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 6 pm.
Dragons Fall In Series Finale With Heritage, Host Ridgeland Next Week
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 8, 2017
Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted the Generals of Heritage in the 3rd & final game of a big time series. After taking the 1st game on Tuesday, Heritage won the 2nd game on Thursday, meaning the winner of this one, would take 2nd place in the region, & the series.
Junior Dylan Huffman got the call to start for the Dragons & had to work out of trouble early. The Generals plated one run in the top of the first, & threatened to score more, but D. Huffman & the Dragons defense did a good job of just limiting it to one run. For Heritage, they sent out their highly touted pitcher, Junior Cole Wilcox, who is committed to UGA, & an Under Armor All-American Game invitee (game is played at Wrigley Field in Chicago). Pickens could not get anything going in the bottom of the frame and we headed to the 2nd, Generals leading the Dragons, 1-0. D. Huffman was able to again settle down after early trouble and get out of the top of the 2nd without any damage done. Pickens had a chance in the bottom of the 2nd to tie things up, but were unable to bring in the runner from 2nd, to send us to the 3rd, Heritage still in front, 1-0.
After the Generals added to their lead, Dylan Huffman would be relieved by Andrew Hasbrouck in the top of the 3rd with two outs in the frame. Hasbrouck got the Dragons out of the inning, but not before Heritage tacked on 5 more runs to take a 6-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the 3rd, Brady Moore started it off with a single, and would be driven in by Joseph Gossett, to cut the General lead to 6-1, going to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, Heritage went down quietly as Hasbrouck needed ten pitches to get out of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, the Pickens again had a runner in scoring position, but he was unable to score and we would go to the 5th, Generals leading the Dragons, 6-1.
Isaiah Payne came on in relief of Hasbrouck in the top of the 5th. Payne was able to end the top of the 5th with a strikeout, but not before Heritage would plate 3 more runs to increase their lead over Pickens to, 9-1 going to the bottom of the 5th. The Generals were able to sit the Dragons in order in the bottom of the 5th to send us to the 6th, Heritage leading, 9-1. Payne was able to get the Dragons out of the top of the 6th without any damage done and ended the half inning with a strikeout just like the 5th. A one-out single by Dalton Presley would be all that the Dragons could muster in the bottom of the 6th. We headed to the 7th, Generals still in front, 9-1.
In the top of the 7th, Dominic Stephens took over for Payne and pitched very well in his lone inning of work. Stephens struck out two General batters and got three outs on 12 pitches to send us to the bottom of the 7th. Heritage was able to close it out, and get the win, 9-1.
Joseph Gossett: 1 RBI
Dalton Presley: 1-3 with 1 single
Dominic Stephens: 1-3 with 1 single
Brady Moore: 1-2 with 1 single & 1 run scored
Pickens will be back home next Tuesday as they begin a series with the Ridgeland Panthers. The Dragons are currently 13-8 overall and in 3rd in 6-AAAA at 7-5. The Panthers currently occupy the 5th spot in the region at 4-7. Pickens will need to continue to win to secure the 3rd seed out of 6-AAAA as the season starts winding down. You can catch the 1st game of this series Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 at Dragons Field at PCMS.
Dragons Get Their Record Over .500 With Win Over Murray County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 6, 2017
On Saturday, the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team hosted three teams for a set of afternoon ball games as they welcomed the Murray County Indians, & the Newton Rams to Dragons Field. Each team would get a chance to play each other & the two teams to kick the day off would be Murray County, & your Dragons.
Caswell Smith got the call in game one for the Dragons and he pitched very well against the Indians. In the top of the 1st, Smith sat down 2 Indians via strikeout as we would go to the bottom of the inning. Pickens, would get a single & 2 walks in consecutive at bats, but would leave the bases loaded as we would head to the 2nd, still tied at 0. In the top of the 2nd, Smith worked out of trouble by again striking out 2 Indians to send us to the bottom of the frame. Travis Huffman drove in Brady Moore with an RBI triple, then came in to score himself after an errant throw to 3rd to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead going to the 3rd.
In the 3rd, Smith needed only ten pitches & collected 2 more strike outs to bring his total to 6 through 3 innings. Pickens, would go quietly in the bottom of the 3rd as we headed to the 4th with the Dragons still leading Murray County, 2-0. Smith continued his impressive start in the 4th with another 2 strikeout inning, bringing his total up to 8 for the game. The Dragons left 2 stranded in the bottom half of the 4th and we’d go to the 5th with Pickens still leading the Indians, 2-0.
Smith’s last inning was the top of the 5th and he finished it off by not giving up anything to Murray County. In the bottom of the inning, Will Lawrence brought in pitch runner Isaiah Payne to stretch the Dragons lead to 3-0 going to the top of the 6th. In the top of the 6th, the Indians plated a run on 3 hits to cut the Pickens lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the frame, Dalton Presley added some insurance runs as he drove in T. Huffman & Joseph Gossett to make it 5-1 Dragons going to the 7th. In the top of the 7th, the Dragons used a combination of Jace Franklin, Andrew Hasbrouck, & Brady Moore to get the Indians out and seal the win for Pickens, 5-1.
Caswell Smith: 5 IP, 3H 8K, 0ER on 73 pitches
Jace Franklin: 1 1/3IP, 1K 1R on 28 pitches, & 1-1 with a single
Andrew Hasbrouck: 1/3IP 0R on 2 pitches
Brady Moore: 1/3IP 0R 1K on 5 pitches, & 1-1 with a run scored
Travis Huffman: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Joseph Gossett: 2-4 with 2 singles & 1 run scored
Dalton Presley: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, & 2 RBI
Dominic Stephens: 1-2 with a single & 1 walk
Will Lawrence: 1-3 with 1 RBI
Wyatt Gooch: 1-2 with a single
Dylan Huffman: 1-3 with a single
Isaiah Payne: 1 run scored
JV Dragons Fall In Tough Game With Creekview
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 3, 2017
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS JV Dragons baseball team hosted the Grizzlies of Creekview at Dragons Field. Pickens, came in looking to get a big win over a school in a higher classification before facing their rival Gilmer next week.
In the top of the 1st, the Grizzlies struck early. Creekview managed to plate 3 runs on 2 hits, to lead the Dragons 3-0 going to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom half of the opening inning, Pickens scored 4 runs as Michael Burrell & Lucas Headrick knocked in 3 runs combined & 1 run came in after a wild pitch. Pickens led Creekview going to the 2nd, 4-3. A 12 pitch top of the 2nd for Isaiah Payne, & an 8 pitch top of the 3rd for Clate Mcarthur kept Pickens in front 4-3 as neither team found offense till the 4th.
In the 4th, the Grizzlies drove in 5 runs to take the lead back, 8-4. The Dragons went down in order in the bottom of the inning to send us to the 5th, Creekview ahead, 8-4. After a 9 pitch top of the 5th for Damian Watkins, the Dragons cut into the Grizzly lead in the bottom of the frame with 3 runs coming home on 4 hits to make it 8-7 Creekview going to the 6th.
In the 6th, Creekview would add to their lead. The Grizzlies scored 5 runs in the top of the 6th to stretch their lead on the Dragons out to 13-7. Haedrick drove in Burrell in the bottom of the 6th to cut the lead to 13-8 going to the 7th inning. Shawn Mask struck out two in the top of the 7th for Pickens and sent us to the bottom of the final inning. Creekview was able to come away with the win, 13-8.
Will Lawrence: 1IP, 2K’s, 3R 2H on 23 pitches, & 0-0 with a walk
Isaiah Payne: 1IP, 0R on 12 pitches
Clate Macarthur: 1IP, 1K, 0R on 8 pitches
Jackson Jones: 1IP 5R on 18 pitches
Damian Watkins: 1IP, 0R, on 9 pitches
Shawn Mask: 2IP, 4K on 27 pitches
Adam Massey: 0-2 with 2 walks & 1 run scored
Colby James: 1-4 with 1 single & 1 run scored
Michael Burrell: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored, & 1 HBP
Jay Jones: 1-2 with a sac RBI, 1 single
Lucas Headrick: 4-4 with 1 double, 3 singles, 4 RBI, & 1 run scored
Clayton Holland: 0-0 with 2 walks
Dalton Elrod: 2-2 with 2 singles & 1 RBI
Dragons and Bobcats Split Match-Ups; Prepare For League Tournament
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2016
Yesterday, two of the top teams in the JV Mountain League faced off at PCMS as the JV Dragons of PHS, welcomed their rival, the JV Bobcats of Gilmer, to Dragons Field. Last Friday, Pickens came away with a 10-5 victory over Gilmer, and were looking for the sweep heading into the Tournament later this week.
In the top of the 1st inning, the Bobcats got on the board when Tyler Woody brought in Brandon Weaver and Evan Frady on a double and Will Barnes came in on a passed ball. Gilmer led things 3-0 going to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons were unable to capitalize on a Brady Moore two-out triple, as we went to the 2nd, Bobcats ahead, 3-0. After a scoreless 2nd, the Dragons were able to cut into the Gilmer lead in the 3rd as Adam Massey came in on Moore’s two-out RBI single, making things 3-1 in favor of Gilmer.
The Bobcats tacked on two runs in the top of the 4th when Bradley Thomas drove in Sam Nicholson. Thomas then scored on an error, making it 5-1 going to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the 4th, Pickens again cut into the Gilmer lead as Tyler Vreeland & Will Lawrence brought in runs. Going to the 5th, the Bobcats led, 5-3. A lead off single from Weaver paid off for Gilmer as Woody brought him in on a sac fly, to give the Bobcats a 6-3 lead. The Dragons had a chance in the bottom of the 5th, but left the bases loaded, as we went to the 6th, Gilmer ahead, 6-3.
The Bobcats had another scoring chance in the top of the 6th, but left two on as the Dragons were able to get out of it. A Massey single in the bottom of the 6th and Bailey Truett reaching on an error was all Pickens could manage as they were left stranded as we headed to the 7th. Moore, now in to pitch for the Dragons, pitched very well striking out the side in his lone inning of work. Pierce was able to close things out for Gilmer as the Bobcats avenged their loss at home, winning this one 6-3.
Gilmer
Barnes went 5 innings giving 3 runs on 7 hits and striking out 4 on 75 pitches & went 1-3 with a single & run scored
Taylor Nolan went 1 inning not allowing a run & giving up 1 hit on 9 pitches
Tripp Pierce went 1 inning not allowing a run & giving up 2 hits on 23 pitches
Frady drew a walk and scored a run
Woody went 1-3 with a double & 3 RBI
Nicholson went 2-3 with 2 singles and a run scored
Thomas went 1-2 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Pickens
Caswell Smith went 2 innings giving up 2 ER, 1 unearned on 2 hits & striking out 2 on 42 pitches & went 2-3
Damain Watkins went 2 innings giving up 1 ER, 1 unearned on 2 hits on 26 pitches
Isaiah Payne went 2 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits & striking out 1 on 32 pitches
Brady Moore went 1 inning striking out 3 and walking 1 on 18 pitches & went 2-3 with 1 RBI
Josh Holbert went 2-3 with 2 singles & a run scored
Michael Burrell scored a run (courtesy ran for Gabe Groover)
Tyler Vreeland went 2-3 with 2 singles & 1 RBI
Will Lawrence had a sacrifice RBI
Adam Massey went 2-3 with a run scored
Both teams will now get ready for the JV Mountain League Tournament this week. The Tournament will begin on Friday and will run through Saturday. All games will be held at GHS.
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Despite Cooler Temps, Dragons JV Baseball Stays Hot
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 22, 2016
In what was a beautiful, yet cool day yesterday at Dragons Field, the PHS JV Baseball Dragons looked to continue their winning way as they hosted the JV Indians of Lumpkin Co in a league match up.
Isaiah Payne got the call to the mound yesterday and showed great stuff while pitching effectively. Lumpkin Co. stranded a runner at 3rd, sending us to the bottom of the 1st. The Dragons were able to get an RBI each from Payne & Will Lawrence to take a 2-0 lead going to the 2nd. The lead for Pickens did not last long as the JV Indians managed to plate two runs in the top half of the 2nd to tie it up at 2. A Michael Burrell double in the bottom of the frame brought in Adam Massey to give the Dragons the lead back at 3-2.
In the top of the 3rd, Pickens turned an unconventional 6-5-4 double play to end any scoring threat Lumpkin Co. may have had. The Dragons bats were silenced in order in the bottom of the inning sending us to the 4th, Pickens on top, 3-2. Payne got a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 4th, and the Dragons were able to plate a run in the bottom of the inning to stretch the lead out to 4-2, going to the 5th.
Pickens broke things open in the bottom of the 5th after scoring 5 runs in the frame to make it, 9-2 going to the 6th. the Indians were able to plate a run in the top of the 6th, while the Dragons countered and scored a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Jackson Jones, who came on in relief of Payne in the 6th, was able to get the final three outs in the top of the 7th to seal the win for Pickens, 10-3. With that win, the JV Dragons are now 9-1 on the season.
Isiah Payne went 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, & striking out 3 on 56 pitches, went 1-4 with an RBI & run scored
Jackson Jones went 2 innings giving up 1 run on 20 pitches
Michael Burrell went 3-3 with a single, double, triple, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, & a walk
Brady Moore went 1-4 with a double and a run scored
Caswell Smith went 1-4 with a single, & 1 RBI
Will Lawrence went 1-2 with a single, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, & a walk
Adam Massey went 2-2 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, & a walk
These same two teams will play again on Wednesday in Lumpkin at 5:30, then the JV Dragons will travel up 515 into enemy territory, when they take on the JV Bobcats of Gilmer for the 1st time this season. That game, has a start time of 5:30 as well.
JV Dragons Come From Behind To Go To 8-1 On The Season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 18, 2016
Yesterday afternoon, the PHS JV Baseball team hosted the JV Rebels of Fannin Co. for baseball action. These two teams went back & forth in Blue Ridge on Tuesday with the JV Dragons coming away with a narrow 9-8 victory. This game, turned out to be a nail bitter as well.
Brady Moore got the start for the Dragons and was very effective. The JV Rebels got two on the board in the 1st to take a 2-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. Pickens left a runner on second in the bottom half of the 1st, sending us to the 2nd with Fannin ahead, 2-0. Moore and the Dragons were able to strand a Rebel at 2nd, but had their own potential scoring chance ended as Pickens stranded two in the bottom of the 2nd to send us to the 3rd, JV Rebels still leading, 2-0.
Moore got things working well in the top of the 3rd, as he struck out the side to send his team up to bat in the bottom of the frame. Will Lawrence brought in Moore with an RBI hit to cut the Fannin lead in half, 2-1 going to the 4th. In the 4th, Clate McArthur came in to relieve Moore and had an impressive outing. McArthur needed just 8 pitches in the top of the 4th to sit the JV Rebels down. In the bottom half of the inning, McArthur brought in Adam Massey to tie things up at 2 a piece.
The tie did not last long however as Fannin took the lead right back in the top of the 5th, leading it, 3-2. The Dragons had a chance of their own to tie or take the lead in the bottom of the inning, but left two on as we headed to the 6th. McArthur struck out the side in the top of the 6th, to bring the Dragons up to the plate, looking to get something going. Moore brought in Michael Burrell to tie it up at 3, then Gabe Groover gave Pickens their 1st lead of the game with a 2 RBI single. Dragons held a 5-3 advantage going to the 7th.
Fannin refused to go quietly as they had a scoring chance with one out. as one run came across the plate, a second potential run was sent around 3rd, when the left fielder Lawrence loaded up, and threw the runner out at the plate. Pitcher Isaiah Payne then got a ground out on the next pitch to seal the win for the Dragons, 5-4. The win improves the JV’s record to 8-1 on the season.
Brady Moore went 3 innings, gave up 2 R, (1 ER), walked 3, K’d 5 on 54 pitches & went 2-4 with 1 RBI & 2 runs scored
Clate McArthur went 3 innings, K’d 3, gave up 1 run on 44 pitches & went 1-2 with 1 RBI
Michael Burrell went 2-3 with a single, a double, & 1 run acored
Isiah Payne went 1-4 with a single & a run scored
Josh Holbert drew two walks
Will Lawrence went 1-4 with a single & 1 RBI
Gabe Groover went 2-4 with 2 singles & 2 RBI
Tyler Vreeland drew a walk
Adam Massey went 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
JV Dragons Baseball Now 6-1 On The Season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 15, 2016
Yesterday, after their varsity teammates, defeated the Towns Co. varsity 17-2, the PHS JV Baseball team hosted the Towns Co. JV Indians in the 2nd game of the varsity/JV doubleheader. This is a league game for both teams with both fighting for position in the standings.
Jackson Jones got the start for the Dragons and worked a solid first inning. Pickens got three straight hits to open the bottom half of the 1st, and runs driven in by Isaiah Payne & Will Lawrence to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead going to the 2nd. In the 2nd, the Indians were able to get a run back to make things 3-1 going to the bottom of the 2nd. Pickens would be held scoreless in the 2nd as we headed to the 3rd, still 3-1 Dragons.
In the 3rd, Towns Co. again chipped away at the lead with another run to cut things to 3-2. J. Jones helped his own cause as he brought in Lawrence with an RBI double to stretch the lead back to two at 4-2 going to the 4th. Pickens got out of a jam in the top of the 4th to send us to the bottom of the inning. Much like their varsity counterparts, the JV Dragons had a huge 4th inning, scoring 13 runs on 10 hits, making it 17-2 and enforcing the 15 run rule.
Jackson Jones went 3 2/3rd innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits, & striking out 2 on 66 pitches. Went 1-2 with a double, & 1 RBI
Michael Burrell went 2-4 with a single, double, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Isaiah Payne went 1-1 with a single, 1 RBI & a run scored
Jacob Kirchoff went 1-1 with a single, & 2 runs scored
Brady Moore went 1-1 with a single, & 1 run scored
Dalton Elrod went 2-2 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Caswell Smith scored 2 runs
Will Lawrence went 3-4 with 4 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Tyler Vreeland went 1-2 with 2 runs scored
Adam Massey went 1-3 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Damain Watkins had 2 RBI & went 1/3rd inning with 0 runs & 0 walks
Lucas Headrick went 1-3 with a double, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
The JV Dragons will be in action again later today as they take on the JV Fannin Rebels in Blue Ridge. Pickens will return the favor by hosting the JV Rebels on Thursday.