James Tilley Archives - PickensPickens

Dragons and Trojans split Saturday Doubleheader

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.

Dragons all over 7-AAA All-Region Team

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 28, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — After a stellar regular season that led to a 26-4 overall record and a 16-2 record in 7-AAA play that led to a region championship, the Pickens Dragons had players all over the 7-AAA All-Region teams.

Head coach Adam Williams, was named 7-AAA Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to their first region championship in baseball. Freshman A.J. Rice and Junior James Tilley, were named Co-Pitchers of the Year.

Outfielders Dawson Holland and Trey Payne, were named to the All-Region 1st team. Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, was named to the All-Region Pitchers list. Senior outfielder Colby Brooks, was named to the All-Region 2nd team.

Senior Young Harris commit, infielder Evan Giddens, catcher Kam Jenkins, Junior Jacksonville State commit RHP JP Nunn, and first baseman Trace Ledbetter were named to the All-Region Honorable Mention team.

Below is the full list of the All-Region teams:

Congratulations to all of these young men for earning a spot on the All-Region teams!

7-AAA All-Region Team A.J. Rice Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne

Rice tosses shutout; Dragons advance to Sweet 16

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2023 , by RJ Casey

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.

A.J. Rice Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Davin Abernathy Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Ezra Faber GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament Gordon Lee Trojans Harlan Will Hart County Bulldogs James Tilley Kam Jenkins PHS Basebball Sam Hammontree Sports Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons split doubleheader with Hart County

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 25, 2023 , by RJ Casey

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.

Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Ezra Faber GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament Hart County Bulldogs James Tilley Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sam Dart Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons shut out Tallulah Falls on Senior Night

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 22, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a great day to celebrate as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Tallulah Falls Indians on Friday, April 21st for Senior Night. Prior to the ball game, the Dragons recognized their 4 Seniors from the 2023 class. Colby Brooks, Evan Giddens, Tee Knight, and Harlan Will were honored for their contributions to the Pickens baseball program. Their parents, threw out the first pitch to their sons to close out the ceremony. The Dragons, picked up their 26th win of the season with a 5-0 shut out of the Indians.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Tee Knight, worked around a 1-out walk as he got some help from his defense as Connor Shouse picked up a ball that dropped in the outfield and threw a strike to Senior Evan Giddens who tagged out the runner for the 2nd out. Knight, picked up his 1st strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse, Trace Ledbetter, and Dawson Holland all reached on consecutive walks to load the bases.

Senior Harlan Will, drove in Shouse with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 1-0. After a single from Tyler Payne to load the bases again, Trey Payne brought in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 2-0. James Tilley, drove in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the second.

In the top of the second, Knight, worked around a lead off single as he got back to back pop ups an his 2nd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Senior Colby Brooks led off with an infield single. Brooks, advanced to 3rd on a 1-out single by Ledbetter. The Dragons, then pulled off a double steal as Ledbetter stopped halfway to 2nd which allowed Brooks to come in and score to make it 4-0 going to the third.

In the top of the third, after getting a fly out for the 1st out of the frame, Knight would be relieved by Tate Hales. Hales, worked around a 1-out walk to get a fly out and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Tyler Payne, reached on a 1-out single. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner Davin Abernathy would be throw out at 2nd.

The Indians starter, Andrew Skvarka, got out of the bottom of the third with another ground out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Hales would be relieved by Cason Cannon. Cannon, had an impressive outing as he picked up 2 strikeouts and a fly out on 8 pitches to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Giddens, led off with a single. He would advance to 3rd on the play after a 2-base error. Shouse, brought in Giddens with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, Cannon, continued his fantastic outing as he picked up two more strikeouts and a ground out to short in a clean fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, who came in for Tyler Payne, reached on a 2-out single. Hammontree, would advance to 3rd after Trey Payne reached on an error. They would be left stranded and the game would go to the sixth, with the Dragons still leading, 5-0.

In the top of the sixth, JP Nunn came on in relief of Cannon. The Indians, had their first big threat of the game as they loaded the bases with nobody out. Nunn, got out of the jam with back to back strikeouts and a pop up to 1st to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, Giddens, again led off with a single. After Shouse reached with a 1-out single, Christian Starks, who came on for Holland in the fifth, got on with a 2-out walk to load the bases.

The Indians, were able to get out of their own bases loaded jam to send it to the top of the seventh with the Dragons ahead, 5-0.

Nunn, came back out for the top of the seventh to close things out. Nunn did just that as he had a clean 1-2-3 inning with 2 strikeouts and a ground out to short as the Dragons picked up the win, 5-0.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-2 with a single, a walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1 walk

Harlan Will: 1 RBI

Tyler Payne: 2-2 with 2 singles

Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a single

Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI

James Tilley: 1 RBI

Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single and 1 run scored

Tee Knight: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 40 pitches

Tate Hales: .2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 19 pitches

Cason Cannon: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, on 25 pitches

JP Nunn: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 HBP, 4 K, on 27 pitches

The Dragons, finish the regular season at 26-4 overall and 7-AAA region champions. Next up for the Dragons, a first round best of 3 series with the Hart County Bulldogs in the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament. The Bulldogs, are the #4 seed out of region 8. The best of 3 series begins on Monday, April 24th with a doubleheader at Dunn Field. First pitch for game 1 is set for 5:00 pm.

Dragons defeat Shiloh in non-region action

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 19, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Snellvelle, Ga — What a warm day for baseball it was on Wednesday, April 19th as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Snellville to take on the Shiloh Generals in non-region action. The Generals, are out of region 8 in the 6A classification. The bats for the Dragons, were just as hot as the weather as they scored 10 runs in the 4th in route to a 13-2 win in 5 innings.

In the top of the first, Trace Ledbetter reached by drawing a 1-out walk. He would be left stranded as Generals starter Rodney Mudd, got a fly out and a ground out to go along with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter Trey Payne, worked around DuShawn Andrews reaching on a dropped 3rd strike, and Nicholas Johnson getting hit by a pitch with 1-out, as he picked up his 1st strikeout and a ground out.

Going to the top of the second, the Dragons and Generals were tied up at 0.

In the top of the second, Dawson Holland led off with a single. He then advanced to 2nd on an error. Freshman Kam Jenkins, drove him in with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a 2-out single by Senior Young Harris commit Evan Giddens reached with a single, Colby Brooks would bring Jenkins in on the fielder’s choice to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the second.

In the bottom of the second, Anthony Vu led off with a single. Vu, would advance to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt from Malcolm Robinson. David Johnson, drove in Vu with an RBI double to cut the Dragons lead down to 2-1. Jaden Mercedes, would move Johnson over to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt. Johnson, would come in to score on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2 going to the top of the third.

In the top of the third, the Dragons tried to get a little 2-out rally going as Holland would draw a full count walk, and Jenkins would get hit with a pitch on a 3-0 count. Mudd, got a pop up to 2nd for the third out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Trey Payne, worked around a lead off single by Andrews as he picked up 2 strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the fourth inning still tied at 2.

In the top of the fourth, the Dragons, broke the game open as they plated 10 runs on 6 hits, 3 walks, a balk, and a passed ball to lead it 12-2 going to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Prep Baseball Georgia Player of the Week James Tilley, came on in relief of Trey Payne and picked up a 1-2-3 inning with a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop up to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 12-2.

In the top of the fifth, Holland and Tilley both reached on 1-out walks. Giddens, drove in Holland with an RBI single to make it 13-2 Dragons going to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, came on in relief of Tilley. Shouse, worked around a 1-out hit batter as he struck out 2 and induced a ground out as the Dragons defeat the Generals, 13-2 in 5 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 2-4 with a single, a double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored & 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K on 13 pitches

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored

Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored & 3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K on 40 pitches

Harlan Will: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1 walk and 1 run scored

James Tilley: 1 walk & 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 7 pitches

Evan Giddens: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 HBP, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Colby Brooks: 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

The Dragons, will be back home on Friday, April 21st as they will host the Tallulah Falls Indians at Dunn Field for Senior Night. It will be the final game of the 2023 regular season. The first pitch is set for 5:30 pm.

Christian Starks Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Harlan Will James Tilley Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Shiloh Generals Sports Tallulah Falls Indians Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons pick up series win against Indians

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 15, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Dahlonega, Ga — The weather was touch and go, but the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin County Indians got the series finale in on Friday, April 14th. After the Indians took game 1 on Tuesday, the Dragons came back on Thursday to even up the series and to capture the 7-AAA region championship. In a game dominated by pitching, the Dragons got another great start from Freshman A.J. Rice as they won game 3, 2-1.

In the top of the first, Trey Payne, reached on a full count walk with 2-outs. Indians starter Alejandro Narvaez, got a fly out and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Narvaez led off with a double. After a strikeout by Dragons starter A.J. Rice, Narvaez advanced to 3rd on a fly out to left. Narvaez, would be left stranded at 3rd as Rice picked up his 2nd K to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.

In the top of the second, Dawson Holland led off with a single. Holland, would advance all the way to 3rd as Kam Jenkins laid down a bunt and Narvaez overthrew 1st and allowed Jenkins to advance to 2nd. James Tilley, kept the line moving as he drove in Holland with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Senior Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, brought in courtesy runner Tee Knight with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 Dragons.

Colby Brooks, reached on a fielder’s choice as Tilley would be out at 2nd for the second out. Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, kept the inning alive with a double. Narvaez, would get out of the inning with just the 2 runs as they’d go to the bottom of the 2nd with the Dragons leading, 2-0. In the bottom of the second, the Indians loaded the bases with no one out after a lead off reach on error, a walk, and a hit by pitch.

The first out of the inning came when Rice got Dakota Bennett to ground into a fielder’s choice and Hayden Gilbert was thrown out at home. Rice, with the bases still loaded, picked up his 3rd and 4th strikeout to end the bottom of the 2nd and keep the Indians scoreless. Going to the top of the third, the Dragons led, 2-0.

In the top of the third, Tyler Payne, reached on a 1-out single. Holland, reached with a walk on 4 straight pitches. Jenkins, loaded the bases with a 1-out single. Narvaez, got Tilley to fly out to shallow right field for the 2nd out. A ground out to short ended the top of the third and the Dragons threat. In the bottom of the third, Adian Rogers, reached on a 2-out bunt single. He would be thrown out by Jenkins trying to steal 2nd to end the third.

Going to the fourth, the Dragons still maintained a 2-0 lead over the Indians.

In the top of the fourth, the Dragons got a 2-out single by Trace Ledbetter, but he would be left stranded as Narvaez got a line out to center for the final out of the top half of the fourth. In the bottom half of the fourth, Gilbert led off with a double. The Indians, would cut the Dragons lead in half as Mason Hester drove in Gilbert with an RBI double to make it 2-1.

Much like he’s done all season, Rice kept his cool and got back to back strikeouts to strand Hester and keep the Dragons ahead going to the fifth, 2-1.

In the top of the fifth, Narvaez picked up his first strikeout of the game and his first 1-2-3 inning of the game to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, Narvaez, led off with a single. The Dragons, then turned a double play as Cooper Scott lined it to Giddens at 3rd and Giddens would toss it over to Ledbetter at 1st to get Narvaez. Rice, then got a fly out to right for the 3rd out to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading Lumpkin, 2-1.

In the top of the sixth, Narvaez, going over 100 pitches on the night, picked up his second straight 1-2-3 inning with his 2nd strikeout, a ground out, and a line out. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, struck out the side for the 2nd time in the game to give him 10 on the night. Going to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, Scott, came on in relief of Narvaez and picked up where he left off as Scott got a pop up, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the seventh, Junior Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, came on in relief of Rice to try to pick up the save. Nunn, got a quick welcome to the game as Hester lined one right at him. Nunn, was able to catch the line drive for the first out.

Nunn, would go on to have a clean inning as he picked up a strikeout, and then a fly out to center as the birthday boy picked up the save and the Dragons got the win, 2-1.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a double

Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single

Trey Payne: 1 walk

Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single

Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single

Tee Knight: 1 run scored

James Tilley: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI

Evan Giddens: 1 sacrifice fly

A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K on 91 pitches

JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 8 pitches

The Dragons, finish up region play having won every series and with a record of 16-2. Overall their record is 24-4 on the season. Pickens, will finish up the regular season with a pair of non-region games. First up, a date with the Shiloh Generals on the road on Wednesday, April 19th. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.

A.J. Rice Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins Lumpkin County Indians Baseball PHS Baseball Shiloh Generals Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons capture first Region Championship

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 14, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — While the weather outside at times looked uncertain, it held off enough so that the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin County Indians could get in game 2 of their 3-game 7-AAA series on Thursday, April 13th. Coming into the game, the Indians were up 1-0 in the series after winning 4-0 in Dahlonega on Tuesday. The Dragons, needing just one more win to secure a region championship, got it after James Tilley threw a complete game no hitter in a 2-0 victory.

In the top of the first, the Indians got their lead off man on as Harper Davenport reached on an error. Davenport, would be thrown out at 2nd as Narvaez reached on a fielder’s chioce. Dragons starter James Tilley, picked up his first K of the night for the second out. Catcher Kam Jenkins, would then throw out Narvaez trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, Junior Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off by reaching on a first pitch single to left field. Shouse would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a pop up for the first out, the Indians picked up a double play to get out of the first inning as they got another pop up to 2nd and threw out Shouse who over-slid 3rd base trying to tag from 2nd. Going to the second, it was tied at 0.

In the top of the second, Tilley, sat the Indians down in order with his 2nd strikeout, and two ground outs. In the bottom of the second, Dawson Holland reached after drawing a full count walk. Jenkins followed with a single to left center to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A.J. Rice, who was looking to bunt the runners over, reached after there was miscommunication between the Indians defense and there was no one covering 1st.

Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, brought in Holland and the Dragons took a 1-0 lead. Colby Brooks, kept the inning going as he reached on a fielder’s choice. Indians starter Adian Rogers, got a fly out to center to get out of the bases loaded jam and keep the deficit to just 1-0 going to the top of the third.

In the top of the third, Tilley, got the first two outs of the frame with his 3rd strikeout and a grounder to 1st. After Tyler Boggs drew a 2-out walk, Davenport would line the next pitch to center where Brooks made a diving catch for the third out of the top half of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Trace Ledbetter, led off by getting hit with a pitch. The Indians, got another double play with a line out to Rogers and pitch runner Sam Dart was throw out at 1st.

Rogers, would then get designated hitter Tyler Payne to ground out to short to end the third and send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 1-0.

In the top of the fourth, Cooper Scott, would reach after a dropped third strike. Peyton Wood, would reach on a fielder’s choice as he beat out the throw to 1st. Tilley, picked up his 5th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Rogers, got his first 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up a ground out, a fly out, and his first strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.

In the top of the fifth, Tilley kept rolling with a 1-2-3 frame as he picked up two fly outs and his 6th strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, Rogers, who was pitching just as well as Tilley, got three straight fly outs to send it to the sixth with Pickens still ahead of Lumpkin, 1-0.

In the top of the sixth, Tilley, picked up strikeout number 7 and 8 in-between a ground out to short to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Ledbetter led off with a double. Trey Payne, moved Ledbetter over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Brewton Parker College commit, Harlan Will, came on to hit for Tyler Payne and did his job as he brought in Ledbetter with the sacrifice fly RBI to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Tilley, finished off his masterpiece with a fly out to right, a ground out to 2nd, and his 9th strikeout to give the Dragons the 2-0 win and to secure their first region championship.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single

Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with a hit by pitch, a double, and 1 run scored

Trey Payne: 1 sacrifice bunt

Harlan Will: 1 sacrifice fly and 1 RBI

Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with a single

A.J. Rice: 1-2 with a single

Evan Giddens: 1 RBI

James Tilley: 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K on 101 pitches

7-AAA Standings:

Pickens: 23-4 (15-2) Region Champions

Wesleyan: 14-7 (11-3)

Lumpkin: 19-6 (10-4)

Dawson: 13-13 (8-7)

White County: 11-14 (6-9)

West Hall: 6-18 (2-12)

Gilmer: 6-19 (0-15)

The Dragons, will be back in Dahlonega on Friday, April 14th as they will finish off the 3-game series with the Lumpkin County Indians. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm weather permitting.

A.J. Rice Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Harlan Will James Tilley Kam Jenkins Lumpkin County Indians Baseball PHS Baseball Sports Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne

Rice throws complete game shutout as Dragons sweep Tigers

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 6, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — On another beautiful day for baseball, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Dawson Tigers to Dunn Field for the third and final game of their 7-AAA series on Thursday, April 6th. The Dragons, came into the game looking to sweep the series, while the Tigers came into the game looking to at least steal a game. The Dragons, got a masterful performance from Freshman A.J. Rice as he threw a 4-hit complete game shutout as Pickens picked up a 3-0 win.

In the top of the first, Rice started off the game with a strikeout. After a 1-out single by Sawyer Bearden, he would advance to 2nd after a ground out by Julian Horner. The Tigers, would leave Bearden stranded at 2nd after Rice picked up his 2nd K of the inning to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons got a 1-out double by Trace Ledbetter, and a 2-out walk by Tyler Payne.

Tigers starter Banks Hickman, got out of the first with a strikeout to send it to the second with the game still tied.

In the top of the second, Elijah Odom led off with a single. After Rice picked up his 3rd K of the game, Odom would be out at 2nd as Chase Adams reached on the fielder’s choice. Rice, got his 4th K to end the top of the second and keep the game scoreless. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley would reach on a 1-out single. He would then steal 2nd to put himself in scoring position. Colby Brooks, kept the inning going with a 2-out infield hit.

Hickman, was able to get out of the runners at 1st and 3rd jam with a ground out to send it to the third with the game still scoreless.

In the top of the third, Rice needed just 7 pitches to get out of the top half of the inning as he picked up 2 more strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Ledbetter, would reach after being hit by a pitch. Ezra Faber, would then come in to pitch run for Ledbetter. Tyler Payne, drew his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davin Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Payne.

Dawson Holland, drove in Faber with the RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. Abernathy, would advanced to 3rd on the double, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Rice picked up his 7th strikeout to begin the inning. After a 1-out double by Davis Glass, Rice induced a grounder to 3rd and picked up his 8th strikeout leaving Glass stranded at 3rd. In the bottom of the fourth, Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, led off with a single. He would then steal 2nd to advance to scoring position. Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, would advance Giddens to 3rd on a fly out to right.

Ledbetter, drove in Giddens with the RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, Rice continued his stellar night as he struck out the side giving him 11 punch outs on the night. In the bottom of the fifth, Bearden came on in relief of Hickman. Bearden, picked up 2 ground outs and a strikeout in a 1-2-3 inning to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 3-0.

In the top of the sixth, Rice had his 2nd straight 1-2-3 inning as he picked up his 12th K, and 2 fly outs to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Brooks reached with his 2nd hit of the night. He advanced to scoring position after stealing 2nd. Bearden, got out of the inning by getting a fly out. Going to the seventh, the Dragons still led the Tigers, 3-0.

After Rice picked up two quick outs to start the top of the seventh, Preston Bannister kept the game alive for the Tigers with a 2-out single. In a fitting way to end the game, Rice fielded a grounder right to him and he would flip it to Ledbetter for the third and final out. The Dragons, pick up the sweep with the 3-0 win.

Stats for the Dragons:

Trace Ledbetter: 2-2 with a double, a single, a hit by pitch, and 1 RBI

Tyler Payne: 2 walks

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a double and 1 RBI

James Tilley: 1-3 with a single and 1 stolen base

Evan Giddens: 1-3 with a single, 1 stolen base, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 stolen base

Ezra Faber: 1 run scored

Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored

7-AAA Region Standings:

Pickens: 22-3 (14-1)

Lumpkin: 18-5 (9-3)

Wesleyan: 12-7 (9-3)

Dawson: 12-11 (8-7)

White Co.: 8-14 (3-9)

West Hall: 6-16 (2-10)

Gilmer: 6-16 (0-12)

With the win, the Dragons have run their win streak up to 15 games in a row. Next week, the Dragons will play their final region series of the season as they take on the Lumpkin County Indians. Game 1 of the series, is set for Tuesday, April 11th. Game will be at Lumpkin. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Colby Brooks Davin Abernathy Dawson Holland Dawson Tigers Evan Giddens Ezra Faber James Tilley Lumpkin Indians PHS Baseball Sports Trace Ledbetter Tyler Payne

Dragons open series with big win against Dawson

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 5, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was another beautiful day for high school baseball as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Dawson Tigers to Dunn Field on Tuesday, March 4th for game 1 of 3 in 7-AAA. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were in 1st place in 7-AAA and had won 12 games in a row. For the Tigers, they came into the game in 3rd place in 7-AAA having taken 2 out of 3 from Lumpkin last week. The Dragons, got some great hitting and some clutch pitching down the stretch to take game 1, 5-3.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, sat the Tigers down in order with a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse led off with a double. Trace Ledbetter, followed that up with a single. Trey Payne, brought in Shouse with the RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons going to the second.

In the top of the second, Shouse got 2 quick outs with a pop up to 2nd and strikeout. The Tigers, got their first base runner of the game after being hit with a pitch. Shouse, got out of the top of the second on the very next pitch with a fly out to center. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley led off by drawing a walk. Christian Starks, then moved him over with a sacrifice bunt. Evan Giddens, drove in Tilley with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 2-0 Dragons.

Colby Brooks, kept the inning going by reaching on a bunt single. He would then find himself in scoring position after stealing 2nd base. Tiger starter Trey Harvey, got out of the second as he induced a grounder to 3rd for the final out. Going to the third, the Dragons led the Tigers, 2-0.

In the top of the third, the Tigers picked up their first hit of the game with a 1-out single. After Shouse struck out his 4th batter of the game, the Tigers got another base runner after a hit by pitch. Shouse, picked up his 5th K of the game as he ended up striking out the side in the top of the third. In the bottom half of the inning, Trey Payne reached with a 1-out single. He then made it all the way to 3rd after a throwing error on a pick off attempt.

Tyler Payne, then brought in Trey Payne with the RBI ground out to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the top of the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, the Tigers led off with back to back singles. The 6th strikeout from Shouse was the first out of the inning. A wild pitch brought the Tigers first run of the game to make it 3-1 Dragons. A sacrifice fly RBI to center brought in the Tigers 2nd run of the inning to make it 3-2. The Dragons, got out of the inning with a ground out. Going to the bottom of the fourth, it was now 3-2 Dragons.

In the bottom of the fourth, Tilley led off by reaching on an error. Starks, followed that up by reaching on a single on the very next pitch. Giddens, laid down a great sacrifice bunt to move them over to 2nd and 3rd. Harvey, then got Brooks to pop out for the 2nd out. The Tigers, then chose to intentionally walk Shouse to load the bases. The Tigers, got out of the jam with a grounder to 1st. Going to the fifth, it was still 3-2 Dragons.

In the top of the fifth, the lead off man for the Tigers reached on a single. Shouse, who was still on the mound, forced a grounder that went to shortstop A.J. Rice, who took it himself to 2nd and then fired to 1st base for the double play. Shouse, then got a fly out to right on the next pitch to send it to the bottom of the frame. Trey Payne, led off the bottom of the fifth with his 2nd single of the game. The Tigers, then got a double play of their own for the 1st and 2nd out.

Kam Jenkins, kept the inning alive for the Dragons with a 2-out single. Tilley, drew his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. The Tigers, got a grounder to 3rd for the third out of the frame. Going to the sixth, the Dragons were still holding on to a 3-2 lead.

In the top of the sixth, the Tigers had batters hit with back to back pitches to begin the inning. JP Nunn, then came on in relief of Shouse to try to keep the Dragons in the lead. Nunn, picked up a strikeout, then got a come backer and the out at 2nd for the second out, then a fly out to right for the 3rd out and to keep the lead intact for the Dragons. In the bottom of the sixth, Giddens, reached on a lead off full count walk.

Brooks, then moved Giddens over with a sacrifice bunt. Shouse, was then rung up on a pitch that looked to be outside for the 2nd out. Ledbetter, was then hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. Tee Knight, then came in to run for Ledbetter and he and Giddens advanced after a passed ball. Trey Payne, came up with a massive hit for the Dragons as he drove in both Giddens and Knight with the 2-RBI single to make it 5-2 going to the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers got their lead off man on with a single. After a long at bat, the Tigers picked up a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Tigers, followed those up with a single to load the bases with no outs. A grounder to 2nd led to a run scoring for Dawson making it 5-3. After Nunn picked up his 2nd K for the second out, the Tigers would again load the bases after a hit by pitch.

With the bases loaded, 2-outs, and his team up by 2 runs, Nunn locked in and picked up the 3rd and final out of the game with a strikeout on 3 pitches to preserve the 5-3 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored & 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 HBP, 6 K on 77 pitches

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, and 1 hit by pitch

Trey Payne: 3-4 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1 RBI

Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single

James Tilley: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-2 with a single and a sacrifice bunt

Evan Giddens: sacrifice fly, sacrifice bunt, 1 walk, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 1-2 with a single, and a sacrifice bunt

JP Nunn: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K on 30 pitches

Tee Knight: 1 run scored

The Dragons, will be back on the ball field on Wednesday, April 5th as they head to Dawsonville to take on the Dawson Tigers in game 2 of the series. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.

Christian Starks Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Tigers Evan Giddens James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons defeat Bobcats to push win streak to 10 games

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Ellijay, Ga — It was a nice but windy day on Tuesday, March 28th as the Pickens Dragons traveled the short distance up to Ellijay for game 1 of their 3-game region series against their 515 rival, the Gilmer Bobcats. Coming into the game, the Dragons were riding a 9 game win streak and were tied atop the 7-AAA Standings with Lumpkin. The Bobcats, came into the game looking to break a bad string of luck and to pick up their first region win. The Dragons, piled up 15 K’s as a team continued their winning ways with a 7-1 victory.

In the top of the first, the Dragons wasted no time getting on the board as Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, worked a full count and then sent a baseball over the left field wall to give Pickens the 1-0 lead. Harlan Will, reached on a 2-out walk, but the Bobcats starter Ethan McCollum, got out of the top half of the first only allowing the 1 run. In the bottom of the first, Austin Zabala led off by drawing a walk.

Shouse, the starter for the Dragons, settled down and got a grounder to 3rd base, and 2 strikeouts to send it to the top of the second with Pickens leading, 1-0.

In the top of the second, James Tilley reached after drawing a full count walk. Colby Brooks, then reached on a bunt single with 2-outs. Shouse, followed that up by drawing a walk to load the bases. McCollum, again was able to avoid the scoring threat and send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, the Bobcats, got a 1-out walk, and a 2-out walk. Shouse, was able to work around those pair of walks to send it to the third with the Dragons up, 1-0.

In the top of the third, Dawson Holland led off by reaching on an error. Will, followed up with a single. Holland, came in to score after a single by Trey Payne to make it 2-0. Kam Jenkins, reached after a dropped 3rd strike. Tilley, brought in pitch runner Ezra Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Shouse, had his cleanest inning of the game as he picked up 2 K’s and a grounder on 8 pitches.

Going to the top of the fourth, the Dragons now led the Bobcats, 3-0.

In the top of the fourth, Shouse led off by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. He then stole 2nd base to put himself in scoring position for Trace Ledbetter. Ledbetter, drove in Shouse with an RBI double to make it 4-0 Dragons. Holland, followed that up by reaching on an error. Tyler Payne, pitch hitting for Will, drove in Ledbetter with a grounder to make it 5-0. Holland, would come around to score as Jenkins reached on a 2-out single and Tilley drew a full count walk.

In the bottom of the fourth, Shouse picked up his 2nd consecutive 1-2-3 inning as he struck out the side on 11 pitches to send it to the top of the fifth with the Dragons leading the Bobcats, 6-0.

In the top of the fifth, Brooks led off with his 2nd hit of the game. Brooks, then advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. After the Bobcats got Shouse out on a fly out, they would get Brooks out in a rundown for the 2nd out. Hayden Berry, who came on in relief of McCollum, got a come backer for the 3rd and final out of the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Shouse, finished his outing off strong with 2 more K’s and a grounder to send it to the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, Haden West, who came on in relief of Berry, picked up the Bobcats first 1-2-3 inning as he got 2 grounders and a pop up to send it to the bottom of the inning with the Dragons leading 6-0. Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Shouse in the bottom of the sixth and he was impressive in his 1 inning of work. Cannon, picked up 2 K’s and a pop up to send it to the seventh, with Pickens leading Gilmer, 6-0.

In the top of the seventh, Christian Starks, pitch hitting for Tilley, reached on an error. Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for Evan Giddens, followed up with a single. Brooks, reached on a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. Shouse, now at shortstop, hit a deep fly ball into the outfield that would bring in Starks to make it 7-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Bobcats got a lead off walk. The Bobcats then got back to back 1-out walks to load the bases. Gilmer, picked up their first hit and their first run after a single to make it 7-1. JP Nunn, who came on in relief of Cannon, got back to back strikeouts to preserve the 7-1 win for the Dragons.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a solo home run, 2 walks, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored, & 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 11 K on 77 pitches

Trace Ledbetter: 1-5 with a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 2 runs scored

Harlan Will: 1-1 with a single and a walk

Ezra Faber: 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1 RBI

Trey Payne: 1-4 with a single

Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with a single

James Tilley: 2 walks, 1 RBI

Christian Starks: 1 run scored

Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with a single

Colby Brooks: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 walk

Cason Cannon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 13 pitches

JP Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K on 34 pitches

The Dragons, got a little bit of help from the Dawson Tigers as they defeated the Lumpkin Indians in the first game of their series. With that Lumpkin loss, the Dragons are now in sole possession of 1st place in 7-AAA. Pickens, will be back home on Thursday, March 30th as they will host the Gilmer Bobcats for game 2 of their 3-game series. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.

Cason Cannon Christian Starks Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Ezra Faber Gilmer Bobcats Harlan Will James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne

Dragons stay atop region standings after sweep of Spartans

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 25, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was another gorgeous day in Jasper, Ga on Friday, March 24th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the West Hall Spartans for the 3rd and final game of their 7-AAA series. The Dragons, came in tied for first with Lumpkin and on an 8-game win streak. The Spartans, looked to play spoiler and get the last game of the series. The bats stayed hot for the Dragons and AJ Rice, Tate Hales, and JP Nunn shut down the Spartans for a 10-0 win in 6 innings.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter AJ Rice, worked around a 2-out double as he picked up a grounder to 3rd, and 2 K’s to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse led off with a single. Trace Ledbetter and Dawson Holland then followed with back to back walks. Tyler Payne, drove in both Shouse and Ledbetter to make it 2-0.

Trey Payne, then brought in Holland with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. James Tilley and Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, reached base on back to back walks. Colby Brooks, drove in Trey Payne with an infield single RBI to make it 4-0. Shouse, who led off the inning, kept it going with a 2-RBI double bringing in Tilley and Giddens to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the second.

After giving up a bloop single to begin the top of the second, Rice got some help from Shouse as he made a diving stop on a grounder to start a 6-3 double play. Rice, ended the top of the second with his 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom the inning. In the bottom of the second, the Dragons got a 2-out walk from Trey Payne, but that would be all as they headed to the third, with the Dragons leading the Spartans, 6-0.

In the top of the third, Rice picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout for the first 2 outs of the inning. After giving up a 2-out single, catcher Kam Jenkins, made a great toss to Shouse who applied the tag to the runner attempting to steal 2nd for the final out of the top half of the third. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons got a 2-out walk from Brooks, but that was it. Going to the fourth, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 6-0.

The top of the fourth was the last inning for Rice. He would pick up his 6th and 7th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless fourth to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons got back to back 2-out hits from Harlan Will, and Trey Payne. They would be left stranded at 2nd and 3rd and they’d head to the fifth with Pickens leading West Hall, 6-0.

Tate Hales, came on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth and looked impressive in his one inning of work. Hales, sat down the Spartans in order on just 7 pitches as he picked up a strikeout, and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Tilley led off by being hit with a pitch. Brooks, laid a bunt down the 1st base line and was able to avoid two tags to reach on the single.

Shouse, drove in Tilley on the fielder’s choice to make it 7-0. Shouse, would eventually come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 8-0 Dragons going to the sixth inning.

Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, cam on in relief of Hales for the top of the sixth. After the lead off for the Spartans led off by getting hit with a pitch, Nunn settled in and struck out the side in his one inning of work. In the bottom of the sixth, Will and Trey Payne both reached by getting hit with pitches. Jenkins, then followed that up by drawing a walk to load the bases with nobody out.

Giddens, drove in Davin Abernathy on the sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0 Dragons. The game came to an end after Brooks hit a single to right field that brought in Payne to give the Dragons a 10-0 win in 6 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 2-4 with a single, a double, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 run scored

Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single and 2 RBI

Harlan Will: 1-1 with a single and a hit by pitch

Trey Payne: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Kam Jenkins: 1 walk

James Tilley: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored

Evan Giddens: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 walk, and 2 RBI

Davin Abernathy: 1 run scored

A.J. Rice: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K on 60 pitches

Tate Hales: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 7 pitches

JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 HBP, 3 K on 20 pitches

7-AAA Baseball Standings:

Pickens: 16-3 (8-1)

Lumpkin: 15-2 (8-1)

Dawson: 10-7 (6-3)

Wesleyan: 6-6 (3-3)

White County: 6-10 (1-5)

West Hall: 3-13 (1-8)

Gilmer: 6-10 (0-6)

The Dragons, will continue 7-AAA play next week as they will begin a 3-game series with their 515 rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats, on Tuesday, March 28th in Ellijay. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.

A.J. Rice Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Davin Abernathy Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Gilmer Bobcats Harlan Will James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sports Tate Hales Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne West Hall Spartans

Dragons stay hot with 8th straight win

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 23, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Oakwood, Ga — It finally felt like Spring time weather on Thursday, March 23rd as the Pickens Dragons made the trip over to Oakwood, Ga to take on the West Hall Spartans in game 2 of their 3-game series. After winning game 1 on Tuesday, 12-2, the Dragons looked to keep up their winning ways and pick up their 3rd straight region series win. Hot bats and great pitching by James Tilley and Tee Knight, led to the Dragons taking game 2, 11-0 in 5 innings.

In the top of the first, Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, led off with a single. He would be thrown out at 2nd as Trace Ledbetter reached on a fielder’s choice. After a double by Dawson Holland, he and Ledbetter would come in to score after Harlan Will reached on an error to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the Spartans led off with back to back singles.

Dragons starter James Tilley, collected himself and proceeded to strike out the side to send it to the second inning with the Dragons on top, 2-0.

In the top of the second, AJ Rice led off with a single. After advancing to 2nd, Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, drove in Rice to make it 3-0 Dragons. The Spartans, were able to get out of the top of the second with just the 1 run given up. In the bottom of the frame, Tilley picked up his 4th and 5th K of the game in between a fly out to Holland. Going to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-0.

In the top of the third, Holland led off with a single. Will, followed that up by drawing a 4-pitch walk. Trey Payne, then reached on an error. A 1-out RBI single from Rice brought in Holland to make it 4-0 Dragons. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, kept rolling as he picked up his 6th and 7th strikeout in between a grounder to Giddens. Going to the fourth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 4-0.

In the top of the fourth, Colby Brooks led off by reaching on an error. Ledbetter, was than hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Holland, would drive in Brooks to make it 5-0. Tyler Payne, who came on to pitch hit for Will, knocked in Ledbetter with the RBI single to make it 6-0. A single from Trey Payne, brought in Holland to make it 7-0 Dragons going to the bottom of the fourth.

The bottom of the fourth was Tilley’s last inning of work. He struck out the side during the half inning to give him 10 on the night. Going to the top of the fifth, Pickens led West Hall, 7-0.

In the top of the fifth, Giddens led off with a double. Brooks, followed with a single. Shouse, then followed that up with a single. Ledbetter, picked up his first hit of the game as the Dragons started the fifth by scoring 2 runs on 4 straight hits. Tyler Payne and Bradley Prince, hit back to back 1-out singles as both Shouse and Ledbetter would score. Going to the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 11-0.

Tee Knight, came on in relief of Tilley in the bottom of the fifth. After the lead off man reached on a walk, Knight would force a double play to get 2 quick outs. The Spartans, did not go quietly as the next two batters reached and were standing on 2nd and 3rd. Knight, got out of the trouble with no damage done as the Dragons took game 2, 11-0 in 5 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 3 runs scored

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

Harlan Will: 1 walk

Tyler Payne: 2-2 with 2 singles and 1 RBI

Trey Payne 1-3 with a single

Bradley Prince: 1-1 with a single and 1 RBI

AJ Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Evan Giddens: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 1-3 with 1 single and 2 runs scored

James Tilley: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K on 58 pitches

The Dragons, win their third straight 7-AAA series as they move to 15-3 overall and 7-1 in region play. They stay atop the region standings along side Lumpkin, who is 14-2 overall and 7-1 in region play as well. The Dragons, will wrap up their series with the West Hall Spartans on Friday, March 24th, in Jasper. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.

AJ Rice Bradley Prince Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Harlan Will James Tilley PHS Baseball Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne West Hall Spartans

Dragons run rule Spartans to open up series

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 22, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was another beautiful day in Jasper, Ga as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Spartans of West Hall in game 1 of a 3-game set in 7-AAA. Coming into the game, the Dragons were in a 3-way tie for first place in the region standings with Dawson and Lumpkin. The Spartans, came into the game in a 3-way tie for fourth in the region standings with Wesleyan and White County. The Dragons, kept up their winning ways as they were able to pull out a 12-2 win in 6 innings.

In the top of the first, the Spartans were able to bring their lead off man home to score after a single, a walk, a bunt, a hit by pitch, and a sacrifice fly to put the Spartans up 1-0 going to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Trace Ledbetter reached on a 1-out error. Dawson Holland, followed that by reaching on a single. Tyler Payne, would bring in Ledbetter with a grounder to 3rd to tie the game up at 1 going to the second.

In the top of the second, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, picked up his 2nd and 3rd strikeout and a ground out in an 8- pitch inning. In the bottom of the second, the Dragons, opened things up a bit as they scored 6 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and an error to make it 7-1 going to the third.

In the top of the third, the Spartans used 2 walks, a hit by pitch, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly to plate a run and cut the Dragons lead down to 7-2. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons got a 2-out walk by Colby Brooks, but that would be all as they went to the fourth, Pickens leading West Hall, 7-2.

Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fourth. In his first of two innings of work, Cannon sat down the Spartans in order to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, the Dragons would go down in order as the Spartans got two ground outs and a strikeout to send it to the top of the fifth with the Dragons still leading, 7-2.

In the top of the fifth, Cannon, worked around a 1-out hit by pitch, and a 2-out single. The top half of the inning came to an end when the Spartans tried a double steal. Catcher Kam Jenkins, made a great throw over to Shouse at 2nd to get the runner for the 3rd out. In the bottom of the fifth, Trey Payne got things going with a lead off walk. Jenkins and James Tilley followed with back to back singles.

Evan Giddens, hit a shot down the 3rd base line that would score Payne and courtesy runner Tee Knight. After a wide throw on an attempt to get Tilley at 3rd, he would also come in to score to make it 10-2 Dragons going to the top of the sixth.

In the top of the sixth inning, JP Nunn came on in relief of Cannon. Nunn, worked around a little bit of trouble during the inning, but was able to keep runs off the board and send it the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the sixth, Holland led off with his 3rd hit of the game. Harlan Will, then reached after drawing a walk. Trey Payne, then hit a single to right field scoring Holland. A misplay by the right fielder led to the pitch runner, Knight coming in to score.

The Dragons, took game 1 of the 3 game series by a score of 12-2.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single

Harlan Will: 1 walk

Trey Payne: 1-2 with a single, a walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles

James Tilley: 1-2 with a single, a walk, and 2 runs scored

Evan Giddens: 1-2 with a single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Tee Knight: 3 runs scored

These two teams will be back in action on Thursday, March 23rd for game 2 as the series shifts down to Oakwood. The Dragons, will look to win their 3rd straight region series and keep pace with Dawson and Lumpkin. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.

Cason Cannon Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Harlan Will James Tilley JP Nunn Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne West Hall Spartans

Dragons sweep home and home series with Rebels

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 21, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a cold, but beautiful day for baseball as the Pickens Dragons began a busy week by hosting the Fannin County Rebels on Monday, March 20th. This game, was the 2nd game of a home and home series. Prior to the game, Dragons all-time home run leader Jake King, added to his record with a big shot. Offensively, the Dragons got a big scoring outburst to pick up the 12-2 victory in 6 innings for their 6th straight win.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter Trey Payne, sat the Rebels down in order as he got a pop up to 2nd, a fly out to left field, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Ga Tech baseball commit Connor Shouse, led off with a single. He’d then take 2nd after a passed ball. After a single by Trace Ledbetter, Shouse would score on the errant throw and Ledbetter would make it all the way to 3rd on the throw as the Dragons took a 1-0 lead.

Dawson Holland, then drove in Ledbetter with the RBI to make it 2-0. Harlan Will, reached on a 2-out single, then Trey Payne followed by reaching on an error. They would then reach 2nd and 3rd after a wild pitch. The Rebels, were able to get out of the long inning with just the 2 runs allowed to send it to the top of the second.

In the top of the second, Trey Payne got out of the top half of the inning with 13 pitches to bring the Dragons bats back up. In the bottom of the second, James Tilley, led off with a full count walk. Young Harris baseball commit Evan Giddens, followed that up with a single. A fly out by Shouse moved Tilley and Giddens over to 2nd and 3rd. Ledbetter, brought in Tilley with an RBI ground out to make it 3-0.

Giddens, who moved over to 3rd, scored on an RBI single by Holland to make it 4-0. Tyler Payne, kept the inning going by reaching on an error. The Rebels, got out of the inning with a grounder to 3rd and as they headed to the third, the Dragons led the Rebels, 4-0.

Trey Payne, continued building on his good start to the game as he would strike out the side in the top half of the third. In the bottom of the third, freshman Christian Starks reached on a 1-out single. Giddens, would bring him in on a 2-out RBI single to make it 5-0. Shouse, kept the inning going with a double to move Giddens to 3rd. A fly out ended the inning and they’d go to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 5-0.

In the top of the fourth, the Rebels broke through. Fannin, plated a run on 3 hits and a walk to cut the Dragons lead down to 5-1. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons got a 1-out single from Tyler Payne, a walk from Will, and an RBI single from Trey Payne that scored courtesy runner Tee Knight. Starks, was then hit by a pitch to reach 1st. Tilley, knocked in Will and Trey Payne with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-0 Dragons.

Giddens, brought in Starks with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0. Shouse, then sent one over the center field wall for the 2-run home run to make it 11-1 going to the fifth inning.

In the top of the fifth, the Rebels got a run on 3 hits and a hit by pitch to make it 11-2. In the bottom of the fifth, Holland led off with a walk. The Rebels, were able to get a double play and a fly out to send it to the sixth inning with the Dragons now leading, 11-2.

In the top of the sixth, Tee Knight came on in relief of Tate Hales and pitched really well in his one inning of work. Knight, needed just 7 pitches to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Starks reached on a 1-out error. Bradley Prince, who pitched hit for Tilley, followed by reaching on a walk. Giddens, then loaded the bases with a single. Shouse, ended the game with a single that brought in Starks to give the Dragons the 12-2 win in 6 innings.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 4-5 with 2 singles, a double, a home run, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored

Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 2 RBI

Tyler Payne: 1-4 with a single

Harlan Will: 1-3 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored

Trey Payne: 1-4 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-3 with a single, 1 hit by pitch, & 3 runs scored

James Tilley: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, & 2 runs scored

Evan Giddens: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 sacrifice fly, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored

Tee Knight: 1 run scored

Bradley Prince: 1 walk

The Dragons, will be right back on the turf diamond this afternoon as they begin their 3rd 7-AAA series as they host the West Hall Spartans at Dunn Field for game 1 of the 3-game set. The Dragons, will look to keep pace with Lumpkin and Dawson and stay atop the region standings. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.

Bradley Prince Christian Starks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Fannin Rebels Baseball Harlan Will James Tilley PHS Baseball Sports Tee Knight Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne West Hall Spartans

Dragons take series against White County

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 17, 2023 , by RJ Casey

Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day for high school baseball as the Pickens Dragons hosted the White County Warriors in game 2 of their 3-game region series on Thursday, March 16th. After taking game 1 of the series, 4-3 on Tuesday, March 14th, the Dragons looked to get the series win in front of their home fans. Behind a complete game from James Tilley, and a great showing by the offense, the Dragons picked up a 7-2 win.

In the top of the first, Dragons starter James Tilley set the Warriors down in order with a strikeout and 2 ground outs to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Connor Shouse led off by reaching on a double. After Shouse stole 3rd, Trey Payne brought in Shouse with an RBI single. Later on in the inning, Harlan Will would reach with a single, Dawson Holland would draw a walk, and Kam Jenkins would reach on a single to load the bases.

The Warriors, were able to get out of the bases loaded jam with a strikeout to send it to the second with the Dragons leading, 1-0.

In the top of the second, the lead off man for the Warriors got on after getting hit with a pitch. Tilley, then got a pop up, catcher Kam Jenkins, then made a great throw to Shouse at 2nd to throw out the runner trying to steal. Tilley, picked up his 2nd K of the game to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the second, new Young Harris College commit Evan Giddens, led off by drawing a full count walk. Colby Brooks, followed that up with a single.

Shouse, brought in Giddens with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 2-0 Dragons. After a double by Trace Ledbetter, Trey Payne drove in both Brooks and Ledbetter with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Will, reached after being hit with a pitch. Holland, then reached on an error that would score Trey Payne to make it 5-0 Dragons going to the top of the third.

In the top of the third, Tilley snagged a come backer and took it to 1st himself for the first out. Tilley, then picked up his 3rd strikeout for the 2nd out. The top of the third came to an end as Tilley got another come backer. This one he would toss to Ledbetter to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons got a 1-out single from Brooks, who then took 2nd after a steal attempt. The Warriors, got out of the third with back to back strikeouts. Going to the fourth, Pickens led White County, 5-0.

In the top of the fourth, the Warriors picked up their first hit of the game with a lead off single. A great play by 3rd baseman AJ Rice, nearly led to a double play, but the Dragons settled for getting the lead runner. Tilley, then picked up his 4th and 5th K of the game to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fourth, The Dragons, got a lead off walk by Trey Payne, a single by Tyler Payne, and a full count walk by Holland to load the bases with nobody out.

Jenkins, drove in Trey Payne after a come backer to the pitcher to make it 6-0. Sam Hammontree, pitch hitting for Rice, brought in Tyler Payne on a sacrifice RBI to make it 7-0 Dragons going to the fifth.

In the top of the fifth, after Tilley recorded his 6th K, the Warriors got a 1-out single. After a nice diving stop by Ledbetter at 1st, his throw would hit the runner as he tried to go to 2nd for the out. The Warriors, got another hit to load the bases with 1-out. A wild pitch brought in the Warriors first run to make it 7-1. A single then drove in the 2nd run to make it 7-2. A 3rd run would try to come in after a passed ball, but Jenkins fired it to Tilley for the tag at the plate.

After Tilley issued his first walk of the game, he settled down and picked up his 7th K of the game to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons would go down in order and they’d go to the sixth with the Dragons now leading, 7-2.

In the top of the sixth, the Ga Tech commit, Shouse, made an outstanding diving play and throw to 1st to get the runner for the first out. Tilley, polished off the inning with his 8th and 9th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Payne reached on an error with 1-out. Jenkins kept the inning alive with a 2-out single. The Warriors, got a fly out to send it to the seventh with the Dragons up, 7-2.

In the top of the seventh, Tilley put a bow on his incredible start with a pop out to Giddens at 2nd, and his 10th and 11th strikeout to give the Dragons the 7-2 win. With the victory, the Dragons take the series against the Warriors.

Stats for the Dragons:

Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a double, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI

Trace Ledbetter: 1-4 with a double and 1 run scored

Trey Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored

Harlan Will: 1-1 with a single and a hit by pitch

Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single and 1 run scored

Dawson Holland: 2 walks

Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 RBI

Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI

Evan Giddens: 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Colby Brooks: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 run scored

James Tilley: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 11 K, on 92 pitches

Colby Brooks Connor Shouse Dawson Holland Evan Giddens Harlan Will James Tilley Kam Jenkins PHS Baseball Sam Hammontree Sports Trace Ledbetter Trey Payne Tyler Payne White County Warriors

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