Diamond Dragons advance to Elite Eight

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, April 30th, the Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field as they took on the Adairsville Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, advanced after sweeping Cairo last week. The Tigers, advanced after sweeping Douglass-Atlanta. The Dragons, behind a pair of complete game shut outs by A.J. Rice and Everett Grubbs, swept the doubleheader to advance to the Elite Eight.

 

Game One:

Auburn commit A.J. Rice, took the mound for the Dragons in game one. Rice, would pick up a line out, and a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Tigers starter K. Coker, would pick up a pair of ground outs, and a strikeout in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.

 

In the top of the second, Rice, would force a pair of pop outs and pick up his third strikeout. Coker, would also pick up a pair of pop outs and a strikeout in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the third, the game was still scoreless.

 

In the top of the third, Rice, would strikeout the side to send the bats back up to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis Jr, would become the first base runner of the game as he would draw a four pitch walk with 2-out. Davis Jr, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, it was still tied at 0.

 

In the top of the fourth, Rice, would sit the Tigers down in order after a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would pick up the first hit of the game with a 2-out single. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a line out. Heading to the fifth, we were still scoreless.

 

In the top of the fifth, Rice, would pick up a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, would strike. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. His pitch runner, Tanner Bail, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After Davis Jr drew his second walk of the game, Robert Turner, would reach on a bloop single that fell in shallow center field to load the bases with 1-out.

Bail, would be forced out at home for the second out as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. Kam Jenkins, would break the tie with a 2-RBI single to make it 2-0. Allen, would come in to score after Rice reached on an error to make it 3-0. Rice, would advance to 2nd and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play. T. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases.

A single by Everett Grubbs, would drive in courtesy runners Kirchoff and Cooper Helmuth to make it 5-0 Dragons. A 2-RBI single by Christian Starks, would bring in the Grubbs brothers to make it 7-0 heading to the sixth.

 

In the top of the sixth, Rice, still looked sharp after that long bottom of the fifth as he would strikeout the side. In the bottom of the sixth, Turner, would reach with a 1-out single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Turner, would then take 3rd on a wild pitch. After Allen drew a walk, Jenkins, would drive in Turner with an RBI sacrifice fly. Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Rice, would reach with a 2-out single.

The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a line out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Tigers, 8-0.

 

In the top of the seventh, Rice, would pick up a pop out for the first out. B. Varner, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Tigers with a 1-out single. Rice, having lost the perfect game bid, would settle down and pick up a pop out and a strikeout to seal the win as the Dragons took game one, 8-0.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored

Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 1 run scored

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

A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 7 IP, o H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 13 K on 100 pitches

Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 RBI

Dawson Lowit: 1 walk

Matthew Davis Jr: 2 walks and 1 run scored

Drew Dunlap: 1-1 with 1 single

Tanner Bail: 1 steal and 1 run scored

Cooper Helmuth: 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

 

Game Two:

For the second game, the Dragons would be the visitors and the Tigers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Allen, would advance to 2nd after a ground out. An RBI single by A.J. Rice, would drive in Allen to make it 1-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a line out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Tigers, 1-0.

 

In the top of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would reach on an error to lead things off. E. Grubbs, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as T. Grubbs would be forced out at 2nd. After a line out, Dawson Lowit, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Starter H. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a pop out. E. Grubbs, would pick up three ground outs in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, it was still 1-0 Dragons.

 

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, H. Miller, would reach with a lead off single. B. Slocumb, would then be called out due to pine tar being too high on his bat. That would erase a fielder’s choice, and allow Miller to return to 1st. After a line out for the second out, Miller, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were still in front, 1-0.

 

Rice, would lead off the top of the fourth with a single. Rice, would get caught trying to steal 2nd. After a strikeout for the second out, Parr, would force a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, B. Varner, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, C. Sanford, would be caught trying to steal 2nd. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons up, 1-0.

 

In the top of the fifth, the Dragons would go down 1-2-3 as Parr picked up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fifth, W. Barfield, would reach with a lead off bloop single. The Dragons, would then turn a 4-6-3 double. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons, were still in front, 1-0.

 

In the top of the sixth, Kam Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive for the Dragons. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 2-0. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth, E. Grubbs, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 2-0.

 

In the top of the seventh, Christian Starks, would reach on a 1-out double. Starks, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Lowit, would then draw a walk. Lowit, would then intentionally get caught in a rundown to allow Starks to steal home and make it 3-0. Lowit, would end up being safe at 2nd on the play. After a strikeout, Robert Turner, would drive in pitch runner Tanner Bail with an RBI single to make it 4-0.

Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the seventh with a pop out. In the bottom of the seventh, E. Grubbs, would pick up a ground out, a line out, and a strikeout as the Dragons take game two, 4-0 to sweep the series and advance to the Elite Eight.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 RBI

Jennings Allen: 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Kam Jenkins: 1 hit by pitch

A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 2 RBI

Everett Grubbs: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K on 85 pitches

Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 steal, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 2 walks, and 1 steal

Tanner Bail: 1 run scored

Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored

 

With the series win, the Dragons, will now turn their attention to Wednesday, May 6th as they welcome the West Laurens Raiders to Dunn Field for a double header. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 7th. The Raiders, are 22-9 on the season. They won region 4-AAA, and are the #6 seed. The Raiders, swept Gilmer and Northwest Whitfield to get to the Elite Eight.

 

Dragons sweep Cairo to advance to Sweet 16

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Friday, April 24th as the #3 seeded Pickens Dragons, took on the #30 seeded Cairo Syrupmakers in a best of three series to open up the tournament. The two teams would play a doubleheader at Dunn Field. The Dragons, would come away with a sweep as they won game one, 10-0 and game two, 13-1.

 

Game one:

Senior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, would start game one for the Dragons. After picking up a strikeout for the first out, C. Prince and J. Brinson, would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would pick up a second strikeout for the second out. J. Bell, would draw the third walk of the inning to load the bases. Rice, would get out of the first with a ground out.

In the bottom of the first, after two quick outs, Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Dawson Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.

 

Rice, would settle in for the top of the second as he would strikeout the side on 13 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would lead off with a double. Everett Grubbs and Christian Starks, would follow that up by drawing back to back walks to load the bases. Matthew Davis Jr, would then be hit by a pitch to bring in T. Grubbs to make it 1-0.

After back to back pop outs, Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to bring in E. Grubbs to make it 2-0. Starks, would come in to score after Lowit drew a walk to make it 3-0. Davis Jr, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 Dragons heading to the third.

 

Rice, would toss a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, E. Grubbs, would reach with a lead off single. E. Grubbs, would then advance all the way to 3rd on a ground out by Starks. Davis Jr, would drive in E. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Robert Turner, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out.

 

Rice, would fire a 1-2-3 top of the fourth with another half inning of a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 7-0. After a pick off at 1st for the second out, T. Grubbs, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk.

T. Grubbs, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.

 

Rice, would finish off his start by striking out the side in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Davis Jr, would reach with 1-out after an error by the third baseman. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fifth with a pair of line outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.

 

Jackson Nunn, would come on to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the sixth. After a strikeout and a ground out, the Syrupmakers, would have their first base runner since the first inning after a double by J. Brinson. Nunn, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Jenkins, would send one over the left field fence for a solo home run to make it 8-0.

After a pop out, Rice, now playing shortstop, would reach after drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. T. Grubbs, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a line out, Starks, would drive in both Rice and T. Grubbs with a 2-RBI double to walk it off for the Dragons as they took game one, 10-0 in six innings.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game One:

Robert Turner: 1 steal

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

Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 1 RBI

A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 12 K on 80 pitches

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

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

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

Matthew Davis Jr: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 1 steal and 2 runs scored

 

Game two:

The two teams, would switch places for game two as the Dragons would be the away team and the Syrupmakers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out double. Cairo, would get out of the first with a line out and a pop out. Christian Starks, would take the mound for the Dragons in the bottom of the first. Starks, would pick up a strikeout and a pair of pop outs to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.

 

In the top of the second, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Truitt Grubbs, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Everett Grubbs, would advance both runners after a sacrifice bunt. Starks, would help himself out by bringing in Rice with an RBI single to make it 1-0.

Starks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Matthew Davis Jr, would drive in both T. Grubbs and Starks with a 2-RBI triple to make it 3-0. Robert Turner, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at home. Turner, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the second with a ground out.

Starks, would only need six pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he forced a pop out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the third, the Dragons, led the Syrupmakers, 3-0.

 

Kam Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the third with back to back singles. Rice, would then launch one over the left center fence for a three run home run to make it 6-0. After a strikeout and a fly out, Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Davis Jr, would drive in Starks with an RBI double to make it 7-0.

Turner, would bring in Davis Jr with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Turner, would then steal 2nd and 3rd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out. D. Barber, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk. K. Brinson, would then reach on an infield single. Barber, would advance to 3rd after the throw got away from Lowit at first base.

After a strikeout, Barber, would come in to score after a pick off attempt went over E. Grubbs head at 3rd to make it 8-1. K. Brinson, would advance to 2nd on the play. G. Barret, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. C. Prince, would then reach on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Starks, would get out of the jam with back to back strikeouts to send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 8-1.

 

Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 9-1. T. Grubbs, would follow that up with an RBI double of his own as Rice would come in to score to make it 10-1. T. Grubbs, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out.

T. Grubbs, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 11-1. Starks, would drive in E. Grubbs with the third RBI double of the inning to make it 12-1. After a pop out, Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Turner, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 13-1. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a force out. J. Bell, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Bell, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.

H. Hudson, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a strikeout, Starks, would then force a fly out. That would turn into an inning ending double play as it was determined that Bell left 2nd too early. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 13-1.

 

The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fifth after a fly out, a line out, and a strikeout. Dylan Walls, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth. Walls, dealing with an injury since the beginning of the season, would be on the mound for the first time since. Walls, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out as the Dragons would take game two, 13-1, to sweep the series and advance to the Sweet 16.

 

Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:

Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 3 steals

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

Jennings Allen: 1-3 with a double

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

Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored

A.J. Rice: 2-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 steal, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored

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

Everett Grubbs: 1 walk, and 1 run scored

Christian Starks: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 steals, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 K on 64 pitches

Matthew Davis Jr: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI and 1 run scored

Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 11 pitches

Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored

 

The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the #19 seeded Adairsville Tigers. Adairsville, swept the #14 seed, Douglass-Atlanta to advance to Sweet 16. While game times haven’t been announced yet, the best of three series will begin with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 30th. The “if” game, would be on Friday, May 1st.

Dragons shut out Chiefs to move to 2-0

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons baseball team, were back at Dunn Field on Friday, February 13th as they took on the Sequoyah Chiefs in non-region action. After an opening day win on Tuesday against Northwest Whitfield, the Dragons, were looking to do the same in their second game of the week. A.J. Rice, Everett Grubbs, and Robert Turner, would combine for the shut out as the Dragons picked up a 10-0 win in six innings.

 

In the top of the first, Dragons starter and Auburn signee, Rice, would work around a 1-out walk and a wild pitch as the Chiefs would leave a runner stranded at 3rd. In the bottom of the frame, Turner and Rice, would reach with back to back singles. Carson-Newman signee Kam Jenkins, would then drive a ball over the left field fence to put the Dragons up 3-0.

Dawson Lowit, would then reach after drawing a walk. After back to back strikeouts, Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going by reaching on an error. Grubbs, would bring in Lowit with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the second.

 

In the top of the second, Rice, would work around a single, a stolen base, and a walk as he picked up his third and fourth strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. Turner, would lead off the bottom of the second with his 2nd single of the game. Turner, would show off the wheels as he would steal both 2nd and 3rd. Lowit, would drive in Turner with a 2-out single to make it 5-0 Dragons.

Matthew Davis Jr, would keep the line moving with a 2-out single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Chiefs, would get out of the inning with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickend led Sequoyah, 5-0.

 

Rice, would end his night on the mound on a strong note as he would strikeout the side in the top of the fourth to bring his total to 7 for the game. Allen, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. After Allen was picked off at 1st, Brock Teal, who came on to pitch hit for Grubbs, would draw a 1-out walk. After a strikeout, Turner, would draw a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Chiefs, would get out of the third with a strikeout to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading it, 5-0.

 

Grubbs, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. D. Harmon, would lead off the fourth with a single. Grubbs, would then induce a double play. A line out to short, would end the top half of the inning and send it to the bottom of the frame. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the inning with a single. Caden Kirchoff, would come in as a courtesy runner. Lowitt, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.

Tanner Bail, would come in to pitch run for Lowit. A 2-run double by Davis Jr, would make it 7-0 Dragons. After a strikeout, Allen, would drive in Davis Jr with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Allen, would advance to 2nd on the play. An error, would allow Allen to take 3rd. Grubbs, back in the lineup, would bring in Allen with an RBI single to make it 9-0 Dragons heading to the fifth.

 

In the top of the fifth, Grubbs, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out for the first two outs of the inning. After issuing back to back 2-out walks, Grubbs, would get out of the potential jam with his second strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth. Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out walk. Bail, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out.

The Chiefs, were able to get out of the fifth with back to back strikeouts. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons, would still lead it, 9-0.

 

Turner, would come on in relief of Grubbs in the top of the sixth. C. Gantt, would lead off the sixth by drawing a walk. Much like Grubbs, Turner, got a big double play to clear the bases. J. Brock, would then draw a 2-out walk. B. Winford, would then reach with a 2-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Turner, would be able to get out of it with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning.

Allen, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with his third hit of the game. Grubbs, would follow that with his third hit of the game. After a strikeout, Allen and Grubbs, would attempt a double steal. Allen, would take 3rd, while Grubbs would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. While that was going on, Allen, would come in to score to walk it off for the Dragons who picked up the 10-0 win.

 

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 3 steals, 2 runs scored, and 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches

AJ Rice: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 run scored, 3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 7 K on 54 pitches

Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 home run, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored

Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 HBP, and 1 run scored

Matthew Davis Jr: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Everett Grubbs: 3-3 with 3 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches

Tanner Bail: 1-1 with 1 double and 1 run scored

Caden Kirhoff: 2 runs scored

Brock Teal: 1 walk

 

The Dragons, will be back on the diamond on Saturday, February 14th as they will take on The Walker School. First pitch is set for 4 pm.

 

Dragons baseball opens season with win over Bruins

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — It was opening day for the Pickens Dragons baseball team on Tuesday, February 10th as they hosted a former region rival in the Northwest Whitfield Bruins. The Dragons, came into this season with lofty expectations as they were ranked in the top ten in AAA, and in the top 25 in the state of Georgia. The Dragons, were able to come away with a 10-5 win to open the season.

 

Senior and Auburn signee AJ Rice, would take the mound for the Dragons and was as good as advertised in his outing. Rice, would work around a 1-out single as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Gadsen State signee Robert Turner, would reach with a lead off single. After advancing to 2nd on a passed ball, Rice, would drive Turner in with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons.

Rice, would advance to 3rd after a fly out by Carson-Newman signee Kam Jenkins. Dawson “boogie” Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners. Matthew Davis Jr., would bring in Rice with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0. Heading to the second inning, Pickens led Northwest Whitfield, 2-0.

 

Rice, would end his night on the mound tossing a clean top of the second with two more strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the frame. Jennings Allen, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. He would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Allen, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score as Brock Teal would reach on an error.

Drew Dunlap, would drive in Teal with a double to make it 4-0 Dragons. After a fly out, Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Bruins, would get out of the second with a fly out and a pop out to send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-0.

 

Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the third. Max Harrison, thought he had a lead off ground rule double. The field umpire, ruled that he did not touch first base while rounding the bag and was called out. Walls, would then pick up two strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning. Davis Jr, would draw a lead off walk to start the bottom of the third.

After a pop out, Davis Jr, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Teal, would then work some 2-out magic as he would drive in Davis Jr with an RBI single to make it 5-0. Dunlap, would keep the inning alive by drawing a 2-out walk. Turner, would bring in Teal with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Rice, now playing 3rd, would knock in both Dunlap and Turner with a 2-RBI double to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the fourth.

 

The Bruins, would get on the board in the top of the fourth as they would plate four runs. Everett Grubbs, would come on in relief of Walls, and pick up the final two outs of the top of the fourth. In the bottom half of the fourth, Davis Jr, would reach for the second time after a 1-out single. Davis Jr, would steal 2nd and 3rd, but would be left stranded as the Bruins picked up a strikeout and fly out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 8-4.

 

Grubbs, who stayed in for the top of the fifth, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out in a clean frame. Dunlap, would reach with his second double of the game with 1-out in the bottom of the inning. Turner, would drive Dunlap in with a 2-run home run to make it 10-4. After a ground out, Jenkins, would draw a full count walk to reach. Tanner Bail, who pitch hit for Lowit, would line out to second as they went to the sixth with the Dragons ahead, 10-4.

 

Turner, would come on in relief of Grubbs in the top of the sixth. He would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he struck out the side in his lone inning of work on the mound. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning as they would go to the seventh with the Dragons up, 10-4.

 

Jackson Nunn, would come on in relief of Turner to try and close things out in the top of the seventh. The Bruins, would end up cashing in on a lead off double to plate a run, but Nunn would hold them to just that as the Dragons would come away with a 10-5 win.

 

Dragons Stats:

Robert Turner: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 home run, 1 steal, 3 RBI, 3 runs scored, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 1 HB, 3 K on 19 pitches

AJ Rice: 2-3 with 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 RBI, 1 run scored, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 4 K on 26 pitches

Kam Jenkins: 1 walk

Dawson Lowit: 1 HBP

Matthew Davis Jr: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 steals, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored

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

Brock Teal: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored

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

Everett Grubbs: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K on 17 pitches

Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HB, 1 K on 19 pitches

 

The Dragons, will be back at Dunn Field on Friday as they take on the Sequoyah Chiefs in non-region action. First pitch is set for 6 pm.

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