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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stats for the Dragons:

Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored

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

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

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