Dragons open series with win over Southeast Whitfield
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 7, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — The Pickens Dragons (11-10, 5-8), hosted the Southeast Whitfield Raiders (8-13, 2-11) in a crucial game 1 of a 3-game set. Coming into the series, the Dragons were in 5th place in 7-AAAA. The Raiders, came in 7th in 7-AAAA. The bats for the Dragons came to life and led them to a 14-4 win in 5 innings.
In the top of the 1st, the Raiders got on the board first with a solo home run. Going to the bottom of the 1st, Southeast Whitfield led the Dragons, 1-0. In the bottom of the 1st, Hunter White got things going with a 1-out single. Trace Ledbetter then followed by getting hit with a pitch. After White and Ledbetter advanced to 3rd and 2nd respectively after a double steal, Seth Densmore drove in White to tie the game at 1 a piece. Jarod Whitmore, then hit a 2-out single, and advanced to 2nd on the throw attempt to home. Anthony Antinozzi, drove in both Ledbetter and Whitmore to make it 3-1 Dragons. Antinozzi, would come around to score after Harlan Will reached on an error. Parker Rhodes, drove in Colby Brooks, who was courtesy running for Will to make it 5-1 Dragons going to the 2nd.
The Raiders, would pick up 2 hits off of Dragon starter JP Nunn, but that would be all as Nunn picked off a runner at 2nd to end the top half of the 2nd inning. In the bottom half of the frame, the Dragons added to their lead after Whitmore drove in White to make it 6-1 Pickens going to the top of the 3rd.
With nothing doing for either side in the 3rd inning, we’ll move along to the 4th. In the top of the 4th, Southeast Whitfield plated a run to make it 6-2. In the bottom of the 4th, Connor Shouse got things going with a lead off triple. White, continued his hot hitting as he drove in Shouse with an RBI single to make it 7-2. After advancing to 2nd on a passed ball, White would move to 3rd after a single from Ledbetter. With 1-out, Densmore stepped up and sent a lined shot over the left field wall for a 2-run home run to make it 9-2. Whitmore, followed by drawing a walk. Will, then reached on an error for the second time. Rhodes, continued his good play over the last week and drove Whitmore home with an RBI single to make it 10-2 Pickens, going to the 5th.
In the top of the 5th, the Raiders scored twice to cut the Dragons lead to 10-4. In the bottom of the 5th, White reached base for a fourth time by drawing a 1-out walk. Ledbetter and Densmore followed by getting hit by a pitch to load the bases. Antinozzi, drew a 2-out walk to bring in White to make it 11-4. Will, then drew a walk as well to bring in Ledbetter. Rhodes, blooped one into shallow right center to score Matt Satterfield, who pitch ran for Densmore, and Antinozzi to give the Dragons a 14-4 win over the Raiders in 5 innings.
Dragons Stats:
Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a triple and 1 run scored
Hunter White: 3-3 with 3 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 4 runs scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with a single, 2 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Seth Densmore: 1-2 with a home run, 1 hit by pitch, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jarod Whitmore: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Anthony Antinozzi: 1-3 with a single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Harlan Will: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Parker Rhodes: 3-4 with 3 singles, and 3 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1 run scored
Matt Satterfield: 1 run scored
With the win, the Dragons are now tied in the win column with the current 4th place team in 7-AAAA, Central-Carroll, who fell in game 1 of their series with Ridgeland, 14-0. Pickens, will head to Southeast Whitfield on Friday, April 9th for a doubleheader with the Raiders. First pitch of the first game of that twin bill is set for 5 :30 pm.
Chances aplenty in game 3 between Cedartown and Pickens
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 3, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — In between games 2 and 3, the Pickens Dragons honored two brave women and their families for their Pink Out night. Jamie Stone, Debbie Dart, and their families were recognized. One family member each got to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Game 3, saw plenty of opportunities for both the Dragons and Cedartown Bulldogs. In the end, the Bulldogs took game 3, 10-4.
In the top of the 1st, the Bulldogs again got on the board early with a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Hunter White drew a 2-out walk, but that would be all as we’d head to the top of the 2nd, Cedartown leading Pickens, 1-0.
The Dragons retired the Bulldogs on 12 pitches in the top half of the 2nd to keep it 1-0. In the bottom half of the frame, Jarod Whitmore got hit by a pitch with 1-out. Parker Rhodes then drew a 2-out walk. Pickens, would be unable to tie things up as Whitmore was left stranded at 3rd as we went to the top of the 3rd, still 1-0 Bulldogs.
In the top of the 3rd, Cedartown plated 2 runs to extend their lead over the Dragons t0 3-0. In the bottom of the 3rd, Anthony Antinozzi drew a 2-out walk. His courtesy runner, Colby Brooks, would make it all the way to 3rd base, but would be left stranded to end the 3rd inning and send us to the 4th, Bulldogs ahead, 3-0.
After nothing doing for the Bulldogs in the top half of the 4th, the Dragons again had another chance to cut into the lead as Drake Sutton and Whitmore drew back to back walks with 1-out. Back to back fly outs however ended the inning for Pickens as we’d go to the top of the 5th, Cedartown leading, 3-0.
In the top of the 5th, the Bulldogs added 2 runs to their total as they increased their lead to 5-0 going to the bottom of the frame. Pickens, went quietly in the bottom of the 5th and we’d head t0 the 6th with the Bulldogs up, 5-0.
In the top of the 6th, Cedartown plated a run to make it 6-0. In the bottom of the inning, let’s just say, the Dragons got their steps in. Pickens drew 6 walks, and 1 hit batsman to plate 4 runs and cut the Bulldog lead to 6-4, going to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, the Bulldogs scored 4 runs of their own to extend their lead out to 10-4. In the bottom of the 7th, the Dragons got back to back hits from Densmore and Sutton. Those two hits, were the first two hits of the ball game for Pickens. Courtesy runner Brooks and Sutton, were left stranded a 3rd and 2nd respectively as Cedartown forced a pop out, and then got back to back strikeouts to get the win, 10-4.
Dragons Stats:
Harlan Will: 1 hit by pitch, & 1 RBI
Anthony Antinozzi: 1 walk
Hunter White: 2 walks, & 1 run scored
Seth Densmore: 1-3 with a single & 1 walk
Drake Sutton: 1-3 with a single & 1 walk
Jarod Whitmore: 1 hit by pitch, 2 walks, & 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Parker Rhodes: 2 walks, & 1 RBI
James Tilley: 1 walk, & 1 RBI
7-AAAA Baseball Standings:
Heritage: 15-4 (8-1)
Northwest Whitfield: 17-4 (7-2)
Cedartown: 12-7 (9-3)
Central-Carroll: 11-7 (5-4)
Pickens: 10-10 (4-8)
Southeast Whitfield: 8-12 (2-10)
Ridgeland: 3-12 (1-8)
Pickens, will be back home on Tuesday, April 6th as they welcome the Southeast Whitfield Raiders to Jasper for the start of a 3-game set. First pitch for game 1 is set for 5:30 pm.
Nunn shuts door on Bulldogs as Dragons take game 2
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 3, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — It was Pink Out Friday on April 2nd as the Pickens Dragons (10-9, 4-7) welcomed the Cedartown Bulldogs (11-7, 8-3) to Jasper for games 2 and 3 of their 7-AAAA 3-game set. The Dragons, wore pink jerseys as part of recognizing breast cancer awareness. In game 1 of the series on Tuesday, the Bulldogs came away with the win, 12-5. In a game where both teams had multiple run innings, the Dragons were able to hold on to get a 10-8 win in game two.
In the top of the 1st, the Bulldogs scored 2 runs to take an early 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons got a 2-out single by Hunter White, but that would be all as we’d head to the 2nd, Cedartown ahead, 2-0.
In the top of the 2nd, the Bulldogs added to their lead as they would plate one run to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the frame, Jarod Whitmore drew a 1-out walk. Trace Ledbetter then followed with a single. Parker Rhodes then drew a walk to load the bases. Starting pitcher James Tilley, would then be hit in the left arm to bring home Whitmore. Connor Shouse, brought in Ledbetter to make it 3-2. Anthony Antinozzi then brought in Rhodes as Antinozzi reached on an error. Going to the top of the 3rd, the ball game was knotted up at 3 a piece.
The tie would not last very long as the Bulldogs retook the lead in the top of the 3rd by scoring 1 run. Going to the bottom half of the inning, it was now 4-3 Cedartown. Pickens, began the bottom of the 3rd with back to back walks drawn by Seth Densmore and Drake Sutton. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the Bulldogs got a strikeout, and double play to end the home half of the 3rd, and send us to the 4th with Cedartown ahead, 4-3.
The Bulldogs, were limited to just 1 hit in the top of the 4th as the score remained 4-3. In the bottom of the 4th, the Dragons broke through, scoring 6 runs on 4 hits. Pickens got an RBI from Antinozzi, Whitmore, and 2 RBI from Rhodes and White during the rally as the Dragons to their first lead of the game, 9-4.
We move to the top of the 6th. Cedartown, was able to cut the Dragons lead down to 9-8 after plating 4 runs in the top half of the frame. In the bottom of the 6th, Ledbetter led off with a single to get it started. Ledbetter, would eventually come around to score to give Pickens an all important insurance run. Going to the top of the 7th, the Dragons held a 10-8 lead over the Bulldogs.
In the top of the 7th, JP Nunn, who came on in relief in the top of the 6th, shut down any comeback chances as the Dragons picked up the win in game 2, 10-8.
Dragons Stats:
Connor Shouse: 1-5 with a single, 1 RBI, & 1 run scored
Anthony Antinozzi: 2 RBI
Hunter White: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Seth Densmore: 1-3 with a single, & a walk
Drake Sutton: 1-2 with a single, 2 walks, & 1 run scored
Jarod Whitmore: 2 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Trace Ledbetter: 2-4 with 2 singles, & 2 runs scored
Parker Rhodes: 1 single, 2 walks, 2 RBI, & 2 runs scored
James Tilley: 2 hit by pitch & 1 walk
Colby Brooks: 1 run scored
After a long Monday night, Dragons Baseball back at it on Tuesday
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 30, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — The busy week for the Pickens Dragons (9-9, 3-7), continued on Tuesday, March 30th as they traveled to Polk County to start a 3-game series with the Cedartown Bulldogs (11-6, 8-2). The Dragons, came into this game sitting in 5th in the 7-AAAA standings. The Bulldogs, came into the game in 2nd in the region standings. Using a big 2nd inning, the Bulldogs were able to take game 1, 12-5.
The Dragons would go down in order in the top of the 1st. In the bottom half of the frame, Dragons starter Drake Sutton, picked up 2 strikeouts and left 2 Bulldogs stranded to send us to the 2nd, tied at 0.
In the top of the 2nd, Seth Densmore led off by getting hit by a pitch. Jarod Whitmore would then get on with a 1-out single. Trace Ledbetter worked a walk to load the bases. Parker Rhodes, knocked in Densmore with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. James Tilley, drove in Whitmore and Ledbetter with a 2 RBI single to make it 3-0. Connor Shouse, would keep the line moving as he drove in Rhodes with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons. The lead for Pickens would not last long however as the Bulldogs scored 7 runs in the bottom half of the 2nd to take a 7-4 lead going to the 3rd.
In the top of the 3rd, Sutton worked the count full and drew a 2-out walk. Whitmore then followed by reaching on an error. That would be all the Dragons could muster as we’d go to the bottom of the 3rd, Cedartown ahead, 7-4. In the bottom of the 3rd, the Bulldogs would plate a run to make it 8-4 going to the 4th.
After nothing got going for Pickens in the top half of the 4th, the Bulldogs would score 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning to make it 11-4.
In the top of the 6th, the Dragons had back to back hitters get struck by pitches to put runners on 1st and 2nd with just one out. Back to back pop outs to the second baseman ended the potential rally and sent us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the 6th, the Bulldogs tacked on another run to make it 12-4 going to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, Hunter White led off by getting hit with a pitch. Densmore, then followed with a single. Whitmore, then drove in White to make it 12-5. Ledbetter followed by drawing a walk, and Rhodes collected his 2nd hit of the day after that. The Bulldogs, were able to prevent any further possible damage as Cedartown would take game 1, 12-5.
Dragons Stats:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single, 1 RBI, and 1 hit by pitch
Hunter White: 2 hit by pitch and 1 run scored
Seth Densmore: 1-3 with a single, a run scored, and 1 hit by pitch
Drake Sutton: 1 walk
Jarod Whitmore: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Parker Rhodes: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1 hit by pitch
James Tilley: 1-3 with a single, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 RBI
These two teams will meet again on Friday in Jasper for games 2 and 3 of the series. First game of the doubleheader is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons take game 2 against Heritage
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 30, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — We had Monday night baseball on Monday, March 29th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Heritage Generals for game 2 and 3 of their 3-game series. The doubleheader, was originally scheduled for Friday, March 26th, but the storms that blew through on Thursday, March 27th, forced the doubleheader to be moved to Monday. The Dragons, got runs in the 1st, 4th, and 6th innings as they took game 2 against the Generals, 6-2.
In the top of the 1st, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, picked up two strikeouts as we would head to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse led off with a single. In a long at bat, Anthony Antinozzi, drew a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd. With 1-out, Seth Densmore drove in courtesy runner Colby Brooks to make it 1-0. Drake Sutton, brought in a run to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the 2nd.
In the top of the 2nd, the Generals cut the Pickens lead in half after a walk and a hit led to a run to make it 2-1. In the bottom of the inning, Heritage sat the Dragons down quietly to send the game to the 3rd inning with Pickens ahead, 2-1.
In the top of the 3rd, Shouse forced three pop outs from the Generals and got out of the 3rd with an 8-pitch frame. In the bottom half of the 3rd, the Dragons got hits from Hunter White and Densmore with 2-outs, but were unable to bring a run home as we’d head to the 4th, still 2-1 Pickens.
In the top of the 4th, another walk and hit for the Generals led to Heritage tying things up at 2 a piece. In the bottom of the inning, Jarod Whitmore would lead off with a single. With 1-out, Parker Rhodes laid down a beautiful bunt to have runners on the corners at 1st and 3rd. With 2-outs, James Tilley would drive in Whitmore to regain the lead for the Dragons at 3-2, going to the 5th.
In the top of the 5th, Tilley came on in relief of Shouse, who pitched very well. Tilley, got out of the top of the 5th in 14 pitches with no damage down. In the bottom of the 5th, the Dragons got a lead off single from Antinozzi, but that would be all. Going to the 6th, the Dragons led the Generals, 3-2.
Much like Shouse in the top of the 3rd, Tilley needed just 8 pitches in the top of the 6th to retire the side. In the bottom of the 6th, Whitmore drew a 1-out walk, Trace Ledbetter got on with a 1-out single, and Rhodes drew another 1-out walk to load the bases. Tilley, then got drilled in the back with a pitch as Whitmore came in to make it 4-2. After a 2nd run would score, Shouse brought in a 3rd run to make it 6-2 Dragons going to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, Tilley, had a somewhat long half inning with 20 pitches, but kept Heritage off the board as the Dragons took game 2 of the series, 6-2.
With the win, the Dragons picked up their 9th win of the season and their 3rd in 7-AAAA play. After the 2nd game against the Generals, the Dragons were slotted in 5th place in the region standings.
Dragons drop series opener to Northwest Whitfield in extras
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 17, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — Tuesday, March 16th was a windy, rainy filled day but it also was game day as the Pickens Dragons (7-5, 1-3) welcomed the Northwest Whitfield Bruins to Dunn Field for game 1 of a 7-AAAA three game set. The Dragons, were coming off of a tough series with Centrall-Carroll last week and looked to get back on track against a Bruins ream that was out of region play last week, and came in with a 10-2 overall record. In a back and forth game that saw both teams trade the lead, Northwest Whitfield came away with a 3-2 win in 8 innings.
In the top of the 1st, Dragons starter Jackson Moore needed just 12 pitches to retire the Bruins and send us to the bottom of the frame, and the Dragons to the plate. After a 1-out single by Anthony Antinozzi and a 2-out single by Seth Densmore, the Bruins were able to get out of the early jam and send us to the 2nd, still scoreless.
In the top of the 2nd, Northwest Whitfield picked up a hit, but were held scoreless as we headed to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the 2nd, Jarod Whitmore led off with a double, and later scored on a passed ball to give Pickens a 1-0 lead going to the top of the 3rd.
Moore continued his impressive outing in the top of the 3rd as he needed just 9 pitches to retire the Bruins and send the Dragons bats back to the plate. In the bottom of the 3rd, Antinozzi and Hunter White both drew 1-out walks. Both runners then advanced to 3rd and 2nd base respectively after a passed ball. Northwest Whitfield, again avoided a potential big inning by the Dragons as we would go to the top of the 4th, Pickens still ahead, 1-0.
In the top of the 4th, the Bruins broke through and plated 2 runs on a double. With 2 runs already in, Northwest Whitfield was looking for more, but Drake Sutton came in and got the last out of the inning with his first pitch to send us to the bottom half of the frame. In the bottom of the 4th, the Dragons would be retired in order. Going to the top of the 5th, the Bruins now led it, 2-1.
In the top of the 5th, Sutton was able to work around a 24-pitch inning as he and the Dragons defense held Northwest Whitfield scoreless. In the bottom of the 5th, the Dragons were able to cash in on a lead off walk drawn by James Tilley as Antinozzi was able to bring him in on a grounder to 2nd base and tie the ball game up at 2 going to the 6th.
The Dragons brought in JP Nunn on in relief in the top of the 6th and Nunn continued his impressive start to the season by retiring the Bruins on 11 pitches. In the bottom of the 6th, with 1-out, Whitmore would secure his 2nd triple of the game. After the home plate umpire ruled catchers interference, Trace Ledbetter took 1st base. Parker Rhodes then drew a walk to load the bases. Unfortunately for Pickens, the Bruins were able to force a popup, and barely make a catch in deep right field, to keep the game tied at 2 going to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, Nunn kept rolling as he retired Northwest Whitfield on just 10 pitches to send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the 7th, the Dragons would go quietly in order. We headed to the 8th inning, still tied at 2.
In the top half of the 8th, things got interesting to say the least. Nunn, got two quick outs to start the inning. The Dragons, thought the third out was made at first base, but a catchers interference call was made by the home plate umpire and awarded the base to the Bruins batter. Later in the inning, with a Bruin runner on 3rd base, the third strike got away from the catcher. Antinozzi, threw it to 1st base where it looked like the runner was out. The field umpire however ruled that the throw pulled the 1st baseman off the bag and the run scored giving Northwest Whitfield a 3-2 lead going to the bottom of the 8th. In the bottom of the 8th, Whitmore got on base for the third time with a 1-out single. The Bruins were able to get the final two outs to get the win, 3-2.
Dragons Stats:
Anthony Antinozzi: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 1 RBI
Hunter White: 1-3 with a single and a walk
Seth Densmore: 1-4 with a single
Jarod Whitmore: 3-4 with 2 triples, 1 single, and 1 run scored
Parker Rhodes: 1 walk
James Tilley: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
These two teams will play games 2 and 3 of the series in a doubleheader on Friday at Northwest Whitfield. First pitch for the first game of the doubleheader is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons fall to Lions in tough series finale
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 13, 2021
Pickens County, Ga — After the craziness that was the first game of the doubleheader, the Dragons and Lions took a much needed break, then began game 2 of the doubleheader and the 3rd and final game of the series. Central-Carroll, scored runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 7th innings to get win in the series finale, 8-2.
In the top of the first, the Lions would get a base hit, but would leave the runner stranded as we would head to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Anthony Antinozzi would find himself at 3rd after a 1-out triple. Hunter White, drove in Antinozzi with a sacrifice fly to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead over Central-Carroll going to the 2nd.
In the top half of the 2nd, the Lions were able to plate 2 runs to take a 2-1 lead. After two quick outs in the bottom of the 2nd, Trace Ledbetter reached after an error and Parker Rhodes reached after a single. Central-Carroll, was able to escape the potential Dragon threat as we headed to the 3rd, Lions leading, 2-1.
Unfortunately for the Dragons, Central-Carroll was able to take advantage of some ill-timed miscues in the top of the 3rd which helped lead to 3 runs for the Lions. Going to the bottom of the 3rd, the Lions led Pickens, 5-1. The bottom of the 3rd saw the Dragons go quietly in order as we would go to the 4th with Central-Carroll leading, 5-1.
After he came in during the top of the 3rd, JP Nunn, settled in and retired the Lions on just 8 pitches in the top of the 4th. In the bottom of the 4th, Seth Densmore led off with a single. Jarod Whitmore then reached on an error, and Ledbetter follwed by drawing a walk. After a controversial strike out call of Rhodes for the 2nd out, the Lions forced a pop up for the 3rd out to send us to the 5th with Central-Carroll leading the Dragons, 5-1.
Nunn, got into a little bit of trouble in the top of the 5th, but was able to escape with no damage down to keep it 5-1. In the bottom half of the 5th, after a 1-out single by Antinozzi, and a walk drawn by White, the Lions again were able to escape a potential big inning by the Dragons after forcing a double play to send us to the 6th with Central-Carroll still ahead, 5-1.
In the top of the 6th, Nunn continued his sold work in relief as he again only needed 8 pitches to send us to the bottom of the frame. Pickens, would go down in order in the bottom of the 6th as we headed to the 7th, Lions leading, 5-1.
In the top of the 7th, Central-Carroll was able to add 3 runs as they extended their lead to 8-1. In the bottom of the 7th, James Tilley drew a 1-out walk. With 2 outs, Antinozzi drew a walk himself. White, then drove in Tilley with an RBI single. The Lions, were able to get the 3rd and final out of the game as they picked up the win in game 3, 8-2. With the win, Central-Carroll would take the series, 2-1.
Dragons Stats:
Anthony Antinozzi: 2-3 with a triple, a single, a walk, and 1 run scored
Hunter White: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 2 RBI
Seth Densmore: 1-4 with a single
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Parker Rhodes: 1-3 with a single
James Tilley: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
7-AAAA Baseball Standings:
Heritage: 9-2 (3-0)
Cedartown: 6-4 (3-0)
Central-Carroll: 7-3 (2-1)
Pickens: 7-4 (1-2)
Southeast Whitfield: 7-4 (0-3)
Ridgeland: 1-8 (0-3)
Northwest Whitfield: 10-2 (0-0)
Next week, the Dragons will begin another 7-AAAA series. This one, will be against the Northwest Whitfield Bruins. This will be the first region series of the season for the Bruins. Game 1 of the 3 game series is set for Tuesday, March 16th at Dunn Field at Pickens High School. First pitch set at 5:30.
Dragons stay hot to open the season, defeat Bobcats
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 25, 2021
Pickens, County Ga — The Pickens Dragons baseball team (4-0) have started the 2021 season off on an exciting note. They opened the season with an 8-7 comeback win at Dawson on February 17th. The Dragons again defeated the Tigers at home, 10-7 on February 18th. On Tuesday, February 23rd, the Dragons traveled to Lumpkin and defeated the Indians, 16-7. On Thursday, February 25th, Pickens welcomed their rival, the Gilmer Bobcats (1-3), to Dunn Field for a non-region contest. This game, was originally scheduled for Friday, but was moved up due to impending weather. The Dragons kept their hot start to the season going with a 13-3 win over the Bobcats in 5 innings.
In the top of the first inning, the Bobcats were unable to take advantage of two Dragon errors as Dragons starter Seth Densmore forced a ground out to send us to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the first, Connor Shouse led off with a walk, Anthony Antinozzi reached on an error, Hunter White drove in Shouse with a single, Densmore drove in Antinozzi and White with a double, Drake Sutton walked, Jarod Whitmore drove in courtesy runner Parker Rhodes and Sutton with a 2 RBI ground rule double, and Trace Ledbetter drove in Whitmore. Going to the 2nd, the Dragons led the Bobcats, 6-0.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Brock Titus led off with a double for the Bobcats. With 1 out and the bases loaded, Densmore got out of the jam by striking out the batter for the second out, and picking off the runner at 2nd to send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the 2nd, Antinozzi led off with a walk, White followed with a double, Densmore drove in Antinozzi on a ground out, and Sutton drove in White with another grounder. Going to the 3rd, Pickens led Gilmer, 8-0.
In the top of the 3rd, Jess Buckner led off with a single, Spencer Merritt drove in Buckner with a single, Titus then drove in Merritt with a single. A 3rd run came across to score after Seth Darling was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Bobcats were looking for more, but a Kobe Stonecipher line drive was caught by James Tilley to send us to the bottom of the 3rd with the Dragons ahead, 8-3. In the bottom of the 3rd, after a 1-out single by Tilley, Shouse reached on a fielders choice, Antiozzi walked, then White walked to bring in Tilley. Densmore, drove in Shouse and Antinozzi with a double, and Sutton brought in White after a grounder to make it 12-3 Dragons going to the 4th.
JP Nunn came on in relief of Densmore in the top of the 4th for the Dragons and pitched well. Nunn collected a strikeout, and got the Bobcats to fly out to Rhodes on consecutive at bats to send us to the bottom of the inning. Pickens, looked to add to their lead in the bottom of the 4th, but left two runners stranded as we would head to the top of the 5th, still 12-3 Dragons.
Nunn needed just three pitches to get out of the top of the 5th as he induced a line out to Tilley, a grounder to Tilley, and a fly out to left field on consecutive pitches to send us to the bottom of the 5th. Rhodes got things started with a 1-out single, Nunn followed that with a single, Harlan Will got hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Whitmore drove in Rhodes to give the Dragons the 13-3 win over the Bobcats in 5 innings.
Dragons Stats:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk, 2 runs scored
Anthony Antinozzi: 2 walks, 3 runs scored
Hunter White: 2-2 with a single, a double, a walk, 1 RBI, & 2 runs scored
Parker Rhodes: 1-1 with a single & 2 runs scored
Seth Densmore: 2-2 with 2 doubles, & 3 RBI & 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 K, 1 walk
JP Nunn: 1-1 with a single & 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 walks, 1 K
Drake Sutton: 1 walk, 2 RBI, & 1 run scored
Jarod Whitmore: 2-4 with a double, a single, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1 single
James Tilley: 1-2 with a single, a walk, & 1 run scored
The Dragons, will be back on the diamond on Saturday as they host the Murray County Indians and the Wheeler Wildcats. The baseball filled day starts off with Dragons taking on Murray County at 10 am. Murray will then turn around and play the Lumpkin County Indians at 12:30. Lumpkin, will then play Wheeler at 3. The final game will see the Dragons take on the Wildcats at 5:30.
Dragons shutout Indians to move to 4-0
PHS Baseball, Sports, Team FYN Sports February 26, 2020
In a game that was pushed back to Wednesday due to weather, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Lumpkin County Indians to PHS for some baseball action. In a game that only featured six combined hits between the two teams, it was the pitching performance by the Dragons that helped lead to a 6-0 victory.
Nothing was doing for either team in the first inning as both teams went down in order to start the game. In the top of the second, Lumpkin got a two-out hit, but the runner was left stranded. In the bottom half of the inning, back to back walks would come into score for the Dragons as they took a 2-0 lead going to the third.
Senior Colby James collected his second and third strikeouts in the top of the third to keep the Indians offense at bay. Pickens, had a potential threat going in the bottom of the third after first baseman Chad Pacas was hit by a pitch and catcher Austin Chester drew a walk with two outs. Lumpkin was able to get out of it to send us to the fourth with the Dragons still on top, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Indians were looking to cut into the Dragons lead after Nick Turner got hit by a pitch and was able to swipe second base. After going to his first full count of the game, James ended the threat with his fourth strikeout of the game. James then led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, the first hit of the game for Pickens. The Dragons added to their lead when Alex Snelgrove drove in Colby Brooks to make it 3-0 going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Lumpkin again was looking to cut into the Dragons lead after a walk and a single with two outs. James was able to get the ground out he needed to end the scoring chance and send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Seth Densmore added to the lead for Pickens as he was able to bring in Tyler Vreeland. Going to the sixth, the Dragons led the Indians 4-0.
In the sixth, Snelgrove came on in relief of James and he would strikeout two of the three batters he faced as he sat them down in order to send us to the bottom of the inning. After a lead off single and a steal of second by Parker Rhodes, Snelgrove would drive him in with his second RBI of the game to make it 5-0. Snelgrove would also come into score as Hunter White would drive him in to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the seventh.
Drake Sutton came in for the Dragons in the top of the seventh to try and close this one out. A two-out walk is all Sutton would surrender as Pickens held on to defeat Lumpkin, 6-0.
Stats:
Brady Moore: two walks drawn
Hunter White: one RBI
Tyler Vreeland: one run scored
Chad Pacas: one walk, one hit-by-pitch, and one run scored
Austin Chester: three walks drawn
Seth Densmore: one RBI
Colby James: 1-3 with a single and five innings pitched, four K’s, one walk, one HBP, zero earned runs on 69 pitches
Drake Sutton: one walk drawn and one inning pitched with one walk, zero hits or runs on 22 pitches
Parker Rhodes: 1-1 with a single, one stolen base, and one run scored
Alex Snelgrove: 2-3 with two singles and 2 RBI and one inning pitched with two K’s, zero hits, runs, or walks on 12 pitches
Colby Brooks: one run scored
Jarod Whitmore: one run scored
Dragons shutout Indians to move to 4-0
Sports, Team FYN Sports February 21, 2020
In a game that was pushed back to Wednesday due to weather, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Lumpkin County Indians to PHS for some baseball action. In a game that only featured six combined hits between the two teams, it was the pitching performance by the Dragons that helped lead to a 6-0 victory.
Nothing was doing for either team in the first inning as both teams went down in order to start the game. In the top of the second, Lumpkin got a two-out hit, but the runner was left stranded. In the bottom half of the inning, back to back walks would come into score for the Dragons as they took a 2-0 lead going to the third.
Starter Colby James on the mound
Senior Colby James collected his second and third strikeouts in the top of the third to keep the Indians offense at bay. Pickens, had a potential threat going in the bottom of the third after first baseman Chad Pacas was hit by a pitch and catcher Austin Chester drew a walk with two outs. Lumpkin was able to get out of it to send us to the fourth with the Dragons still on top, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, the Indians were looking to cut into the Dragons lead after Nick Turner got hit by a pitch and was able to swipe second base. After going to his first full count of the game, James ended the threat with his fourth strikeout of the game. James then led off the bottom of the fourth with a single, the first hit of the game for Pickens. The Dragons added to their lead when Alex Snelgrove drove in Colby Brooks to make it 3-0 going to the fifth.
Dragons at the plate
In the top of the fifth, Lumpkin again was looking to cut into the Dragons lead after a walk and a single with two outs. James was able to get the ground out he needed to end the scoring chance and send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Seth Densmore added to the lead for Pickens as he was able to bring in Tyler Vreeland. Going to the sixth, the Dragons led the Indians 4-0.
In the sixth, Snelgrove came on in relief of James and he would strikeout two of the three batters he faced as he sat them down in order to send us to the bottom of the inning. After a lead off single and a steal of second by Parker Rhodes, Snelgrove would drive him in with his second RBI of the game to make it 5-0. Snelgrove would also come into score as Hunter White would drive him in to make it 6-0 Dragons going to the seventh.
Dragons looking to get out of a jam
Drake Sutton came in for the Dragons in the top of the seventh to try and close this one out. A two-out walk is all Sutton would surrender as Pickens held on to defeat Lumpkin, 6-0.
Stats:
Brady Moore: two walks drawn
Hunter White: one RBI
Tyler Vreeland: one run scored
Chad Pacas: one walk, one hit-by-pitch, and one run scored
Austin Chester: three walks drawn
Seth Densmore: one RBI
Colby James: 1-3 with a single and five innings pitched, four K’s, one walk, one HBP, zero earned runs on 69 pitches
Drake Sutton: one walk drawn and one inning pitched with one walk, zero hits or runs on 22 pitches
Parker Rhodes: 1-1 with a single, one stolen base, and one run scored
Alex Snelgrove: 2-3 with two singles and 2 RBI and one inning pitched with two K’s, zero hits, runs, or walks on 12 pitches
Colby Brooks: one run scored
Jarod Whitmore: one run scored