Late inning runs push Dragons past North Atlanta
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 21, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field for a third straight day as they took on the Warriors of North Atlanta on Saturday, February 21st. The Dragons, came into the game at 6-0 and were looking to finish the week at 4-0. The Warriors, 2-4 having defeated Haralson County prior to facing the Dragons. In what was a tight game throughout, the Dragons scored 1 in the 5th and 4 in the 6th to pick up the win, 7-3.
Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would need just 7 pitches to get out of the top of the first as he picked up two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame, Robert Turner, would lead off by drawing a walk. AJ Rice, would drive in Turner with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a pop out, Dawson Lowitt, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Matthew Davis, would draw a full count walk to load the bases with 1-out. After a strikeout, Jennings Allen, would draw a 4 pitch walk to bring in Rice to make it 2-0 Dragons heading to the second.
L. England, would be hit by the first pitch of the second inning and he would take 1st. C. Jones, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Grubbs, to his credit, would lock in and strike out the next three batters to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, Pickens led North Atlanta, 2-0.
M. McCaffrey, would draw a walk to lead off the top of the third. After a strikeout, D. Rovak, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. B. Hill, would reach on an error to load the bases. Grubbs, would strikeout London for the second out. Jones, would draw a walk to bring in McCaffrey to make it 2-1 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning.
The Dragons, would again go down in order for the second straight inning after a pop out, a fly out, and a ground out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led North Atlanta, 2-1.
R. Edwards, would look to get something started for the Warriors after drawing a 1-out walk. Grubbs, would pick up his 7th strikeout, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Allen, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Drew Dunlap, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Warriors, would get out of the fourth with a pop out and a fly out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 2-1.
MT Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Grubbs in the top of the fifth. Rovak, would lead off the fifth by drawing a walk. B. Hill, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. England, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice nearly turned an incredible 5-3 double play. Jones, would then reach on a single to load the bases with 1-out.
Crenshaw, would then pick up a big strikeout for the second out. B. Ford, would draw a bases loaded walk to score Hill to tie the game at 2. Crenshaw, would get out of the fifth with a ground out. Kam Jenkins, would look to get a rally going in the bottom of the fifth as he would reach with a 1-out single. After a fly out, Davis, would reach on an error by the shortstop. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Christian Starks, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. Davis, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Warriors, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 3-2.
Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Crenshaw in the top of the sixth. S. Kunz, would reach with a 1-out single. Rovak, would follow that with a single of his own as Kunz would advance to 3rd. Hulsey, would force a pair of pop outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. Dunlap, would start the bottom of the sixth by reaching after catchers interference was called.
Truitt Grubbs, would then reach on a bunt single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Turner, would move the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Rice, would drive in both Dunlap and Grubbs with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-2 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A single by Jenkins, would put runners at the corners with 2-out.
Lowitt, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 6-2. Pitch runner Cal Morrison, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. At the same time, courtesy runner Kirchoff, would steal home to make it 7-2. Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A second single by Starks, would load the bases with 1-out. The Warriors, would get out of the sixth with a double play as the Dragons led it, 7-2.
Turner, would come on for the top of the seventh to try and close things out for the Dragons. Jones, would lead off the seventh with a solo shot to right center to make it 7-3. Turner, would collect himself and pick up a pop out and a ground out. Edwards, would keep the game alive for the Warriors with a 2-out single. Turner, would end the game with a strikeout as the Dragons would come away with a 7-3 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 1 walk, 1 sacrifice bunt, 1 run scored and 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 K on 24 pitches
AJ Rice: 2-4 with 1 double, 1 single, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles
Dawson Lowitt: 1-3 with 1 HBP, 1 single, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 HBP
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 2 walks and 1 RBI
Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 steal and 2 runs scored
Cal Morrison: 1 steal
Everett Grubbs: 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K on 70 pitches
MT Crenshaw: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K on 29 pitches
Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER on 17 pitches
The Dragons, will be back at Dunn Field on Wednesday, February 25th as they host the Ringgold Tigers. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons run rule Haralson County to move to 6-0
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 21, 2026
Jasper, Ga — After defeating the Pepperell Dragons on Thursday, the Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field on Friday, February 20th as they took on the Rebels of Haralson County. The Dragons, came into the game with a 5-0 record. The Rebels, came into the game at 2-1. The Dragons, took control of this one early on as they plated 9 runs in the first inning on their way to a 10-0 win in 5 innings.
Jackson Nunn would get the start for the Dragons. After a pop out, C. Watkins, would draw a walk to reach base. Watkins, would be caught trying to steal 2nd for the second out. K. King, would then draw a 2-out walk to keep the inning going for the Rebels. C. Myers, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Nunn, would get out of the first with a strikeout.
Robert Turner, would lead off the bottom of the first with a double. After advancing to 3rd on a wild pitch, Turner, would come in to score after an RBI double by AJ Rice. Kam Jenkins, would then reach with a single to put runners at the corners. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Boogie Lowitt, would drive in both Rice and Kirchoff with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons.
Matthew Davis, would keep the line moving with a single. After a single by Christian Starks loaded the bases, Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowitt and Davis with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-0. The Rebels, would get the first out of the inning via strikeout. Truitt Grubbs, would reach on an error that would score Starks to make it 6-0. Turner, up for the second time in the inning, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 7-0.
After a ground out, Jenkins, would bring in both Grubbs and Turner with a double to make it 9-0 Dragons. The Rebels, would get out of the first after a pop out. Heading to the second, Pickens led Haralson County, 9-0.
Nunn, would get the first out of the second inning on the first pitch with a pop out. L. Kilgone, would then reach on an error. K. Bacon, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a line out, J. Huston, would draw a 2-out walk to load the bases. Nunn, would get out of the jam with a ground out to send it to the bottom of the second. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom half of the second as they would take a 9-0 lead into the third.
In the top of the third, the Rebels, looked to get something going again as Myers and D. Pruitt, would reach with back to back 1-out singles. Nunn, would settle in and pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning. Cal Morrison, now in for Everett Grubbs, would battle back from being down 0-2, to drawing a lead off walk. Truitt Grubbs, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Drew Dunlap, now in for Turner, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Grubbs would be forced out at 2nd. MT Crenshaw, would bring in Morrison with an RBI ground out to make it 10-0 Dragons. The Rebels, would get out of the third with a ground out to send it to the fourth.
Tanner Bail, would come on in relief of Nunn in the top of the fourth. Bacon, would draw a four pitch walk to lead off the inning. L. Wright, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Bacon would be forced out at 2nd. After a ground out, Watkins, would draw a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Bail, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame.
Brock Teal, would look to get something started for the Dragons after drawing a 1-out walk. The Rebels, were able to get out of the fourth with a pair of strikeouts to send it to the fifth with Pickens still leading, 10-0.
Bail, on in his second inning of relief, was looking to close this one out. Myers, would draw a walk to lead off the fifth. Bail, would keep the Rebels scoreless as he picked up back to back strikeouts and a ground out to seal the 10-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 2-2 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored
AJ Rice: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Truitt Grubbs: 1 HBP, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cal Morrison: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
MT Crenshaw: 1 RBI
Brock Teal: 1 walk
Drew Dunlap: 1 steal
Jackson Nunn: 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K on 56 pitches
Tanner Bail: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K on 40 pitches
The Dragons, will finish off a busy week with an afternoon tilt at Dunn Field on Saturday, February 21st as they take on the North Atlanta Warriors.
Rice tosses gem as Dragons defeat Pepperell
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 20, 2026
Jasper, Ga — After a successful trip to Ellijay on Monday, the Pickens Dragons, were back home on Thursday, February 19th for the first of three straight at Dunn Field as they took on the Pepperell Dragons in non-region action. Pickens, came into the game at 4-0 and ranked in the top ten in AAA. Pepperell, came into the game a 3-1 and ranked in the top ten in 1A D-1. While it took a little bit for the offense to break through, the Pitching was solid for Pickens as they came away with a 7-1 win.
Pickens starter and Auburn signee AJ Rice, took the mound in the top of the first. After back to back strikeouts to start the inning, M. Garcia, would look to get a rally going with a 2-out double to center. Rice, would settle down to strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the first. Pickens, would go down in order in the bottom half of the first as we’d head to the second inning still tied at 0.
Rice, would continue his hot start in the top of the second by picking up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the second, Boogie Lowitt, would lead off with a double. Matthew Davis, would then reach by getting hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A sharp single by Christian Starks, would load the bases with nobody out.
Lowitt, would be forced out at home as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. Pepperell, would get out of the second by turning a double play to keep the score tied at 0 heading to the third.
Rice, would strikeout the side for the second time in three innings to send it to the bottom of the third. Truitt Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Grubbs, would be tagged by the 3rd baseman after a grounder for the third out to send it to the fourth still scoreless.
Rice, fully in a groove, would pick up a fly out and a pair of strikeouts in the top of the fourth. Pickens, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning as we were still deadlocked at 0 heading to the fifth. Rice, would need just four pitches to get out of the top of the fifth as he forced two pop outs and a ground out. Pickens, would finally break the tie in the bottom of the fifth.
Everett Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Everett’s brother, Truitt, would advance him over to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Robert Turner, would drive in Everett with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Pickens. Rice, would help himself out by bringing in Turner with an RBI triple to make it 2-0. Jenkins, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Pickens.
After a pop out, Davis, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Davis, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Pepperell, would get out of the fifth with a ground out as Pickens would take a 3-0 lead into the sixth.
Rice, would end his outing the way he began it. For the third time in six innings of work, Rice would strikeout the side. Ending his night with 12 punch outs. In the bottom of the sixth, Pickens, would draw 6 walks in the bottom of the frame as 4 runs would come across to score to make it 7-0 heading to the seventh.
Turner, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh. T. Glenn, would lead off the seventh with a solo home run, to make it 7-1. Turner, would do a good job of settling in as he would pick up two ground outs and a strikeout to seal to the 7-1 win for Pickens.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 13 pitches
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 triple, 2 RBI, 1 run scored, and 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 12 K on 77 pitches
Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles and 1 RBI
Boogie Lowitt: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 HBP, 2 walks, 1 steal, and 1 RBI
Christian Starks: 1-1 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Truitt Grubbs: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 sacrifice bunt, and 1 run scored
The Dragons, the Pickens Dragons that is, will be back at Dunn Field on Friday, February 20th as they take on the Haralson County Rebels in a late night tilt. First pitch is set for 7 pm.
Dragons continue win streak against Bobcats
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 17, 2026
Ellijay, Ga — The 515 rivalry shifted to the diamond on Monday, February 16th as the Pickens Dragons made the short ride up to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 3-0, while the Bobcats, were 1-2. In a game that saw nearly double digit hit batsman, it was a 6-run sixth inning that broke things open for the Dragons as they came away with a 15-3 win in six.
Robert Turner, who has been a hitting machine to start the season, continued his early tear with a lead off single. Turner, would then show off the wheels as he would steal 2nd. Turner, would then advance to 3rd after a balk was called. AJ Rice, would bring in Turner after reaching on an error. After a ground out, Boogie Lowitt, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would advance to 3rd after a pop out by Matthew Davis.
Christian Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single that would score Rice to make it 2-0. Jennings Allen, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Bobcats, would get out of the top of the first with a ground out. Blake Grizzle, would lead off the bottom of the frame with a double. Grizzle, would come around to score after Cooper Cochran reached on an error to cut the lead to 2-1.
Peyton Chancey, would give the Bobcats 3-2 lead after a 2-run home run. Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would do a good job of settling down after giving up the home run as he picked up two ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second inning, the Bobcats, led the Dragons, 3-2.
In the top of the second, Turner, would reach for the second time with a 1-out single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rice, would follow with a single of his own to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with an RBI ground out to tie the game at 3. Jayden Grizzle, would lead off the bottom half of the 2nd with a double.
J. Grizzle, would be forced out at 3rd as Landen McClure reached on a fielder’s choice. After a strikeout, Blake Grizzle, would be hit by a pitch to keep the inning going. Jenkins, would throw out McClure trying to steal 3rd to send us to the third with the score still tied at 3.
Davis, would draw a walk to lead off the top of the third. Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Starks, would advance to 2nd after an error. Allen, would reach after drawing a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Brock Teal, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 1-out.
Drew Dunlap, would also be hit by a pitch to bring in Starks to make it 4-3 Dragons. Turner, would add to the lead as he would drive in Allen and Teal with a 2-RBI double to make it 6-3. Rice, would draw a walk to once again load the bases. The Bobcats, would escape further possible damage with an inning ending double play. After a long at bat, Cochran, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk.
After back to back strikeouts, Zander Shute, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Grubbs and the Dragons, would get out of the third after a line out to center to send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 6-3.
Lowitt, would be hit by the first pitch in the top of the fourth. Davis, would follow by drawing his second walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Lowitt and Davis, would then advance after a wild pitch. Starks, would also draw a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Lowitt, would come in to score as the Bobcats would turn a double play. Davis, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Teal, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons as he would be hit by a pitch for the second time in as many innings. The Bobcats, would get out of the fourth with a ground out as the Dragons led it, 7-3. MT Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Everett Grubbs in the bottom of the fourth. Jayden Grizzle, would lead off the inning by drawing a walk. McClure, would follow by reaching on a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Jayden Grizzle, would then be thrown out trying to steal 3rd. After a strikeout, McClure, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Crenshaw, would get out of the fourth with his 2nd strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons, led the Bobats, 7-3.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, would reach by getting hit by a pitch. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Jenkins, would then follow with a 1-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Tanner Bail, who came on as a defensive replacement for Lowitt in the bottom of the fourth, would drive in both Rice and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with a 2-RBI double to make it 9-3 Dragons. Davis, would then draw his third walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Bail would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Bobcats, would get out of the fifth after a force out at 2nd. Crenshaw, on in his second inning of relief, would work around a 2-out single by Jase McCollum as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons still led the Bobcats, 9-3.
Teal, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk. Truitt Grubbs, pitch hitting for Dunlap, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Turner, would drive in both Teal and Grubbs with a 2-RBI triple to make it 11-3. Rice, would follow that with an RBI triple of his own to make it 12-3. Jenkins, would keep the line moving with an RBI single to make it 13-3.
Kirchoff, would come in to pitch hit for Bail, and would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Courtesy runner Zach Williams and Kirchoff, would advance after a wild pitch. Jackson Walker, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Williams would be forced out at home. Starks, would bring in Kirchoff on an RBI ground out to make it 14-3. Allen, would drive in Walker with an RBI double to make it 15-3 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning.
Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Crenshaw in the bottom half of the sixth. Hulsey, would work around a lead off double and a single as he picked up two ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 15-3 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 triple, 2 steals, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored
AJ Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, 3 caught stealing, and 3 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-5 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 2 HBP, and 1 run scored
Tanner Bail: 1-1 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 3 walks
Jackson Walker: 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, and 1 walk
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Brock Teal: 1 walk, 2 HBP, and 2 runs scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 HBP, and 1 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1-1 with 1 double and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Everett Grubbs: 3 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 3 K on 56 pitches
MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 40 pitches
Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 17 pitches
The Dragons, will be back at Dunn Field on Thursday, February 19th as they take on the Pepperell Dragons in a battle of top ten teams. Pepperell, is ranked inside the top ten for 1A D-1. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Clutch moments help Dragons defeat Wolverines
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 14, 2026
Jasper, Ga — It was love and baseball on Saturday, February 14th as the Pickens Dragons took on the Walker School Wolverines for the third game of opening week. The Wolverines, were playing their second game of the day as they fell to North Atlanta 4-0. The Dragons, came in looking to complete a perfect week after defeating Northwest Whitfield and Sequoyah. Some late game offensive and defensive plays for the Dragons helped them pull away late and pick up a 5-1 win.
Jackson Nunn, got the start for the Dragons against the Wolverines. Nunn, would work around a 2-out single as he picked up a strikeout, a pop out, and a ground out in a scoreless top of the first. Robert Turner, would lead off the bottom of the frame with a single. After a line out and a fly out, Boogie Lowit, would reach with a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Wolverines, would get out of the first with a fly out.
In the top of the second, the Wolverines, were able to plate a run on 1 hit, 1 HBP, 1 wild pitch, and 1 ground out. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, the Wolverines, led it, by a score of 1-0.
M.T. Crenshaw, would come on in relief of Nunn in the top of the third. Crenshaw, would toss a scoreless frame to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Drew Dunlap, would reach with a lead off single. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. Turner, would reach after his second hit of the game. After Turner was picked off at 1st, AJ Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Dunlap would be thrown out at home.
A single by Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons. Lowit, would drive in Rice with a single to tie the game at 1. The Wolverines, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the game was now tied at 1 a piece.
Crenshaw, would keep the game tied after a scoreless top of the fourth with a strikeout and a pair of ground outs. In the bottom of the inning, Everett Grubbs, would try to start a rally by drawing a 2-out walk. Dunlap, would then reach by getting hit with a pitch. A wild pitch, would move the runners up a base. The Wolverines, would get out of the jam with a ground out as the game was still tied at 1 heading to the fifth.
Chase Hulsey, would come on in relief of Crenshaw in the top of the fifth. He would toss a scoreless frame with two strikeouts and a fly out. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a line out, Lowit, would pick up his second hit of the game with a single. Truitt Grubbs, would come up with a clutch hit as he would drive in Rice with a 2-out RBI single to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead heading to the sixth.
Hulsey, on in his second inning of relief, worked around a lead off single and a 2-out HBP as he kept the Wolverines off the board in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, Dunlap, would reach with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would come in as a pitch runner for Dunlap. The Wolverines, trying a snap throw over to 2nd, allowed Starks to advance to 3rd. Turner, would then draw a walk after a great at bat.
Turner, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Rice, would then draw his second walk of the game to load the bases. After an infield fly was called for the second out, Lowit, would come up big with a 2-out bases clearing double to give the Dragons a 5-1 lead heading to the seventh.
Elijah Barton, would come on in relief of Hulsey to try and close this one out. Barton, would work around a lead off walk and a 2-out HBP as he would pick up a ground out, a fly out, and a line out as the Dragons would come away with a 5-1 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 steal
AJ Rice: 2 walks and 3 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Dawson Lowit: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 walk, and 4 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 1 walk
Drew Dunlap: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 HBP
Christian Starks: 1 steal and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 1 HBP, 1 K on 30 pitches
MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Chase Hulsey: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 HBP, 3 K on 35 pitches
Elijah Barton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, on 17 pitches
The Dragons, will be on the road for the first time this season as they make the short drive up 515 to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats on Monday, February 16th. First pitch is set for 6:30 pm.
Dragons shut out Chiefs to move to 2-0
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 14, 2026
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 February 11, 2026
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.
Dragons season ends in extra innings
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 15, 2025
LaGrange, Ga — It was win or go home for both the Pickens Dragons and Troup County Tigers on Wednesday, May 14th as they were set to do battle in a series deciding game three. The winner, would go on to the AAA State Championship series where they would meet Cherokee Bluff. In a back and forth battle with a ton of drama and emotion, it was the Tigers that would come away with a 7-6 victory in 8 innings.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom half of the frame, D. Moncus and C. Walker would reach with back to back 1-out singles. After a line out, C. Wilson, would drive in Moncus with an RBI single. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a line out. Heading to the second, the Tigers led it, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would reach on a two base error. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a strikeout and a line out. In the bottom of the inning, J. Perry, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Perry, would then advance to 2nd on an error. Perry, would then move up to 3rd after a ground out. T. Delaney, would bring in Perry with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Tigers.
Delaney, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. A single by G. Edwards, would put runners at the corners with 1-out. Moncus, would drive in Delaney with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Edwards and Moncus, would then execute a double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. A sacrifice fly RBI by Walker, would bring in Delaney to make it 4-0. The Dragons, would get out of the second with a strikeout as the Tigers led 4-0 heading to the third.
In the top of the third, Matthew Davis, would lead off with the Dragons first hit of the game. He would be left stranded as the Tigers picked up a pop out, a line out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the third, Daven Abernathy, who came on to record the final two outs of the second, worked around a 2-out walk and hit batsman to keep the Tigers scoreless. Heading to the fourth, the Tigers still led the Dragons, 4-0.
Cade Sutton, would lead off the top of the fourth with a single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a strikeout, Christian Starks, would load the bases with the 3rd hit of the inning. Sam Hammontree, would put the Dragons on the board as he brought in Sutton with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 4-1.
Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Starks, would then move up a base after a balk was called. Davis, would draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Dawson Holland, would drive in both Dunlap and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-3. A.J. Rice, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to tie the game at 4. The Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the inning, Abernathy, would toss a 1-2-3 frame as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the game was tied at 4.
In the top of the fifth, Lowit, would look to get something going with a 2-out single. The Tigers, would get out of the fifth after a dropped 3rd strike. Abernathy, continued his stellar outing in relief in the bottom of the fifth as he picked up a fly out and a pair of ground outs to send it to the sixth with the score still deadlocked at 4.
In the top of the sixth, Davis, would draw a four pitch walk to reach 1st with one out. Holland, would then reach on a fielders’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would keep the inning going by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland and Rice, would then move up a base after a wild pitch. Jennings Allen, would draw a walk to load the bases.
The Tigers, would get out of the bases loaded jam by forcing a fly out. T. Dean, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Dean, would advance to 2nd after a sacrifice bunt. Delaney, would drive in Dean with an RBI single to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth after a fly out and a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Tigers led it, 5-4.
In the top of the seventh, Lowit, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. Starks, would follow that up with a double for his 2nd hit of the day. Down 0-2, Hammontree, would clutch up and drive in both pitch runner Ezra Faber and Starks with a 2-RBI single to give the Dragons a 6-5 lead. Davis, would then reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Holland, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day to load the bases. The Tigers, would yet again get out of a bases loaded jam after forcing a pair of fly outs. Heading to the bottom of the seventh, the Dragons led it, 6-5. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy for the bottom of the seventh. F. Baltzell, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would pick up a strikeout for the first out.
C. Mosley, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Dean, would bring in Baltzell with an RBI single to tie the game at 6. The Dragons, would get out of the seventh as Jenkins would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out. Heading to the eighth, the game was tied at 6.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the eighth after a pair of fly outs and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Edwards, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. Moncus, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After an intentional walk, Baltzell, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Edwards would be forced out at home. B. Willis, would bring in Moncus with an RBI single to give the Tigers the 7-6 win in 8 innings.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 1-5 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, and 3 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles, and 2 RBI
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
The Dragons end their season at 32-7 having made their deepest run in the State Tournament in school history. The Seniors, have been a part of building a program that has seen its most successful run to date. They leave not only the most winningest class in Pickens baseball history, but a standard for the classes after them to follow. Congratulations to the Pickens Dragons baseball team on a memorable season.
Dragons split doubleheader with Tigers; force deciding game three
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 14, 2025
LaGrange. Ga — The Final Four kicked off on Tuesday, May 13th as four teams were just two wins away from the AAA State Championship series. For the #8 seeded Pickens Dragons, they made the couple hour trip down to LaGrange to take on the #4 seeded Troup County Tigers. The Tigers, would take game one of the doubleheader, 8-0. Just when it looked like the Tigers were on the verge of a sweep, the Dragons would make a late come back to take game two, 5-4.
Game One:
The Dragons, would go quietly in the top of first after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. In the bottom half of the frame, D. Moncus would reach with a 1-out double. C. Walker, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. F. Baltzell, would then draw a walk to load the bases. B. Willis, would bring in Moncus with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Tigers.
An RBI sacrifice fly from C. Mosley, would drive in Walker to make it 2-0. Baltzell, would be thrown out at home as the Tigers attempted a double steal. Heading to the second, the Tigers led it, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would draw a full count walk to reach base. Christian Starks, would follow that up with a double. Lowit, would be thrown out at home trying to score from 1st. The Tigers, would get out of the second with a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would toss a scoreless inning with a pop out, a fly out, and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Tigers still led it, 2-0.
Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a lead off single. The Tigers, would get out of the third after a strikeout, a line out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Moncus, would reach with his 2nd hit of the day. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a line out, Baltzell, would be intentionally walked. Willis, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out.
Moncus and Baltzell, would both come in to score after an error to make it 4-0 Tigers heading to the fourth.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fourth after a pair of strikeouts and a line out. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers, would extend their lead by plating 4 runs on several hits, a walk, and a hit batsman. Heading to the fifth, the Tigers, led the Dragons, 8-0.
In the top of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, would reach with a 1-out single. After a strikeout, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Both runners would advance a base after a passed ball. The Tigers, would get out of the fifth with a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, Ezra Faber, who came on in relief of Nunn in the fourth, would work around some trouble to send it to the sixth with the Tigers still leading it, 8-0.
In the top of the sixth, Cade Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a double play. In the bottom of the inning, Faber, would work around a 2-out hit batsman and a wild pitch to keep the Tigers scoreless. Heading to the seventh, Troup led Pickens, 8-0.
Starks, would lead off the top of the seventh with his 2nd hit of the day. The Tigers, would turn their 2nd double play in as many innings to clear the bases. A 2-out single by Davis, would keep the inning going. The Tigers, would end the game with a strikeout as they would take the first game by a score of 8-0.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Cade Sutton: 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double and 1 single
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 2 singles
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single
Game Two:
The Dragons, were the home team for the second game. In the top of the first, C. Walker, would reach with a 2-out double. F. Baltzell, would drive in Walker with an RBI single. Baltzell, would be thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch it into a double. In the bottom of the first, A.J. Rice, would draw a lead off walk to reach 1st. After a pop out, Rice, would advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Rice, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to swipe the bag.
The Tigers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, the Tigers led the Dragons, 1-0.
Rice, the Dragons starter for game two, would keep the Tigers scoreless in the second as he picked up a ground out, as well as his 2nd and 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second with a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Tigers still led it, 1-0.
In the top of the third, the Tigers, would extend their lead with 3 runs on 2 hits, 2 passed balls, 2 steals, and 1 hit by pitch. Heading to the bottom of the third, the Tigers now led the Dragons, 4-0. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Holland, would reach with a 1-out single. After a strikeout, Rice, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out knock. Christian Starks, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Holland, would come in to score as Cade Sutton would draw the bases loaded walk to cut the lead to 4-1. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a fly out to send it to the fourth with Troup leading Pickens, 4-1.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would work around a 1-out walk to pick up a ground out, a strikeout, and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would draw a lead off walk. The Tigers, would turn their third double play of the series for the first two outs. A ground out, would send it to the fifth with the Tigers still leading it, 4-0.
Rice, would keep the Tigers at bay in the top of the fifth as he would work around a 2-out single to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at 2nd. Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Sutton, would then draw his 2nd walk of the game to load the bases.
The Tigers, would escape the bases loaded jam with a ground out. Heading to the sixth, the Tigers, still led the Dragons, 4-1.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, still on the mound nearing 100 pitches for the game, worked around a 1-out walk to strike out the side to bring his total to 9 on the night. In the bottom of the inning, Lowit, would lead off by getting hit by a pitch. Sam Hammontree, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Matthew Davis, would bring in Lowit with an RBI double to cut the lead to 4-2.
Holland, would follow that up with a 2-RBI double that would score pitch runner Ezra Faber, and Davis to tie the game at 4. After a strikeout, Holland, would move up to 3rd on a passed ball. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Starks, would bring in Holland with an RBI ground out to give the Dragons a 5-4 lead. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-4.
Rice, nearing the limit for pitches, came out to start the seventh, he would pick up his 10 strike out for the first out. G. Edwards, would reach with a 1-out single. Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Rice to try and close things out. Moncus, would reach on an error to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Walls, would come back to pick up a strikeout and a ground out to seal the 5-4 win for the Dragons and force a deciding game three.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, & 6.1 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 10 K on 118 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 2 walks and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk, 1 HBP, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single
Dylan Walls: 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 8 pitches
The third and final game of the series will take place on Wednesday, May 14th. The winner, will go on to the AAA State Championship series where they will take on the winner of game three between Cherokee Bluff and Peach County. First pitch time for game three between the Dragons and the Tigers is scheduled for 5 pm.
Dragons pull off shocker; Advance to Final Four
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 8, 2025
Harlem, Ga — A trip to the Final Four was on the line as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Harlem to take on the #1 seeded Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 7th. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs, were sporting a 107-3 record since 2023, and were ranked 10th in the nation by MaxPreps. The Dragons, came in winners of five straight, and were looking to avenge last year’s loss. The Dragons, would do just that as they swept the doubleheader, 8-3 and 5-1.
Game one:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, D. Titus would look to get something going by drawing a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. A. Fox, would give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead with a 2-run double. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the second, the Bulldogs led the Dragons, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Dawson Lowit, would follow by drawing a walk of his own. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come around to score as Matthew Davis reached on an error. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to bring in Lowit to tie the game at 2.
A.J. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at home. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, D. Smith would draw a 1-out walk. The Bulldogs, would then decide to test the arm of Kam Jenkins and Jenkins would throw out Smith at 2nd.
Starks, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to get out of the second and send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-2.
In the top of the third, Lowit, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would follow with a single to load the bases. Holland, would bring in both Lowit and pitch runner Ezra Faber with a 2-RBI single to make it 6-2 Dragons. Davis, would come in to score after Allen reached on a fielder’s choice.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 7-2.
In the top of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton and courtesy runner Dunlap, would move up a base on a dropped 3rd strike. Sutton would come in to score as Faber would reach on an error as the ball fell in between the pitcher and the 1st baseman.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. The Bulldogs, would look to get something started to begin the bottom of the fourth as A. Fox would draw a walk, and B. Knight would be hit by a pitch. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout, T. Lindo would reach with a 1-out single to load the bases.
Abernathy, would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out to get out of the jam and send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 8-2.
In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as the Bulldogs would pick up a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, D. Titus, would lead off with a double. Titus, would look to advance to 3rd after a passed ball, but he would be thrown out. W. Holder and S. Harshbarger would then reach with back to back singles.
The Dragons, would get out of the fifth after turning a 4-6-3 double play. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Harlem, 8-2.
The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth on a pair of strikeouts and a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, would pick up the first two outs on a pair of strikeouts. T. Lindo, would keep the inning alive for the Bulldogs with a 2-out single. D. Reed, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo with an RBI single to make it 8-3.
Abernathy, would get out of the sixth with his 3rd strikeout of the inning to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 8-3.
Faber, would lead off the seventh with a single. Davis, would move Faber up to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Faber, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Holland. The Bulldogs, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. W. Holder, would lead off the bottom of the seventh with a double. Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Abernathy. After an intentional walk, the Dragons would pick up a fly out for the first out.
Walls, would then force a pop out and a line out to close things out as the Dragons would take game one, 8-3.
Stats for the Dragons in Game one:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 54 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single
Ezra Faber: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K on 53 pitches
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches
Game two:
For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would be the home team. In the top of the first, D. Titus would draw a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow that up with a single. After the Dragons decided to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases for a chance at a force out at any base, starter A.J. Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the early jam.
The Dragons, would go down quietly in the bottom of the first on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Rice, would toss a 1-2-3 top of the second with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would follow that with an RBI double that scored Lowit to make it 1-0 Dragons. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch it into a triple. The Bulldogs, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
Rice, picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Georgia Southern commit Will Holder, would strike out the side to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0.
Rice, would continue his nice outing with a scoreless fourth inning as he picked up his 6th strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach on a 1-out triple. After a strikeout, Sutton, would come in to score as Lowit would reach on an error. Starks, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.
Pitch runner Zach Williams, would come around to score on a single by Sam Hammontree to make it 3-0 Dragons. Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Dawson Holland, would add to the lead with a 2-RBI double that scored Starks and Hammontree. It looked like Davis got under the tag, but he would be called out to end the fourth. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 5-0.
Rice, would pick up his 7th, 8th, and 9th strikeout in the top of the fifth as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on a line out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 5-0.
The Bulldogs, would look to make it a game in the top of the sixth as W. Spivey, D. Titus, and Holder, reached back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. Rice, would settle down as he picked up his 10th and 11th strikeout and a ground out to get out of the sixth without any damage done. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Harlem, 5-0.
Dylan Walls would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh to try and close things out. After a line out, T. Lindo, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Lindo, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. D. Smith, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. An RBI single by W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo to make it 5-1. Walls, would settle in and pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out.
Walls, would then get Holder to ground out to Rice at short. Rice would step on 2nd to force out Spivey and the Dragons would take game two, 5-1 to sweep the series and advance to the Final Four.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K on 105 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches
The Dragons, will have to be road warriors once again as they head down to LaGrange to take on Troup County in a best of three series starting on Tuesday, May 13th in a doubleheader.
Dragons sweep Grangers to punch Elite 8 ticket
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 2, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Sweet 16 for the GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Thursday, May 1st. The #8 seeded Pickens Dragons, hosted the #9 seeded LaGrange Grangers in a best of three series where the winner would advance to the Elite 8. Pitching and clutch hitting were on display for the Dragons on Thursday as they took game one 4-0, and waited out another storm to take game two, 8-1.
Game One:
Junior Christian Starks, got the call to start game one for the Dragons. Starks, would get off to a nice start as he would induce three ground ball outs in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Grangers starter Sinjon Lash, would begin his outing by striking out the side to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his first two strikeouts of the game and a fly out in a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the inning, Kam Jenkins, would lead off by drawing a full count walk. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would help himself out as he would drive in courtesy runner Drew Dunlap with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out of his own to make it 2-0. Matthew Davis, would then work the second full count walk of the inning to keep the bottom of the second going for the Dragons. Lash and the Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-0.
Cooper Stephens, would lead off the top of the third with a single for the first hit of the game for the Grangers. Starks, would work around that as he picked up his 3rd strike out, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, A.J. Rice, would lead off with a first pitch single. After a fly out, Rice would advance to 2nd after a pick off attempt got by the first baseman.
After a strikeout for the 2nd out, Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would advance to 2nd after an error by the right fielder. Sutton, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game as he would bring in the courtesy runner, Dunlap, with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Sutton, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd.
Starks, would keep the inning alive by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Hammontree, would come up unlucky as his liner was barely caught and held onto by Lane to end the third and send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 4-0.
Rob Skinner, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. The Grangers, would leave Skinner stranded at 3rd as Starks would get out of the fourth with three fly outs. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Holland, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Holland, would move up to 2nd after a ground out by Rice. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.
In the top of the fifth, after a line out and a strikeout for the first two outs, Kayden Sutton, would draw a walk to keep the inning going. Starks, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would reach base for a third time after being hit by a pitch with two outs. Sutton, would then be caught in a run down to end the fifth. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 4-0.
Grady Westmoreland, would lead off the top of the sixth with a single. After a fly out and a pop out, Westmoreland, would get into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Starks, would get out of the sixth with a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth after a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Starks for the top of the seventh. Brandon Bennett, thought he had a lead off line drive single, but Rice, would lay out and make a great catch for the first out. Lash, would hit a come backer off the foot of Walls. Walls, would stay with it and flip it to 1st for the second out. Walls, would seal the 4-0 win for the Dragons with a strikeout.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 walk, and 1 single
Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 87 pitches
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 15 pitches
Game Two:
For game two of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would become the visitors. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the first with a double play to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Grant Westmoreland, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, Westmoreland, would advance to 2nd after a ground out.
Mason Calhoun, would drive in Westmoreland with an RBI double to put the Grangers up 1-0. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would get out of the first with his 2nd strikeout of the inning. Heading to the second, LaGrange led Pickens, 1-0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a double. Cade Sutton, would follow that up by drawing a walk. Jenkins’ courtesy runner, Drew Dunlap, would take 3rd on a wild pitch. The Grangers, thought they had Dunlap picked off at 3rd, but a balk was called which led to Dunlap coming in to score to tie the game at 1. Sutton, would move up to 2nd on the call.
Christian Starks, would keep the line moving with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out to make it 2-1 Dragons. Starks, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Matthew Davis. The Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, Cooper Stephens, would reach with a 1-out single.
After a strikeout, Jackson Bozeman, would reach with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Rice, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-1.
The top of the third was a mirror of the first inning as Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the third with their 2nd double play of the game. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would strikeout the side to bring his total up to 7 for the game. As they were about to start the fourth, the rains came.
After a delay of about an hour or so, the two teams came back out onto the field to resume the game. In the top of the fourth, Starks, would reach with a 2-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Brandon Bennett, would lead off the bottom of the fourth, by getting hit by a pitch. Rice, still in as the starter, would settle down to strike out the side. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Grangers, 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, Dawson Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Rice, would help himself out by driving in Holland with an RBI double to make it 3-1. Allen, would reach base for a third time on the night as he drew a walk. Both Rice and Allen would advance after a passed ball on the play. Dawson Lowit, affectionately known as “Boogie”, would bring both Rice and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-1.
Jenkins, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 6-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the fifth with a pop out and a fly out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, Pickens led LaGrange, 6-1. Rice, would continue his dominance in the bottom of the fifth.
Rice, would pick up two ground outs and his 11th strikeout in a scoreless fifth inning. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 6-1.
In the top of the sixth, Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out, full count walk. He would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. The Grangers, would get out of the sixth with back to back strikeouts. Rice, would begin the bottom of the sixth by striking out his 12th batter. Mason Calhoun, would then reach on a dropped 3rd strike. He would advance to 2nd on an error.
Rice, would respond by picking up two more strikeouts giving him four for the inning, and 15 on the night. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 6-1.
Lowit, would lead off the top of the seventh by beating out an infield single. Lowit, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Jenkins, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would then draw his 3rd walk of the game to load the bases. Lowit, would come in to score and courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd as the Grangers would turn a double play.
Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with an RBI double to make it 8-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the frame, the Dragons led it, 8-1.
Rice, would come back out for the bottom of the seventh to try and finish the complete game. Rice, would start the bottom of the seventh by picking up his 16th strikeout. After a ground out to 1st for the second out, Rice, would pick up his 17th strikeout to finish off the complete game as the Dragons defeat the LaGrange Grangers 8-1 to advance to the Elite 8.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 HBP, 17 K on 109 pitches
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 HBP, and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 3 walks and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles
Sam Hammontree: 1-4 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The Dragons, will now wait to see who they will face and where they will be for the Elite 8. The Dragons, will face the winner of the Harlem/Whitewater series. Should Harlem win, the Dragons will be making the trip down to Augusta for the second straight year. Should Whitewater win, the Dragons will be hosting the Elite 8 series. The Elite 8, will begin on Wednesday, May 7th with a doubleheader. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 8th.
Dragons advance to fourth straight Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was the start of the AAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday, April 25th as the #8 seed Pickens Dragons, took on the #25 seed Dougherty Trojans in a best of three series in the first round. The Dragons, would take game one, 16-1 in four innings. Game two, was back and forth with the Dragons breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. After waiting out a line of storms, the Dragons defeated the Trojans in game two, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Game one:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. After a fly out, Rice, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. He would then move up to 3rd after a balk was called. Rice, would then come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to reach 1st. Kam Jenkins, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Dawson Lowit, would bring in Sutton to score after reaching on an error by the short stop. Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons.
Lowit, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowit and Davis with a 2-run single to make it 5-0. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Rice, would drive in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons after one.
Rice, would pick up where he left off in the top of the first as he struck out a pair and forced a ground out in a scoreless second. In the bottom of the second, Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Hammontree, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Davis, would bring in both Dunlap and Hammontree with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the third.
In the top of the third, Kingston Offord, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans with a lead off single. Offord, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, Offord, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Offord, would come in to score as Joshua Weaver would reach on an error to make it 10-1. Jenkins, would throw out Weaver trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons ahead, 10-1.
Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. The Trojans, would then pick up a double play as Sutton would line out to short, and Starks would be caught in no-man’s-land as he would get thrown out at 1st. The Trojans, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Dougherty, 10-1.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. Faber, would work around a 1-out walk as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Lowit, would lead off with a double. Hammontree, would then reach on an error as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff would advance to 3rd on the play. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.
Davis, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 11-1. Holland, would then drive in Hammontree with a single to make it 12-1. Allen, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-RBI triple to make it 14-1. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Rice, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 15-1.
Starks, would draw a walk to again put runners at the corners. Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to walk it off and seal the game one win for the Dragons, 16-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 walk on 49 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 3-3 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game two:
For game two, the teams flipped sides with Dougherty being the designated home team. In the top of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Rice, would be picked off at 2nd. It looked like he had gotten his foot underneath the tag, but he was called out. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.
Dragons starter Christian Starks, would toss a scoreless bottom of the first with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a double. An error by the left fielder, would allow Jenkins to come around to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sam Hammontree, would be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a fly out, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.
Jennings Allen, would then work a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. The Trojans, would get out of the bases loaded jam as they would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Starks, would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a ground out, a fly out and a pop out. The Trojans, would also go down in order in the bottom of the inning as Starks would induce three ground outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, it was more of the same for the Dragons as they went down 1-2-3 a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Miller, would reach with a lead off double. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. Courtesy runner Rodney Pruitt, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would then make a great play as he would catch a pop fly tailing into foul territory, and then turn and throw the back towards home.
A 2-out RBI single by Kameron Knighton, would bring in Pruitt to tie the game at 1. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the game all knotted up at 1.
Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a pop out, Holland, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Abernathy, hitting in Starks’ spot, would draw a walk to load the bases. The Dragons, thought they had taken the lead as it looked like Cade Sutton had reached on a fielder’s choice.
However, the umpires would call interference on Abernathy which meant Sutton would be called out, ending the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, after a strikeout, Kingston Offord, would reach on a 1-out single. Offord, would then advance to 2nd on a ground out. Offord, would then take a risk and steal 3rd with 2-outs. Brayden Still, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners.
Still, would then advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Abernathy, would settle in and pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 1.
In the top of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would reach on an error by the short stop. Hammontree and Matthew Davis, would then be hit by back to back pitches to load the bases with 1-out. Holland, would clear the bases with a 3-run triple to make it 4-1 Dragons. Allen, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-1. The Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Abernathy in the bottom of the sixth. After Walls forced a ground out for the first out, the storms came. After a couple hour delay, the game would resume. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Walls. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth as Lowit would throw out a would be base stealer, and Jenkins would induce a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-1.
In the top of the seventh, Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own. Lowit, would follow suit and draw a third straight walk to load the bases. Zach Williams, pitch-hitting for Hammontree, would bring in both Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 7-1. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 8-1.
After Davis was hit by a pitch, Holland, would draw a walk to load the bases. Allen, would bring in both Williams and Davis to make it 10-1. Holland, would then come in to score on a balk to make it 11-1. Allen, would come in to score on a passed ball to make it 12-1. The Trojans, would get out of the seventh with a double play. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 12-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would work around a 1-out hit batsman as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts as the Dragons defeated the Trojans, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 double and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 47 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, and 2 K on 19 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2 hit by pitch and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 walk and 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 35 pitches
Dylan Walls: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 5 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, advance to the Sweet 16 where they will take on the #9 seed LaGrange Grangers. LaGrange, swept the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the next round. The best of three series will begin on Thursday, May 1st, with a doubleheader. Times yet to be determined as of this writing.
Dragons split doubleheader with GAC to end regular season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2025
Norcross, Ga — The regular season of high school baseball was winding down as the Pickens Dragons took to the road to take on the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th. By virtue of their win on Tuesday, the Dragons, locked up the #2 seed in 6-AAA with an outside shot at the #1 seed. The Spartans, came in wanting to improve their post season ranking before they go off to their tournament. The Spartans, would take game two, 5-3. The Dragons, would come back to take game three, 7-5.
Game 1:
A.J. Rice, would lead off the top of the first with a single. The Spartans, would then turn a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the first as Sutton would be caught trying to take 3rd on a double steal attempt.
Z. Koons, would lead off the bottom of the first by getting hit with the first pitch he saw. D. Watkins, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Dragons, would then decide to intentionally walk J. Bowens to load the bases. After a strikeout, S. Phillips, would bring in Koons with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Spartans.
T. Joiner, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Spartans were ahead, 1-0.
Sam Hammontree, would look to get something started as he would draw a walk with 1-out. After a pop out for the second out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going for the Dragons with a 2-out single to load the bases. Rice, would give the Dragons the lead with a bases clearing 3-RBI double. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error by the short stop to put runners at the corners.
The Spartans, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, H. Glime, would lead off with a single. P. Wilson, would follow that by drawing a walk. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would force Koons to ground into a 4-3 double play. Glime, would advance to 3rd on the play. Watkins, would then drive in Glime with an RBI single to make it 3-2 Dragons.
Starks, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-2.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of pop outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the game for the first out. Philips, would reach after being hit by a pitch. After a ground out, M. Lazarus, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks, would get out of the third with his 3rd strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led it, 3-2.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the fourth by drawing a full count walk. He would be left stranded as the Spartans would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double. After a strikeout, Koons, would advance to 3rd after a throwing error. After intentionally walking Bowens, I. Cobb, would bring in both Koons and Bowens with a 2-RBI double.
The Dragons, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3.
The Dragons, would again go down quietly in the top of the fifth after a ground out, a fly out, and a dropped 3rd strike. After a fly out, Lazarus, would look to get something started for the Spartans by drawing a walk. Lazarus, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Glime, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, Koons, would draw a walk to load the bases. Walls, would pick up a strikeout to get out of the fifth and keep it a 4-3 game heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would look to get a rally going as he drew his 2nd walk of the game. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Davis, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Bowens, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to make it 5-3 Spartans.
Cobbs, would follow that up with a single. Phillips, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner R. Umphenour, would be forced out at 2nd. Walls, would get out of the sixth after forcing a double play. Heading to the seventh, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
After a ground out and a strikeout, Sutton, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk. The Spartans, were able to close things out with a ground out to take game one of the doubleheader, 5-3.
Stats for the Dragons in game one:
A.J. Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 3 RBI
Christian Starks: 4.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K on 89 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Sam Hammontree: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches
Game 2:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Ezra Faber, would work around a pair of back to back hit batsmen to get out of an early jam with a pair of ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a single. The Spartans, would clear the bases with a 4-6-3 double play. A ground out, would get the Spartans out of the second. Faber, would only need 9 pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the third by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a strikeout, A.J. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons.
The Spartans, would get out of the third after Starks would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Z. Koons, would pick up the first hit for the Spartans with a 1-out single. Koons, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a line out, the Dragons would intentionally walk J. Bowens, Faber, would force a line out for the second out.
A 2-out RBI single by I. Cobbs, would bring in Koons to tie the game at 1. M. Lazarus, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Bowens, would come in to score after a wild pitch. H. Glime, would bring in both Cobbs and Lazarus with a 2-RBI single. Glime, would advance to 2nd on the throw. T. Stopher, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Faber, would get out of the inning after a fly out. Heading to the fourth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-1.
In the top of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out single. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3. Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber in the bottom of the fourth. After a strikeout, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double.
D. Watkins, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Bowens, would bring in Koons with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a fly out.Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
Cade Sutton, would look to get something going for the Dragons as he drew a walk with 1-out. Jenkins, would follow that with a single. Lowit, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Hammontree, would then draw the third walk of the inning to bring in Sutton to make it 5-4. Holland, would draw the fourth walk of the inning as Jenkins would come in to score to tie the game at 5.
After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Hammontree, would come in to score as Allen would reach on an error by the short stop. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth after Rice would be robbed of a potential home run. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5. Glime, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a a walk.
Glime, would then be caught trying to steal 2nd. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, T. Joiner, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Joiner, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Abernathy, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
In the top of the sixth, Jenkins, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-out single. That would be all for the Dragons in the sixth as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pair of fly outs. Phillips, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After a fly out, Bowens, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy.
After a single by Cobbs to load the bases, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to keep the Dragons in front. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 7-5. After a fly out for the first out of the bottom of the seventh, Joiner and P. Wilson would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A passed ball, would lead to both Joiner and Wilson moving up a base.
Jenkins, would settle down and strikeout the next two batters to seal the 7-5 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 3 singles, 1 run scored and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K on 33 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 H on 58 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 52 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The Dragons, finish the 2025 regular season at 25-5. They will represent 6-AAA as the #2 seed in next week’s AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, will find out their seeding and who they will be facing on Monday, April 21st. The first round best of three series, will take place at Dunn Field with a doubleheader on Friday, April 25th with the “if” game on Saturday, April 26th if necessary.
Six run first leads Dragons past Spartans
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 16, 2025
Jasper, Ga — Tuesday, April 15th began the final week of the regular season for high school baseball. The Pickens Dragons, kicked off a crucial three game series with the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans. A win for the Dragons would secure the #2 seed out of 6-AAA and lock up a home playoff series in the first round of the State Tournament next week. For the Spartans, they would need to sweep the series to overtake the Dragons for the #2 spot. A six run first inning and a gem thrown by A.J. Rice, led the Dragons to a 6-1 win.
In the top of the first, Rice, the Junior Auburn commit, would work around Denzell Watkins reaching on a 1-out error, and Ian Cobbs reaching on a 2-out single as he picked up a ground out and two strikeouts in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the first, Rice, would lead off the inning with a solo home run to left center to put the Dragons ahead, 1-0. Christian Starks, would follow that by drawing a a full count walk to reach first.
Starks, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. Cade Sutton, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Kam Jenkins, would keep the line moving with a single. After a fly out, Sam Hammontree, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Dawson Holland, would bring in Sutton as he reached on a fielder’s choice. An RBI single by Ezra Faber, would drive in courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 4-0.
Jennings Allen, would bring in Holland with a single to make it 5-0. Allen and Faber, would then pull off a double steal as Allen took 2nd, and Faber swiped home to make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to bring the bats back up for the Dragons. In the bottom of the second, Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be forced out at 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led GAC, 6-0.
Trace Joiner, would lead off the top of the third by reaching on an error. After a fly out, Watkins, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Courtesy runner Rider Umphenour, would then advance to 3rd after an error on a pick off attempt at 1st. Jakobi Bowens, would then draw a walk to load the bases with still just 1-out. Rice. would collect himself and strikeout the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the third.
Hammontree, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to lead off the bottom of the third. After a strikeout, Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Faber, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Spartans, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens still led GAC, 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Trust Stopher to pick up a strikeout and a pair of ground outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Sutton, would look to get something going by drawing a a 2-out walk. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth as Sutton would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 6-0.
In the top of the fifth, Watkins, would reach with a 1-out single. Bowens, would then follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Dragons head coach Adam Williams, would then make the decision to intentionally walk Ian Cobbs to load the bases and to have a force out anywhere on the base paths. Henry Glime, would bring in Watkins with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 6-1.
Rice, and the Dragons, would get out of the fifth with a ground out to send it to the bottom half of the frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Hammontree, would keep his perfect night going with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded on first as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pop out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 6-1.
Rice, nearing 100 pitches for the game, came back out for the sixth. He would toss a scoreless frame with a pair of ground outs and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens still led GAC, 6-1.
Jenkins, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh. Jenkins, would sit down the Spartans in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to seal the win for the Dragons, 6-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 6 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 7 K on 104 pitches
Christian Starks: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 single, and 2 walks
Dawson Holland: 1 RBI and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
With the win, the Dragons have secured the #2 seed out of 6-AAA and a home playoff series for the first round of the AAA State Baseball Tournament. There is still a chance the Dragons win the region as they would need to sweep the series with GAC, and have North Hall drop one of their last two against Chestatee. For now, the Dragons will focus on the regular season ending doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th at GAC.
Dragons sweep War Eagles in doubleheader
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 12, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was doubleheader day around 6-AAA on Friday, April 11th as both Pickens and Chestatee, as well as White County and GAC both played two after getting rained out on Thursday, April 10th. For Pickens and Chestatee, Chestatee would be the home team for the first game. The Dragons, would get wins in both games as they picked up a 4-3 win in eight innings in game one, and a 10-0 victory in six innings in game two.
Game One:
A.J. Rice, would look to get something started in the top of the first as he would draw a walk to reach base. The War Eagles, were prepared for Rice’s steal attempt, and got him out in a rundown. A fly out, would send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Eli Chaffin, would reach with a 1-out double. Ethan Dunn, would then reach on a single, Chaffin, would come around to score to make it 1-0 War Eagles.
Dunn, would advance to 2nd on the play. Carter Edmondson, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Dunn would be forced out at 3rd. Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the second, Chestatee led Pickens, 1-0.
Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the second by drawing a walk. Cade Sutton, would then follow that up with a single. Lowit, would advance all the way to 3rd on the hit. Sutton, would make the heads up play and move to 2nd on the throw to 3rd. War Eagles starter Ryland Head, would pick up a strikeout, a pop out, and a line out to get out of the jam to send it to the bottom of the second.
Trenton Eaton, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. After a pop out, Zac Benna, would reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Thomas Martens, would then reach with a single. Courtesy runner Riley Nix, would be waved home, but a good throw by Christian Starks would get Nix at the plate. Heading to the third, the War Eagles, still led the Dragons, 1-0.
Jennings Allen, would lead off the top of the third with a single. Allen, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI triple to tie the game at 1. After a fly out, Starks, would bring in courtesy runner Ezra Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Head and the War Eagles, would get out of the third with a line out.
In the bottom of the third, Nunn, would work around a 2-out double by Edmondson, and a wild pitch to keep the War Eagles scoreless. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 2-1.
After a pop out and a strikeout started the top of the fourth, Sam Hammontree, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons after getting hit by a pitch. Dawson Holland, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the fourth with a line out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cort Hagerman, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Benna, would drive in Hagerman with an RBI triple to tie the game at 2.
Parker Grant, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Benna would be forced out at home for the second out. Martens, would bring in Grant with an RBI double to give the War Eagles a 3-2 lead. During the next at bat, Nunn, would have to unfortunately leave the game due to injury. Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Nunn. Walls, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout as the War Eagles took a 3-2 lead into the fifth.
Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth inning. His courtesy runner, Ezra Faber, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would advance Faber to 3rd after a fly out to right. Starks, would bring in Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to tie the game at 3. Lowit, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth, Dunn, would lead off with a single. Walls, in his first full inning of relief, would pick a strikeout and force a 4-6-3 double play to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 3.
In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would again be hit with a pitch to reach base with 1-out. Holland, would follow that by picking up his 2nd hit of the day to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a 6-3 double play. In the bottom of the sixth, Walls, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Benna to pick up a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh, still tied at 3.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then be called out trying to steal 2nd as the field umpire ruled that Rice’s foot popped up off the bag. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Walls, would work around a 2-out single by Dunn as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the eighth with the game still tied at 3.
In the top of the eighth, Lowit, would give the Dragons the lead with a lead off home run. Sutton, would follow that with a double. Faber, who came on for Matthew Davis in the fifth, would move Sutton over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. The War Eagles, would get out of the eighth with a pop out and a fly out as the Dragons would take a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the frame.
Walls, would come out for the bottom of the eighth looking to close things out. Walls, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to help seal the 4-3 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 triple, 1 HBP, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Christian Starks: 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 1 single and 1 double
Ezra Faber: 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 2 HBP
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 3.2 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 58 pitches
Dylan Walls: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K on 75 pitches
Game Two:
Prior to game two beginning, the Dragons recognized two special people in Hudson and Kodi as it was Pink Out Night. Two young men representing both families, would throw perfect strikes for the ceremonial first pitch to the applause of the crowd.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would strike out the side to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the first, Starks, would be hit by a pitch with 2-outs to keep the inning going. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a ground out to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his 4th strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the second, Cade Sutton, would lead off with a single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. The Dragons, would then pull off a double steal as Davis took 2nd and Sutton took home to make it 1-0.
After a pop out, Dawson Holland, would then drive in Davis with an RBI triple to make it 2-0 Dragons. Holland, would then get caught in a rundown between 3rd and home for the second out. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 2-0.
In the top of the third, Starks, continued his nice start with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. He would advance to 2nd after an error by the short stop. Starks, would drive in Rice with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Dawson Lowit, would follow that with an RBI single to score Starks to make it 4-0 Dragons.
Sutton, would then reach with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a pop out, Sam Hammontree, would bring in pitch runner Daven Abernathy with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 5-0.
Thomas Martens, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. Eli Chaffin, would follow that with a single. Chaffing, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would get out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Allen, would lead off with a single.
Allen, would take 2nd to get into scoring position. Allen, would then advance to 3rd after a wild pitch. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as the War Eagles would force the out at 2nd. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Starks, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Another wild pitch, would move up Rice and courtesy runner Zach Williams up a base. After a pop out for the second out, Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases. Rice, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 7-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
In the top of the fifth, Zac Benna, would reach on an error with 2-outs. Starks, would work around it as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Hammontree, would lead off with a single. After a strikeout, Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in all the way from 1st to make it 8-0. Allen, would make it all the way to 3rd on an error.
Jenkins, would bring in Allen with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0 Dragons. Rice, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Chestatee, 9-0.
Jenkins, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the sixth. Martens, would reach by drawing a lead off walk. Martens, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Chaffins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After forcing an infield fly, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning.
Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Lowit, would draw a lead off walk to begin the bottom of the sixth. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Walker, would by hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would then reach on a bloop single to load the bases. Dunlap, would come in to score on a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 10-0 win in six innings.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K on 25 pitches
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 5 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 10 K on 82 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Drew Dunlap: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 double
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored
The Dragons, winners of ten in a row, will look to finish the season strong as they prepare for the final series of the regular season as a three game set with the GAC Spartans begins on Tuesday, April 15th at Dunn Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons win 8th straight in series opening shutout
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 9, 2025
Jasper, Ga — On Tuesday, April 8th, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to Dunn Field for game one of their three game set. The Dragons, were coming off their second straight sweep, while the War Eagles, were looking to bounce back after getting swept by GAC. Prior to the game, the all-time home run leader for the Dragons, Jake King, made an appearance and added to his record against the War Eagles. As for the game, Christian Starks and Kam Jenkins both went deep, and A.J. Rice, Ezra Faber, and Daven Abernathy combined for the shut out as the Dragons won it, 9-0.
In the top of the first, the Auburn commit, Rice, would strike out the side on 10 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Rice, would look to get something going as he reached with a 1-out single. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Rice and Lowit, would then pull off a double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Rice, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. Lowit and Sutton would also move up on the play. Matthew Davis, would then drive in both Lowit and Sutton with a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Davis, would move up to 2nd on the play. Sam Hammontree, would then be hit with a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a fly out as the Dragons led it, 3-0 heading to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Trenton Eaton as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a single. Allen, would be caught trying to steal 2nd as he slid off the bag just a bit. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk to reach. Rice, would bring in the courtesy runner, Daven Abernathy, with an RBI triple to make it 4-0.
Christian Starks, would then send one over the left-center field wall for a 2-run home run to make it 6-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sutton, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out to center. Heading to the third, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.
Ryland Head, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd for the first out. After Rice picked up his 7th strikeout, Thomas Martens, would draw a walk to keep the inning alive for the War Eagles. Rice, would end the third with his 8th strikeout. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the third with a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 6-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would pick up a ground out and his 9th and 10th strikeout in a scoreless frame to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Rice, would reach with a 1-out double. The War Eagles, would get out of the inning with back to back fly outs to send it to the fifth with the Dragons still ahead, 6-0.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fifth. Faber, would work around a single and a walk to keep the War Eagles scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would lead off with a single. He would then advance to 2nd after a ground out. Hammontree, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be forced out at 3rd. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading, 6-0.
Faber, in his second inning of relief, would work around a lead off single in the top of the sixth as he picked up a strikeout, and a pair of pop outs to send it to the bottom of the frame. Allen, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Jenkins, would then send one down the left field line as it stayed just fair for a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to reach base.
Rice, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, an RBI single by Lowit, would bring in Rice to make it 9-0 Dragons. Sutton, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a grounder to 1st to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 9-0.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber for the top of the seventh. Abernathy, would work around a walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to seal the 9-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 walk, 1 RBI, 3 runs scored & 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 10 K on 58 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-4 with 1 single and 2 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 28 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 19 pitches
The Dragons, will look to keep their winning way going as the series with the War Eagles will shift over to Chestatee on Thursday, April 10th for game two. The first pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:55 pm.