Dragons move to 8-0 after shutting out Ringgold
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 26, 2026
Jasper, Ga — It was a cool, rainy day at the ball field as the Pickens Dragons took on the Ringgold Tigers on Wednesday, February 25th. The Dragons, came into the game with a 7-0 record. The Tigers, came into the game with a 3-4 record with wins over Dalton, Heritage, and Northwest Whitfield. The Dragons, behind starter AJ Rice, and an offense that broke things open in fifth, were able to pick up the win, 9-0.
Rice, got off to a fast start on the mound as he would strikeout the side on 14 pitches in the top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, would look to get a 2-out rally going as Kam Jenkins and Dawson Lowitt, would reach with back to back singles. The Tigers, were able to get out of the potential jam with a strikeout to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.
Rice, would make quick work in the top of the second as he would again strikeout the side. This time, Rice would only need 11 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the second with a hustle double. Jennings Allen, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0. Allen, would make it to 2nd on the throw home.
Everett Grubbs, would do a job and move Allen over to 3rd with a ground out. Truitt Grubbs, would bring in Allen with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0 Dragons heading to the third.
After Rice picked up his 7th strikeout to start the third inning, the Tigers, would have their first base runner of the evening as M. Cummings would draw a walk. Rice, would come back with his 8th strikeout for the second out. G. Haddock, would keep the inning going for the Tigers by drawing a 2-out walk. Rice, would settle in and pick up his 9th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Jenkins, would reach on a dropped 3rd strike. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Lowitt, would move Kirchoff over to 3rd after a fly out to right. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Ringgold, 2-0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would induce back to back ground outs for the first two outs of the frame. The Tigers, would look to get something going as R. Blankenship, would draw a 2-out walk. Rice, would end the fourth with his 10th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. Allen, would reach on a 1-out single for his 2nd hit of the day. Allen, would score on an RBI double by Everett Grubbs to make it 3-0 Dragons.
The Tigers, would get out of the fourth after a pop out to right, and a ground out to 2nd as Grubbs would be left stranded. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Tigers, 3-0.
Rice, would pick up his 11th and 12th strikeout and a ground out in the top of the fifth as he would close out his night on the mound on a high note. Rice, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A single by Lowitt, would load the bases with nobody out. Drew Dunlap, on to pitch hit for Matthew Davis, would bring in Rice after drawing a walk.
Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch. Pitch runner Tanner Bail and Dunlap, would also advance on the play. Starks, would load the bases again by drawing a walk. Allen, would drive in both Bail and Dunlap with a 2-RBI double. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd even though it appeared he got in under the tag. After a pop out for the second out, Truitt Grubbs, would draw a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
The Tigers, would get out of the fifth with a ground out as the Dragons would head to the sixth with a 7-0 lead over the Tigers.
MT Crenshaw, would come in to pitch in the top of the sixth for the Dragons. H. Fries, would pick up the Tigers first hit of the game with a 1-out single. Crenshaw, would get out of the sixth with a pop out and a line out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, who led off the bottom of the fifth, would come up again to lead off the bottom of the sixth and reach with a double.
Jenkins, would trade places with Rice as he would drive him in with an RBI double to make it 8-0. Bail, who came on as a replacement for Lowitt in the top of the inning, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a pop out, Kirchoff and Bail, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Starks, would draw his second walk of the game to load the bases with 1-out.
Allen, would bring in his 4th RBI of the game as he would reach on a fielder’s choice. Kirchoff, would come in to score and Starks would be forced out at 2nd on the play. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Ringgold, 9-0.
Crenshaw, came back out for the top of the seventh to try and close things out. Crenshaw, would do just that as he would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to preserve the shutout as the Dragons picked up the win, 9-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
AJ Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 runs scored and 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 12 K on 83 pitches
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 2-3 with 2 singles
Tanner Bail: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-4 with 1 double and 1 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
MT Crenshaw: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches
The Dragons, will be on the road for their final non-region game before region play starts as they make the trip up to Blue Ridge to take on the Fannin Rebels on Saturday, February 28th. First pitch is scheduled for 12 pm.
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 drop road game against Ringgold
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 1, 2025
Ringgold, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip up to Ringgold on Friday, February 28th as they took on the Tigers in their final non-region game before 6-AAA play started. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 8-0. The Tigers, were 5-3. After trailing 7-1, the Tigers, would come back to pick up an 8-7 win over the Dragons.
A.J. Rice, looked to get things started early for the Dragons as he reached on lead off single. The Tigers, would induce a double play to clear the bases. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive as he would reach base after an error. Tigers starter Wesley Blair, would get out of the inning with a ground out. The Tigers, looked to put some runs up early as they would pick up a pair of walks and a single to load the bases with nobody out.
Dragons starter Christian Starks, was able to get out of the bases loaded jam as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.
Sam Hammontree, would reach with a 1-out single. Dawson Holland, would follow that up with a single of his own. Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. A 2-RBI single by Jennings Allen, would score both Hammontree and Holland to make it 2-0 Dragons. Davis and Allen, would come around to score as Rice would reach on an error.
Rice, would then make his way home as Starks would reach on an error to make it 5-0 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the top of the second with a double play trailing the Dragons, 5-0. Blair, would reach on an error to lead off the bottom of the second. The Dragons defense, would then turn a 4-6-3 double play to clear the bases. Cade Broom, would keep the inning going by drawing a 2-out walk.
Starks, would get out of the second with his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the third with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 5-0.
In the top half of the third, Dawson Lowitt, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Lowitt, would then take 2nd after a throwing error on a pick off attempt. Hammontree, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Holland, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd.
Davis, would drive in both Lowitt and Holland with a double to make it 7-0 Dragons. The Tigers, would get out of the inning with a ground out to send it to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Jackson Black, would lead off with a single. Garrett Edgar and Eli Crew, would follow with back to back walks to load the bases with nobody out. Haddon Fries, would drive in Black with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 7-1.
Starks, would get out of the inning by inducing a 4-6-3 double play to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 7-1.
Starks, would look to get something going for the Dragons as he would reach on an error with 1-out. Sutton, would follow by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks and Sutton, would then advance up a base after a passed ball. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a pop out and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth with the Dragons leading, 7-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers, would draw a few walks as well as take advantage of some errors by the Dragons as they would plate 5 runs to get back into the game. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons, were hanging on to a 7-6 lead.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fifth as the Tigers would force a pair of fly outs and a line out. Daven Abernathy, who came on in relief in the bottom of the fourth, would work around a 1-out walk in the bottom of the fifth as the Dragons would send it to the sixth, clinging to a 7-6 lead.
In the top of the sixth, the Dragons, would again go down in order as the Tigers would pick up a ground out and two strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the frame, Crew, would reach first on an error with 1-out. Fries, would follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A wild pitch, would allow pitch runner Franklin Helsel and Fries to move up a base.
Helsel, would then come in to score on a fielder’s choice. Fries, would also come in to score after a fielder’s choice as the Tigers would take an 8-7 lead into the seventh.
Sutton, would lead off the top of the seventh with a single. Kam Jenkins, would then follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A ground out by Lowitt, would advance the runners over to 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would end the game with a double play as Ringgold would hold on to defeat Pickens, 8-7.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 5 BB, 3 K on 66 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk
Dawson Lowitt: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, March 4th as they begin 6-AAA play with a three game series against the White County Warriors. The first game of the series will be at White County with a first pitch time scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Sutton’s big day helps Dragons stay undefeated
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 28, 2025
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, February 27th, the Pickens Dragons took on the Fannin County Rebels for the other half of rivalry week. All three “515” teams, Pickens, Gilmer, and Fannin, scheduled each other this week as region play for each team looms. The Dragons, got a big game from Senior Cade Sutton as he helped lead the Dragons to an 8-3 win over the Rebels.
Sophomore Jackson Nunn got the start for the Dragons. The Rebels, would strike first as Carson Callihan, would send one out to left field where a nice breeze was blowing, and it would carry over the fence for a home run. After a fly out for the second out, Paul Stroemer Jr and Gavin Davis, would draw back to back walks to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Nunn, would get out of the inning by forcing a pop out to send it to the bottom of the first with the Rebels up, 1-0.
Junior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, would get things started in the bottom of the first for the Dragons as he led off with a single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would then take 3rd after a wild pitch. After a pop out, Cade Sutton, would send a shot over the left field fence to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. After a ground out, Dawson Lowitt, would keep the inning alive by drawing a walk. Sam Hammontree, would then follow with a single.
The Rebels, would get out of the first with just the 2 runs given up as Hammontree would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the top of the second, Pickens led Fannin, 2-1.
Nunn, would begin the second inning by picking up the first two outs fairly quickly. Tucker Dockery, would keep the inning going for the Rebels with a 2-out double. Elijah Weaver, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Callihan, would come up and lace a double into the left center gap that would score both courtesy runner Heath Bradburn, and Weaver to make it 3-2 Rebels.
Nunn, would get out of the top of the second with a pop out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom half of the frame, Matthew Davis, would lead off by getting hit with a pitch. He would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch to get into scoring position. Jennings Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A deep fly out to center by Rice, would allow Davis to advance to 3rd.
Allen, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Christian Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be tagged out at home. Allen, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would steal 2nd to move into scoring position. Sutton, would keep his good night going as he would drive in both Allen and Starks with a 2-RBI double to make it 4-3 Dragons heading to the third.
Nunn, would only need four pitches to get out of the top of the third as he forced two ground outs and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, Hammontree, would reach after his second single of the day. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rebels starting pitcher Mason McDaniel, would force a fly out and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-3.
Nunn, would again have a short inning of work as he would only need 6 pitches to pick up a strikeout and two ground outs to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Starks, would reach with his first hit of the day with a 2-out single. He would then steal both 2nd and 3rd. Sutton, would then reach after an error which allowed Starks to come in to score to make it 5-3.
After Kam Jenkins beat out an infield hit, Lowitt, would bring in Sutton with a single to make it 6-3 heading to the top of the fifth.
Ezra Faber would come on in relief of Nunn in the top of the fifth. Callihan, would draw a 1-out walk to reach first. Callihan, would advance to 2nd as Colton Grey was thrown out at 1st after a ground out. Faber, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fifth, Davis, would draw a 1-out walk to reach.
Davis, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. Rice, would then draw a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Rebels, would get out of the fifth without any damage done after a pop out to send it to the sixth, Pickens leading, 6-3.
Gavin Davis, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk. After a strikeout for the first out, Davis, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Bristol Hughes, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would look to steal 3rd, but Jenkins would throw him out for the second out. Faber, would then come back from a 3-1 count to pick up his second strikeout of the inning to send it to the bottom of the sixth.
Sutton, would pick up his 3rd hit of the night as he led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Jenkins, would be thrown out at 1st after a ground out to 3rd. Sutton, would then try to take 3rd on the throw to 1st. The ball would get by the third baseman and Sutton would come in to score to make it 7-3.
Hammontree, would keep the inning going for the Dragons as he would reach on an error. Hammontree, would come around to score after Dawson Holland, would reach on an infield single. The ball would get away after a throwing error allowing Hammontree to come in to score to make it 8-3 heading to the seventh.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber to try and close things out in the top of the seventh. Abernathy, would toss a 1-2-3 seventh as he forced two ground outs and a fly out on just 6 pitches. The Dragons, defeat the Fannin County Rebels, 8-3.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 3 steals, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 3-4 with 1 home run, 2 singles, 2 steals, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Dawson Lowitt: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 hit by pitch, 1 walk, and 1 steal
Jennings Allen: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 4 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K on 53 pitches
Ezra Faber: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 3 K on 45 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB on 6 pitches
The Dragons, will be back in action on Friday, February 28th as they hit the road to take on the Ringgold Tigers. This will be the final non-region game for the Dragons before 6-AAA play starts next week. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 pm.