Dragons defeat Shiloh on Senior Night
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The rain held off long enough for there to be high school baseball on Wednesday, April 17th as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Shiloh Generals for Senior Night. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 24-4 overall, 17-1 in 7-AAA, and ranked #2 in AAA. The Generals, came into the game 5-19 overall, and 1-15 in 6-AAAAAA Sub-Region B. In something you don’t see everyday, the Dragons drew more walks (14) than they had hits (6) in their 11-1 win.
In the top of the first, Senior starter for the Dragons, James Tilley, needed just 8 pitches to get out of the inning as he picked up his 1st strikeout, and two ground outs. In the bottom of the frame, Senior Connor Shouse, Senior Trey Payne, and Cade Sutton, drew three straight walks to load the bases with no one out. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Shouse with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Senior Trace Ledbetter, would then reach on an error as both Trey Payne and Sutton would come in to score to make it 3-0. After Christian Starks and Senior Tyler Payne drew back to back walks to load the bases once again, Dawson Holland would bring in Ledbetter by drawing a walk on a full count to make it 4-0 Dragons, The Generals, would get out of the first by getting a double play. Going to the second, Pickens led Shiloh, 4-0.
In the top of the second, Tilley, tossed a scoreless inning as he forced a ground out, and picked up two more strike outs to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Shouse, would reach by getting hit with a pitch. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A single by Trey Payne, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Sutton, would then draw his 2nd walk to load the bases.
Jenkins, would drive in Shouse with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-o Dragons. Ledbetter, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Trey Payne, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 6-0. Starks, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out to make it 7-0. The Generals, would get out of the second with a fly out. Going to the third, Pickens led Shiloh, 7-0.
In the top of the third, the Generals, would have their first base runner of the game as Nathan Miller would reach after an error. Miller, would then be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Tilley and the Dragons, would get out of the third after a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Holland would lead off with a single. Shouse, would reach base for a 3rd time with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would advance to 3rd, while Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. The Generals, would force a pop up to center for the third out. Going to the fourth, Pickens still led Shiloh, 7-0.
Senior Tate Hales came on in relief of Tilley in the top of the fourth. Anthony Vu, would look to get things going for the Generals as he led off with their first hit of the game. His courtesy runner, Brayden Brown, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Brown, would then steal 3rd. Traden Davis, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with nobody out.
Davis, would be thrown out by Jenkins as he tried to steal 2nd. Kendrick Green, would then draw a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. Green, would advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Brown, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 7-1. Green, would advance to 3rd on the same pitch. Hales and the Dragons, would get out of the 3rd after a pop up to 1st and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ledbetter, would reach for the 3rd time as he drew his 2nd walk of the game with 1-out. Tyler Payne, would keep the inning going with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. The Generals, were able to force a fly out to get out of the fourth without any damage done. Going to the fifth, Pickens led Shiloh, 7-1.
Senior Cason Cannon, came on in relief of Hales in the top of the fifth. Cannon, would get the Generals in order as he picked up a ground out and two strikeouts. Going to the bottom of the inning, it remained 7-1 Pickens. In the bottom of the fifth, A.J. Rice, would lead off by reaching on a single. He would advance to 2nd on an error. After a fly out, Trey Payne and Sutton would both be hit by pitches to load the bases with 1-out.
Ledbetter, would come through for the Dragons as he drove in Rice and Payne with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-1. Sutton would advance to 3rd on the hit. Ledbetter, would move up to 2nd on a passed ball to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Generals, would force a pop out to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading Shiloh, 9-1.
Senior Brodie Keener came on in relief of Cannon in the top of the sixth. Keener, would work a scoreless frame with a strikeout, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Tyler Payne would lead off by drawing a walk on a full count. Daven Abernathy, would come in to pitch run for Tyler as he came out of the ball game to a nice ovation from the crowd.
Kyle Grno, who came on as a defensive substitution for Holland in the top of the inning, stayed in the game to hit and drew a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Jennings Allen, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, also drew a walk to load the bases. Coleman Keener, who came on as a defensive substitution for Shouse in the top of the inning, would bring in Abernathy after drawing a bases loaded walk to make it 10-1 Dragons.
Sam Dart, who came on as a defensive substitution for Trey Payne in the top of the sixth, would draw a walk on a full count to bring in Grno as the Dragons would get the win on Senior Night, 11-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 3 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 4 RBI
Christian Starks: 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Sam Dart: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Kyle Grno: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1 walk
James Tilley: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 36 pitches
Tate Hales: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB on 24 pitches
Cason Cannon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 16 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 15 pitches
While it was Senior Night on Wednesday, April 17th, the Dragons will be right back on the turf of Dunn Field on Thursday, April 18th as they take on the Dominion Christian Knights in the final game before the 3A State Tournament. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
6-run second inning helps Dragons defeat Indians
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Despite the rain, the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin Indians began their three game region series on Tuesday, April 9th. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 21-3 overall, 14-1 in 7-AAA, ranked #2 in AAA, and riding a 12-game win streak. The Indians, came into the game 12-10 overall, and 6-6 in 7-AAA. Prior to the game, the Dragons held a ceremony to honor those who were battling breast cancer. They wore special pink jerseys for the game that read “family”. A big second inning helped the Dragons pick up a 7-2 win over the Indians.
In the top of the first, the Indians looked to strike early as Harper Davenport reached by drawing a full count walk. Davenport would advance to 2nd after stealing the bag. Alejandro Narvaez, would follow by also drawing a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Indians, would then pull off a double steal as Davenport stole 3rd, and Narvaez stole 2nd.
Dragons starter Connor Shouse, would settle himself down and get out of the jam by striking out the next three batters to leave the runners stranded. In the bottom half of the first, Shouse, would lead off by drawing his own walk. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. After an 11 pitch at bat between Cade Sutton and Narvaez, Narvaez got Sutton to pop out.
The Indians, would get out of the inning as Payne would be picked off trying to take 2nd. Going to the top of the second, Pickens and Lumpkin were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Hayden Gilbert would lead off with a single. After Shouse picked up his 4th strikeout of the game, Gilbert, would get into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Shouse, would focus in and strikeout the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the second. Kam Jenkins, led off the bottom of the second by getting hit with a pitch. Trace Ledbetter, would follow with a single.
Dawson Holland, would reach with a single to load the bases with no one out. Tyler Payne, would bring in courtesy runner JP Nunn with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0. Christian Starks, would then smack a double that would score pitch runner Sam Dart to make it 2-0. A.J. Rice, would keep the line moving as he drove in Holland and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons.
Shouse, would lace a double down the left field line that would score Rice all the way from 1st to make it 5-0. After stealing 3rd, Shouse would come in to score after an RBI single from Trey Payne to make it 6-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would again be hit with a pitch to keep the inning alive. The Indians, would get out of the frame with a fly out. Going to the third, Pickens led Lumpkin, 6-0.
In the top of the third, Shouse got Davenport to fly out to Starks in left for the first out. Narvaez, would then draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach. Narvaez, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Tyler Boggs, would bring in Narvaez with an RBI single to make it 6-1. Courtesy runner Kendal Lee, would advance to 2nd as Peyton Wood grounded out to 3rd. Jenkins, would throw out Lee trying to steal 3rd to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, After Narvaez got the first two outs of the inning via pop out and strikeout, Starks, kept the inning going by getting hit with a pitch. Narvaez, would get out of the third with a ground out. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Lumpkin, 6-1.
Shouse, started off the top of the fourth with a fly out and his 7th strikeout. Mason Hester, kept the inning alive for the Indians with a single. Hester, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Shouse, would pick up his 8th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth with the Dragons leading, 6-1. Shouse, led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. He would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position for Trey Payne.
Narvaez, would catch Shouse in between steps as Shouse would be tagged out after a bit of a rundown. Narvaez, would then pick up two strikeouts to send it to the fifth with Pickens leading Lumpkin, 6-1.
JP Nunn, would come on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fifth. He would pick up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Narvaez, would be hit by a pitch on a 2-2 count to keep the inning alive for the Indians. Narvaez, would then swiped 2nd for his 3rd steal of the game. Narvaez, would add a 4th steal for the game as he took 3rd. Nunn, would leave Narvaez stranded at 3rd as he picked up his 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, Ledbetter would look to get things going as he reached base with a 1-out single. Holland, followed with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Tyler Payne, would pick up his 2nd RBI of the game as he drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 7-1 Dragons. Narvaez, would use his quick pick off move to get pitch runner Coleman Keener at 1st for the second out.
Narvaez, would get out of the fifth having just given up the one run. Going to the sixth, Pickens now led Lumpkin, 7-1.
In the top of the sixth, Nunn, would work his second inning of relief as he forced a pop out, picked up his 4th strikeout, and ended the inning forcing a ground out as Shouse made a great play to snag it on the short hop. In the bottom of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would hit a deep drive to left field that would one hop the wall for a ground rule double. He would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Grant Hallman, who came on in relief of Narvaez, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the inning and a fly out as Lowit would be left stranded. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Lumpkin, 7-1.
Brodie Keener, came on in relief of Nunn in the top of the seventh to try and finish the game off. He would get the first batter he faced as he would be thrown out at 1st after a dropped 3rd strike. Dakota Bennett, would draw a full count walk with 1-out to reach. Bennett, would swipe 2nd to get into scoring position with 2-out. Davenport, would drive in Bennett with an RBI double to make it 7-2.
Keener, would end the game by striking out Narvaez as the Dragons came away with the 7-2 win for their 13th straight victory.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 single, 2 steals, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI (4 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K on 80 pitches)
Trey Payne: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 2 hit by pitch
Trace Ledbetter: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 RBI
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 run scored, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 ground rule double
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored (2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 32 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 30 pitches
Weather, again is playing a factor with scheduling as the game that was originally set for Thursday, April 11th, has been pushed up to Wednesday, April 10th. The series moves to Dahlonega with a first pitch time of 4:30 pm.
Dragons sweep doubleheader to open region play
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 7, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It’s time for region baseball in 7-AAA as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Wesleyan Wolves at Dunn Field on Wednesday, March 6th. The Dragons, were coming off a successful trip to Hoover, Alabama where they went 3-1 against some of the top teams in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The 3-game series against the Wolves, was set to begin on Tuesday, March 5th, but the rain forced it to be moved to a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Dragons, used a good combination of hitting and pitching as the #2 team in AAA swept the doubleheader.
Game 1:
The Dragons, were classified as the “away” team for game one since these two teams didn’t get to play at Wesleyan on Tuesday. Cade Sutton, got on with a 2-out walk, but that would be it for Pickens in the top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Connor Shouse, worked around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a ground out to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons would go down in order after a pair of ground outs and a pop out. In the bottom half of the frame, Shouse would pick up his 3rd strikeout. The inning ended when catcher Kam Jenkins threw out a runner attempting to steal 3rd. Going to the top of the third, the game was still scoreless.
To begin the third inning, Trey Payne was able to leg out an infield single for the Dragons first hit. AJ Rice, followed by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. On the very next pitch, Shouse, sent a screaming line drive home run over the left center field wall to put the Dragons up 3-0. Trace Ledbetter, followed that up with a double and Sutton reached with a single.
Dawson Holland, kept the train moving as he drove in pitch runner Sam Dart with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Christian Starks, would bring in Sutton with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 5-0. The Wolves, were able to get out of the top of the third with the Dragons leading, 5-0. After giving up a double and a single with 1-out, Shouse was able to get out of the inning with no damage done. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Wesleyan, 5-0.
The Dragons, worked a little 2-out magic in the top of the fourth as Ledbetter drew a walk, looking to start a rally. He would then advance all the way to 3rd as the catcher overthrew the first baseman trying to throw out Ledbetter. Sutton, added to his day as he drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Shouse, threw a clean inning in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up a fly out, and his 7th and 8th K of the game. Going to the fifth, the Dragons led, 6-0.
Starks, started off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. Jenkins, followed that up with a single. Tyler Payne, would then bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Later on, Ledbetter, would draw a bases loaded walk that brought in courtesy runner JP Nunn to make it 8-0 Dragons. The bottom of the fifth was another clean inning for Shouse as he picked up his 9th and 10th K’s of the game. Going to the sixth, Pickens led Wesleyan, 8-0.
Holland, began the sixth with a single to reach base. Jenkins, would then reach on an error as both he and Holland would advance on the play. James Tilley, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0. Tate Hales, came on in relief of Shouse in the bottom of the sixth and worked a scoreless frame to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 9-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after two ground outs and a fly out. Starks, came on in relief of Hales in the bottom of the seventh and he was able to close things out to give the Dragons the win in game 1, 9-0.
Stats for the Dragons in game 1:
Connor Shouse: 1-5 with a home run, 3 RBI, & 1 run scored (5 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 10 K on 76 pitches)
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a double, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, on 12 pitches)
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with a single and a sacrifice bunt
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
James Tilley: 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single, a sacrifice bunt, and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 2 walks, and 1 run scored
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored
Tate Hales: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 HBP, 1 K on 11 pitches
Game 2:
Game 2 began with James Tilley on the mound for the Dragons. After giving up back to back hits to start the first inning, he was able to pick up 2 k’s and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Connor Shouse led off with a single. He then stole 2nd to get into scoring position. After a grounder by Trace Ledbetter, Shouse held up in a rundown long enough for Ledbetter to reach 2nd.
Dawson Holland, would drive in Ledbetter with an RBI double to make it 1-0. Christian Starks, followed that up with a single to put runners at the corners with 2 out. As Starks attempted to steal 2nd, the ball got through the infield which allowed Holland to score to make it 2-0. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons going to the second.
In the top of the second, Tilley, worked around a pair of hits to strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order on 2 k’s and a fly out to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading the Wolves, 3-0.
In the top of the third, Tilley, had his first clean inning as he picked up his 6th K of the game and a pair of ground outs to keep Wesleyan scoreless. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons would go down 1-2-3 on two pop outs and a strikeout. Going to the fourth, the Dragons led the Wolves, 3-0.
In the top of the fourth, Tilley, worked around a hit and a stolen base to pick up a ground out, and his 7th and 8th K. The Dragons, would add to their lead in the bottom of the inning as Jenkins would reach on a single with 1-out. His courtesy runner, JP Nunn, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Designated hitter Tyler Payne, would drive in Nunn with an RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, the Wolves would cut into the lead as they scored a run after three straight hits. Tilley, did a good job of limiting Wesleyan to only the one run as they headed to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Shouse, led off with a single. After Shouse stole 2nd and 3rd, Ledbetter drove him in with an RBI double. Cade Sutton, would bring pitch runner Sam Dart in with an RBI single to make it 6-1 Dragons going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, the Wolves would once again cut into the lead as they would score a pair of runs on a couple of hits. Going to the bottom of the inning, Pickens now led Wesleyan, 6-3. In the bottom of the sixth, the Dragons would get back to back hits by Trey Payne and AJ Rice to pur runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Wolves, were able to get out of the jam with a double play to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 6-3.
JP Nunn, came on to close it out in the top of the seventh and he would do just that. Nunn, sat the Wolves down in order on just 6 pitches to get the save and preserve the 6-3 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in game 2:
Connor Shouse: 2-4 with 2 singles, 3 stolen bases, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with a double, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with a single, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1-2 with a single, and 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-3 with a single
AJ Rice: 1-3 with a single
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
James Tilley: 5 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 8 H, 9 K on 66 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 25 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 run scored and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB on 6 pitches
With the sweep of the doubleheader the Dragons take their first 7-AAA series of the season. The 3-game set against Wesleyan will conclude with game 3 on Thursday, March 7th at Wesleyan. First pitch set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons defeat Rome to move to 3-1
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports February 24, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Baseball season is in full swing as the Pickens Dragons hosted the Rome Wolves at Dunn Field in a non-region contest on Friday, February 23rd. The Wolves, are out of the 6A classification and came into the game 1-3. The Dragons, came into the game 2-1, and ranked 4th in AAA. The Dragons, took advantage of 5 walks, 5 hit by pitch, 6 hits, and a great pitching outing to come away with a 9-1 win.
Ga Tech signee Connor Shouse, got the start for the Dragons and pitched beautifully. After giving up a lead off single, Shouse, picked up his first strikeout of the game, and the defense behind him forced a 5-4-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the first. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the frame. Going to the second inning, the game was still tied at 0.
Shouse, would pick up his 2nd and 3rd K of the game in the top of the second. In the bottom of the second, Tyler Payne and Christian Starks were hit by pitches. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk to load the bases with nobody out. A grounder to the shortstop by Trey Payne, drove in pitch runner Coleman Keener to make it 1-0. A grounder to 3rd base by Dawson Holland would bring in Starks to make it 2-0 Dragons going to the third.
After giving him a 2-run lead to work with, Shouse, went out and had a 1-2-3 top of the third with two more K’s to bring his total to 5 for the night. In the bottom of the third, Shouse led off with a single, and advanced to 2nd on an error. He would then move up to 3rd on a wild pitch. Trace Ledbetter, would bring him in with a sac fly RBI to make it 3-0. Cade Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch, and Tyler Payne and Starks would draw back to back walks to load the bases.
Jenkins, would extend the lead with an RBI single that drove in Sutton. Trey Payne, would bring in Sam Dart after drawing a walk to make it 5-0. Starks, would come in to score after a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 6-0 lead going to the fourth.
In the top of the fourth, Shouse worked around a 1-out single as he picked up his 6th strikeout. The top of the fourth ended with a great play by James Tilley as he was able to flip the ball to Ledbetter for the third out. In the bottom of the fourth, Shouse and Ledbetter were both hit by pitches to start the frame. They would then pull off a double steal to get into scoring position.
Sutton, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Dart, would draw a walk to bring in Shouse to make it 7-0. Starks, would bring in Ledbetter with a sac fly RBI to make it 8-0 Dragons going to the top of the fifth.
Brodie Keener, came on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fifth. Keener, threw a clean inning with a ground out and 2 K’s to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Holland would lead off with a double. AJ Rice, would bring him in with an RBI single to make it 9-0. Shouse, followed that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Wolves, would get out of that jam to send it to the sixth with the Dragons up, 9-0.
Tate Hales, would come on in relief of Keener in the top of the 6th. Hales, would work a scoreless inning by getting a pop out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the frame, Dawson Lowit, would get on with a 1-out double. The Wolves, would get out of the bottom of the sixth with Lowit stranded at 3rd. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Rome, 9-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Wolves would plate a run after several walks. It would not be enough as the Dragons came away with the 9-1 win.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-3 with a single, a double, a HBP, and 2 runs scored (4 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 0 BB on 49 pitches)
Trace Ledbetter: 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1 HBP, 1 walk
Christian Starks: 1 HBP, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Trey Payne: 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with a double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 1-3 with a single and 1 RBI
Coleman Keener: 1 run scored
Sam Dart: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1 double
The Dragons, will be right back on the diamond on Saturday, February 24th as they take on the Hampton Hornets. First pitch is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons split doubleheader with Hart County
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 25, 2023
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day for playoff baseball on Monday, April 24th as they Pickens Dragons welcomed the Hart County Bulldogs to Dunn Field for a doubleheader in the first round of the GHSA 3A State Baseball Tournament. The Bulldogs, are the #4 seed out of region 8, and the Dragons are the #1 seed out of region 7. After the Bulldogs took game 1 in 9 innings, 4-3, the Dragons came back to take game 2, 5-4, to force a game 3 on Tuesday, April 25th.
Game 1:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter and ’24 Ga Tech commit Connor Shouse, worked around a 2-out single as he picked up 2 strikeouts and a line out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Shouse, led off with a double. Shouse, would advance to 3rd, but the Bulldogs got out of the early threat to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Shouse, needed 8 pitches for a 1-2-3 inning with two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the second, Kam Jenkins, reached on a 1-out walk. His courtesy runner, Tee Knight, would be left stranded and they’d go to the third, still scoreless.
In the top of the third, Shouse, continued the good start to his outing as he sat the Bulldogs down in order on two ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, went down in order as well and the game would move to the fourth, with both teams still scoreless.
In the top of the fourth, Shouse, worked around a 2-out single as he struck out the side. That gave him 7 for the game. In the bottom of the frame, the Dragons, again would go down in order as we officially had a pitcher’s duel on our hands. Going to the fifth, the Dragons and Bulldogs were still tied at 0.
In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs would break the tie as they scored 3 runs on 1 hit, 4 walks, and 1 hit by pitch to take a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, got a run back as Jenkins led off with a single. A.J. Rice, then reached on a fielder’s choice. ’23 Young Harris commit Evan Giddens, moved them over on the sacrifice bunt. An RBI grounder from Colby Brooks brought in courtesy runner Tee Knight to make it 3-1 Bulldogs going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Cason Cannon, who came on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fifth, worked his first full inning of relief and kept the score where it was to send the Dragons bats back up. In the bottom of the sixth, Trey Payne got on with a 1-out double. He’d come around to score after an RBI single from Tyler Payne. Jenkins, drove in pitch runner Ezra Faber on a 2-out, RBI double to tie things up at 3 going to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, ’24 Jacksonville State commit JP Nunn, came on in relief of Cannon. Nunn, kept the Bulldogs off the board in the top half of the inning to send it to the bottom of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order. They would head to extra innings with the score tied at 3.
In the top of the eighth, Nunn, in his 2nd inning of work, worked around a 1-out walk to keep the Bulldogs off the board. In the bottom of the eighth, Shouse, now at shortstop, sent a ball for a ride in center field, but it was just shy of the fence. The Bulldogs, would get out of the bottom of the eighth and we’d head to the ninth with it still tied up at 3.
In the top of the ninth, the Bulldogs, were able to plate a run on 2 hits to retake the lead, 4-3. In the bottom of the ninth, Dawson Holland would reach on a 1-out single. The Bulldogs however, were able to get a double play to end the game as Hart County took game 1, 4-3.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 1:
Connor Shouse: 1-4 with a double
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Trey Payne: 1-4 with a double and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with a single and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with a single
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1 RBI
Tee Knight: 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 1 run scored
Game 2:
The Dragons, were the “visitors” for game 2 and they looked to put up some early runs in the top of the first as Trey Payne and Tyler Payne got on with a pair of 2-out singles, and Dawson Holland reached with a full count walk. The Bulldogs, got out of the bases loaded threat to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs, did strike for early runs as they scored 4 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 error.
Going to the second inning the Bulldogs, held a 4-0 lead over the Dragons.
In the top of the second, the Dragons, would go down in order to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom half of the second, Dragpns starter James Tilley, bounced back after a tough first inning to get the Bulldogs in order with a grounder to 1st base, and 2 strikeouts to send it to the third, Bulldogs leading, 4-0.
In the top of the third, the Dragons struck. Connor Shouse, led off by drawing a full count walk after being down 0-2 in the count. Trace Ledbetter, followed that up with a single. After a double steal by both Shouse and Ledbetter, Trey Payne would bring them home with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Bulldogs. After Tyler Payne worked another full count walk, Holland, laid down a bunt to move Trey Payne to 3rd and pitch runner Sam Dart to 2nd with 1-out.
Freshman Kam Jenkins, once again came through with a big hit as he drove in Trey Payne and Dart with a 2-RBI single to tie the game up at 4 going to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Tilley, worked around a 1-out single to send it to the fourth with the game now tied at 4.
In the top of the fourth, Colby Brooks, reached with a 1-out single. Shouse and Ledbetter, got on by drawing back to back walks to load the bases. Trey Payne, would bring in Brooks with the sacrifice fly RBI to give the Dragons the lead 5-4, going to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, Tilley, was able to work around a 2-out walk to get out of the inning. Going to the fifth, the Dragons now led it, 5-4.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pop up and 2 ground outs. In the bottom of the inning, Tilley, kept the Bulldogs from scoring as he picked up 2 big strikeouts to keep the runner at 3rd after he reached on an error and advanced to 3rd on a sacrifice bunt. Going to the sixth, the Dragons maintained their 5-4 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Brooks, reached on a 1-out walk. Shouse, would then get hit by a pitch on a 3-2 count and the Dragons had runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The Bulldogs, somehow, were able to get out of it with no damage done to send it to the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, Tilley, sat the Bulldogs down in order with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh with the Dragons up, 5-4.
In the top of the seventh, Holland, would make it to 2nd after an error by the shortstop. Jenkins, followed up with a single. As the throw was going home, Jenkins took the opportunity to advance to 2nd to give the Dragons 2 runners in scoring position with 1-out. Once again, the Bulldogs found a way to get out of the jam and keep it at 5-4 going to the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Tilley, nearly crossing the 100 pitch mark, finished the ball game off by striking out the side to keep Pickens alive as the Dragons took game 2, 5-4.
Stats for the Dragons in Game 2:
Connor Shouse: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with a single, a walk, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 2-3 with 2 singles, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-1 with a single, and 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 RBI
Colby Brooks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
With the two teams splitting the doubleheader, we now turn to the deciding game 3. The winner of game 3, will advance to the sweet 16 and face Gordon Lee on Saturday. First pitch for game 3 between Pickens and Hart County is set for 5 pm.