Dragons pick up road win against Rebels
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports September 5, 2026
Blue Ridge, Ga — A 515 battle took place on Friday, September 4th as the Pickens Dragons took on the Fannin County Rebels in non-region action. Both teams, were coming off of losses last week. The Dragons, were looking for their first win of the early season. A back and forth second half saw the Dragons come up with a pair of stops to pick up the win, 45-35.
The Rebels, would win the toss and elect to receive the opening kickoff. A pair of big plays would put the Rebels inside Dragon territory. The Dragons, would end up forcing a four and out and would take over at their 32-yd line. On the first play of the drive, Tanner Bail, would take a shot down field to Donnie Marshall. The pass was incomplete, but a penalty on the Rebels would move the ball up to the Dragon 47-yd line.
After a penalty on the Dragons, Bail, would swing the ball to Sawyer Purdy for a nice gain. Ike Wyngaard, would then take a pitch to the Rebel 33-yd line. Another hand off to Wyngaard would gain 7 yards. The Rebels, would then force a turnover as Isaac Watkins would recover a fumble at their 26-yd line. The Rebels, would turn that into points as Cannon Holloway would find Tristen Bernier for a 20-yd touchdown. With 5:43 left in the first quarter, Fannin led Pickens, 7-0.
The Dragons, would finish off the opening quarter by driving deep inside Rebel territory. Heading to the second quarter, the Rebels led it, 7-0.
On the first play of the second quarter, Bail, would almost connect with Brock Teal for a touchdown, but it would fall incomplete. Toccoa McGraw, would come in and nail a 27-yd field goal to make it 7-3 with 11:48 remaining in the first half. The Rebels, would respond with a 63-yd touchdown run by Holloway. The PAT was good and with 9:33 left in the half, Fannin led Pickens, 14-3. On the ensuing kick off, Wyngaard, would take it all the way to the Rebel 30-yd line.
A penalty on the Dragons, would bring the ball back to the Dragon 25. A nice run by Travis Vines, would give the Dragons a first down. On 3rd and 5 from their 41-yd line, Bail’s pass attempts to Teal was tipped, but Teal would still bring it in and pick up the first down. The Dragons, would cut into the lead after a 14-yd touchdown pass from Bail to Corban Addison. With 4:02 left in the half, The Rebels were leading, 14-10.
The Rebels, would take advantage of the ensuing kickoff going out of bounds and would cross into Dragon territory on the first play of the drive. A long run would then be negated by a holding penalty. After a miscue on a screen attempt, the Rebels were able to get the penalty yardage and some more back on second down. The Dragons, would force a punt by the Rebels. The snap, would go over the punters head and the Dragons would take over deep inside Rebel territory.
After three straight runs by Wyngaard, the Dragons, would bring in their heavy package as Teal would pick up the first down to keep the drive going. That package would stay on the field as Teal would make a few defenders miss as he would run it in from 8-yards out. The PAT was good and with 15 seconds left in the half, Pickens led Fannin, 17-14. The Rebels, would kneel it to end the first half and at the break, the Dragons were up, 17-14.
The Dragons, would start the second half with the football. After picking up a first down after back to back runs from Wyngaard and Vines, the Rebels, would force a punt. Teal, would get off a good punt and the Rebels would take over at their own 17-yard line. A pair of penalties, would derail the first drive of the second half for the Rebels. Or so we thought. The punt would be muffed by the Dragons and the Rebels would recover inside Dragon territory.
On 3rd & 5, Cannon Holloway, would find Reid Holloway for a first down at the Dragon 18 to keep the drive going. The Holloway’s, would connect again on the next play for an 18-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 3:59 left in the third, Fannin was back on top, 21-17. On the ensuing kickoff, Purdy, would get a good return out of the squib kick. A facemask penalty, would move the ball up to the Dragon 49 yard line.
On this drive, the Dragons, used the running back tandem of Wyngaard and Vines to great success. Wyngaard, would cap off the drive with a 13-yd touchdown run. A great block by Marshall would help lead Wyngaard in for the score. With 55 seconds left in the third, Pickens led Fannin, 24-21. Just before the end of the third, the Holloway boys would connect again for a long gain down to the Dragon 13-yd line. A 4-yd run by C. Holloway, would send us to the fourth.
A penalty to start the fourth quarter would negate the possible go ahead touchdown for the Rebels. On the next play, the Dragons, would give some yardage back after a facemask penalty. The Rebels, would retake the lead after a 9-yd touchdown run by Bernier. The PAT was good and with 11:41 left to go in the game, Fannin was back on top, 28-24. The ensuing kickoff would be downed at the Dragon 32-yd line.
The Dragons, would respond as Bail would connect with Teal on a TE screen and he would take it 56 yards for the touchdown. The PAT by McGraw was good and with 9:22 left to go in the game, the Dragons were up, 31-28. We were far from over however. The Rebels, would start on their own 10-yd line after a little miscue on the kickoff. After C. Holloway picked up a first down with his legs, he would connect with Bernier on the next play to the Rebel 45-yd line.
C. Holloway, would pick up his second rushing touchdown of the game as he would run it in from 51-yards out. The PAT was good and 6:59 left to go in the game, the Rebels, would reclaim the lead, 35-31. The Dragons, would take over at their own 36-yard line after a pooch kick. Wyngaard, would break a tackle near the line of scrimmage and take it to the house for a 60-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and just like that, the Dragons were back on top, 38-35 with 6:07 to go.
The Dragons, would then force a three and out and the Rebels would be forced to punt. The Dragons, would take over at their own 31-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Wyngaard, would make his third house call of the night after a 69-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 4:54 left to go in the game, the Dragons, extended their lead to 45-35.
On their ensuing possession, the Rebels, were facing a 3rd and long. C. Holloway, would find Nate O’Neal and he would take it to the Dragon 40-yard line. The Rebels, would keep the drive alive again as C. Holloway would find Casen Bailey on the screen pass for a first down. The Dragons, would be able to force a four and out and take over at their own 21-yard line. After three straight runs by the Dragons and the final two timeouts used by the Rebels, Fannin would take over at their own 41-yard line with just over a minute left.
C. Holloway, after scrambling to his left, found an open O’Neal on the sideline and he would get out of bounds at the Dragon 37-yard line. The Dragons, would again force a four and out and take over at their own 45-yard line where Bail would take a knee and the Dragons would come away with a 45-35 win.
The Dragons, having finally gotten in the win column, will look to add to that total next week as they are back home to battle the East Forsyth Broncos on Friday, September 11th. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons battle former region foe in home opener
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports August 29, 2026
Jasper, GA — The Pickens Dragons were home for the first time during the 2026 season as they welcomed former region foe, the Lumpkin Indians, to Dragon Stadium. The Dragons, were coming in looking to bounce back after a tough loss to North Cobb Christian. The Indians, were looking to build off of a back and forth win over Dawson last week. Tied at 21 at the half, it would be the Indians who would use a 21-7 second half to pick up the win, 42-28.
The Dragons, would win the toss and elect to receive the opening kick off. After a short gain on first down, Tanner Bail, would connect with Brock Teal on a quick pop pass and Teal would take 69-yards for the touchdown. The PAT by Toccoa McGraw was good, and with 11:21 left in the first quarter, the Dragons were up, 7-0. The first possession by the Indians was filled with penalties. Lumpkin thought they had a 3rd and long converted, but a penalty would force a punt.
The ensuing punt would be shanked, and the Dragons would take over at the Indian 35-yd line. The Dragons, would end up having to settle for a field goal attempt. The kick, would be pushed to the left and the Indians would take over at their 20-yd line. The Indians, using their run game, would March down and tie the game after a 1-yd TD run by Joseph Alvarez. Heading to the second quarter, the game was tied at 7.
Sawyer Purdy, would set up the Dragon offense with fantastic field position after a big kick off return. Pickens, would capitalize on that field position as Cal Morrison would power in for a 1-yd TD run. With 10:35 left to go in the half, the Dragons were up, 14-7. The Indians, would take their first lead of the game on back to back touchdowns as Kolson Howell ran in from 3-yards out and Howell would find Mac Powell for a 6-yd touchdown.
The Dragons, would respond as Bail would find Purdy on a screen pass. Purdy, would break a couple tackles, pick up a massive block, run to the other side of the field, and get through the crowd for a 70-yard score. The PAT was good and with just under a minute left in the half, the game was tied at 21. The Indians, had one more shot before the half to score, but a sack by Teal would send it to the break with the game deadlocked at 21.
The second half started in a not so fun way for the Indians as the kick off was fielded at their 2-yd line. After a 3-yard gain on first down, Weston Veater, would rumble for a 65-yard run into Dragon territory. Alvarez, would finish the drive off with a 12-yard TD run. On the ensuing kick off, it looked like Ike Wyngaard took it 83-yards for the score, but a holding penalty was called on the Dragons.
On fourth down, the Dragons, would then run a fake punt as Teal would break through a few would be tacklers to pick up the first down. Later in the drive, the Dragons would go for it again on fourth down. Pickens, would not be so fortunate this time around as the Indians would stop the play short. Heading to the fourth quarter, the Indians led it, 28-21.
Lumpkin, would add to their lead on their next possession as Howell would run it in from 5-yards out to make it 35-21 with 9:24 left in the game. The Dragons, would get a big run by Wyngaard into Indian territory. An unsportsmanlike penalty would be called on Pickens to back them up a bit. Cohen Carden, would end the drive with an interception at the goal line. The Indians, would once again use the run game to add to the lead as Alvarez scored from a yard out to make it 42-21.
The Dragons, would pick up a late score with 34 seconds left as Bail would find Wyngaard for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Lumpkin and the Indians would kneel out the rest of the clock as they pick up the win, 42-28.
The Dragons, will be on the road next Friday as they take on the Fannin Rebels on September 4th. The Rebels, will also be coming off of a tough loss as they fell to rival Gilmer, 35-14. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons fall in high scoring season opener
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports August 22, 2026
Kennesaw, Ga — No more scrimmages as it was time to kick off the 2026 regular season for high school football for many teams across the state of Georgia on Friday, August 21st. Two of those teams being the Pickens Dragons, and the hosting North Cobb Christian Eagles. This one had a lot packed into it. It was a tale of two halves in this one as the Dragons would go up 28-7 into the break with the Eagles coming back to pick up a 42-35 win.
The Dragons, would win the toss and elect to receive the opening kick. After a great return by Sawyer Purdy that set up the offense at the Dragon 40-yd line, Pickens used a mix of the run game and the quick passing game to drain more than half of the first quarter clock. The Dragons, would cap off the opening drive with a 9-yd touchdown run by Ike Wyngaard. The PAT by Toccoa McGraw was good and with 4:48 left in the quarter, Pickens led it, 7-0.
The Eagles, were looking to tie things up on their opening possession as a big pass play set them up at the Dragon 5-yd line. After a false start by the Eagles, the Dragons would force a stop to bring up 2nd down. The Dragons defense, would then land a big blindside hit on the Eagles QB that jarred the ball loose. The ball would go out of bounds at the Dragon 38-yd line to bring up 3rd down.
The Dragons, would force a punt after a pass break up by Donald Marshall. Heading to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Eagles, 7-0.
Just under a minute into the second quarter, Tanner Bail found Wyngaard streaking down the seam for a 59-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 11:05 left in the first half, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 14-0. On the next Eagles possession, Jackson Walker, would force and recover a fumble after a big hit on a receiver. There was discussion from the officials because Walker’s helmet came off right after the ball was knocked loose. In the end, the officials ruled that it was Dragons ball.
On the first play after the fumble recovery, Purdy, took the end around and turned on the jets for a 44-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 10:01 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Eagles, 21-0. After another defensive stop, the Dragons, would add to their lead as newcomer Travis Vines would power his way in for a 1-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 4:36 left to go in the half, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 28-0.
The Eagles, would respond with their first scoring drive of the game as they would cap it off with an 18-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 1:16 left in the half, the Dragons led the Eagles, 28-7. After a late defensive stop by the Eagles, North Cobb Christian had a little time left to add points before halftime. A nice pass play would set up a 40-yd field goal try. The ball would sail left and the Dragons would take a 28-7 lead into the break.
On the first play of scrimmage in the third quarter, the Eagles would connect on a 64-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 11:43 left in the third, Pickens led North Cobb Christian, 28-14. The Eagles, would then force and recover a fumble on the Dragons opening possession of the second half. They would convert that into points after a 38-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 10:21 left to go in the third, the Dragons lead was cut to 28-21.
After a back and forth, the Eagles, would again score after a 1-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 1:48 left in the third, the game was tied at 28. A stop by the Eagles defense before the end of the third, would give their offense the ball as they would head to the fourth.
The Eagles, would use that momentum from the third quarter and carry it over to the fourth as they would take their first lead of the game after a 7-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 9:05 left in the game, North Cobb Christian led Pickens, 35-28. The Dragons, needing something to help stop the bleeding, found it as Bail would connect with Brock Teal for a 51-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and we were tied at 35 with 6:18 left in the game.
The Eagles, would respond with a 2-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 2:39 left in the game, North Cobb Christian led Pickens, 42-35. The Dragons, looking for one final drive to tie or possibly win the game, would pick up one first down, but the Eagles would force a turnover on downs as North Cobb Christian would pick up the win, 42-35.
The Dragons, will look to rebound as they will be home next week as they host former region foe, the Lumpkin Indians, on Friday, August 28th for the home opener. Lumpkin, will be coming off of a 42-31 win over Dawson to start the season. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Rice named Georgia Player of the Year
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports June 29, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The postseason honors keep rolling in for Pickens Dragons star pitcher AJ Rice. After being named to the Atlanta Braves 400 Club High School All-Star Team, Georgia Dugout Club All-State First Team, and the NHSBCA (National High School Baseball Coaches Association) All-American Team, the Auburn commit has been recognized as the Player of the Year for the state of Georgia by Prep Baseball. Rice, who was a two-way player throughout his high school career, went 14-0 with a 0.35 ERA, collecting 162 strikeouts while only giving up 4 earned runs. Opponents, hit just .096 against Rice this season.
Offensively, Rice hit .365 with 31 hits, 17 singles, 10 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. Rice drove in 33 runs, 32 runs scored, walked 19 times, and stole 7 bases. Rice, who helped lead the Dragons to their first ever state championship this season, had one of the most dominant four year stretches you will see.
For his career, Rice went 41-3 with a 0.99 ERA while striking out 458 batters across 253 innings pitched. Rice, regarded as one of the top players in the ’26 class as he ranks as the 11th best player in Georgia, is also a highly thought of MLB prospect as MLB Pipeline ranks Rice as one of their top 200 prospects in next week’s upcoming MLB Draft. Rice, will more than likely hear his name called at some point during the draft.
Whether it’s at Auburn, or in the pros, the future for AJ Rice, is very bright. We here at TeamFYNSports and of course the people of Pickens County, are looking forward to seeing what big things await AJ.
At last the Dragons are state champs
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 25, 2026
Columbus, Ga — The Pickens Dragons and the Troup County Tigers were back at it on Monday, May 25th as they battled in game three of the 3A State Championship series to crown a winner. The two teams proved during the three game set, that they were evenly matched. A masterful performance from starter Everett Grubbs, and a pair of first inning was enough for the Dragons to hang on and capture their first ever state baseball championship.
Robert Turner, would lead off the game by drawing a four pitch walk. After a pop out, Turner, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. Kam Jenkins, would then reach on an infield single as the Dragons would have runners at the corners with 1-out. A.J. Rice, on an 0-2 count, would send a shot down the right field line that would score Turner and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff to put the Dragons up 2-0.
Rice, would move up to 3rd after a ground out. The Tigers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would toss a 1-2-3 bottom of the first as he picked up a ground out, a strikeout, and a fly out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Tigers, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Tigers starter Davis Moncus, would toss his first 1-2-3 inning of the game after a ground out, a line out, and a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, C. Mosley, would reach on a fielding error with 1-out. C. Wilson, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. E. Grubbs, would get out of the second with a pop out and a strikeout. Heading to the third, it was still 2-0 Dragons.
In the top of the third, the Dragons, would once again go down in order on ground out, a line out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the third, E. Grubbs, would only need 8 pitches to get out of the frame as he forced three ground outs. Heading to the fourth, Pickens still led Troup, 2-0.
It would be a scoreless top of the fourth for the Dragons as Moncus picked up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, Moncus, would reach with a lead off single. C. Walker, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at the corners with nobody out. The Dragons, would turn a 4-6-3 double play as Moncus would come in to score to make it 2-1. E. Grubbs, would force a ground out to get out of the inning and send it to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons, still couldn’t get the bats going as they went down in order on a ground out, a pop out, and a line out. In the bottom of the fifth, T. Dean, would reach with a 1-out single. Dean, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a strikeout, G. Edwards, would reach with a 2-out single to put runners at the corners. E. Grubbs, would force a fly out to send it to the sixth with the score still 2-1.
Moncus, would continue his dominance in the top of the sixth as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a line out. In the bottom of the sixth, Moncus, would reach on a fielding errors. After a pair of pop outs, Moncus, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. Wilson, would hit a grounder to Jennings Allen at short. Moncus, seeing Allen slip on the play, would head home. Allen, would throw a strike to Kam Jenkins, who tagged Moncus to end the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. The first base runner of any kind for the Dragons since the top of the first. Moncus, would get out of the seventh with a line out and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, E. Grubbs, came out looking to finish what he started. E. Grubbs, would force a ground out and pick up a strikeout before having to leave due to pitch count rules.
Turner, would come in from center field to try and pick up the final out of the ball game. Turner, would do just that as he would strike out T. Delaney looking to pick up the win and seal the first ever state championship for the Pickens Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Three:
Robert Turner: 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 5 pitches
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 K on 109 pitches
With the win, Pickens High School has its first state championship since the 1973-74 Nettes state basketball championship. The 2026 Pickens Dragons baseball team, becomes the first boys team to win a state championship in school history. It is indeed a great day to be a Dragon.
3A State Baseball Championship comes down to series finale
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 24, 2026
Columbus, Ga — On Saturday, May 23rd, for the first time in school history, a boys team at Pickens High School was competing for a state championship. It had been since the 1973-74 state champion Nettes team that a team from Pickens, made it to the state championship game/series. The Pickens Dragons, took on the defending 3A State champions, the Troup County Tigers, in a rematch of last year’s final four. The Dragons, were able to take game one, 7-2. The Tigers, would use a seventh inning rally to steal game two, 8-1.
Game One:
Things started quickly for the Dragons in the top of the first as Robert Turner and Jennings Allen would both reach on fielding errors. The Dragons, would then go 1 for 2 on a double steal attempt as Allen would be thrown out at 2nd. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk. Jenkins, would catch the Tigers napping and make it to 2nd on the play. A.J. Rice, would bring in Turner with a single to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd while Rice would make it to 2nd on the play. Christian Starks, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI sac fly to make it 2-0. The Tigers, would get out of the first with a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, after a strikeout, B. Willis would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would force a pop out and pick up his 2nd strikeout of the game to send it to the second with the Dragons leading, 2-0.
Everett Grubbs, would lead off the top of the second with a single. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, would follow with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After E. Grubbs stole 3rd, Matthew Davis, would drive in E. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Turner, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Lowit, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Allen, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases with 1-out. Jenkins, would bring in Lowit with an RBI sac fly to make it 4-0 heading to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Rice, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a line out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the third, Pickens led Troup, 4-0.
In the top of the third, Truitt Grubbs, would look to get a rally started after reaching on a 2-out single. The Tigers, would get out of the third after T. Grubbs was thrown out trying to steal 2nd. In the bottom of the inning, G. Edwards, would look to get something going for the Tigers as he reached on a 2-out single. Edwards, would then steal 2nd, and advance to 3rd on a throwing error. Rice, would get out of the third with a strikeout.
In the top of the fourth, Lowit, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Troup starter Jake Perry and the Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a 4-6-3 double play. In the bottom of the fourth, D. Moncus, would reach with a lead off single. Moncus, would then take 2nd on a passed ball. Moncus, would score from 2nd on a throwing error. C. Walker, would advance to 2nd on the play.
C. Mosley, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Mosley, would then be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. After a line out, Walker, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-2. C. Wilson, would then draw a walk to keep the inning alive for the Tigers. After a weather delay, Rice, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons ahead, 4-2.
Turner, would lead off the top of the fifth with a double. He would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. After a ground out, Jenkins, would drive in Turner with an RBI single to make it 5-2. A wild pitch, would advance courtesy runner Kirchoff up to 2nd. Rice, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would move up to 3rd after a fly out. Courtesy runner Cooper Helmuth, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out.
T. Grubbs, would bring in both Kirchoff and Helmuth with a 2-RBI triple to make it 7-2. On a 3-1 count, E. Grubbs, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners. Then, another weather delay. This one, a little longer than the first one. Once play resumed, the Tigers, would get out of the fifth after a successful pick off throw. In the bottom of the fifth, Rice, would work around a 2-out single by Willis. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Troup, 7-2.
In the top of the sixth, the Dragons, picked up back to back 1-out singles by Davis and Turner. The Tigers, would convert another pick off throw and then pick up a strikeout to get out of the sixth. In the bottom of the inning, after back to back strikeouts by Rice, Wilson, would reach on a fielding error. Wilson, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Another strikeout from Rice, would send it to the seventh with the Dragons up, 7-2.
Starks, would keep the top of the seventh alive for the Dragons with a 2-out double. Starks, would be left stranded as the Tigers would get out of the seventh with a strikeout. Rice, back out for the bottom of the inning, would strike out the side in the bottom of the seventh to seal a 7-2 win in game one for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 steals, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1 hit by pitch
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 2 RBI
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R/0 ER, 1 BB, 14 K on 104 pitches
Cooper Helmuth: 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, and 1 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, and 2 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 RBI
Game Two:
The two teams flipped sides for the second game of the doubleheader. In the top of the first, G. Edwards, would lead off with a first pitch single. Edwards, would be thrown out trying to steal 2nd. After a walk drawn by B. Willis, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would pick up back to back strikeouts to get out of the first. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the first. Heading to the second, it was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Starks, would toss a 1-2-3 frame with a pair of strikeouts and a line out. In the bottom of the inning, Starks, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Dragons with a 1-out single. Tigers starter C. Mosley, would get out of the second with a strikeout and a pop out. Heading to the third, Pickens and Troup were tied at 0.
Starks, would need only 7 pitches to get out of the third as he forced a pair of ground outs and a pop out. In the bottom of the third, Robert Turner, would reach with a 2-out double. Jennings Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Allen, would make it all the way to 3rd on the play. Kam Jenkins, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a strikeout.
In the top of the fourth, Willis, would draw a lead off walk. After a pop out, Willis’ courtesy runner, T. Pope, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Starks, would get out of the fourth with a pair of line outs. Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fourth by getting hit by a pitch. The Dragons, couldn’t do anything with that as Mosley would pick up a pop out, a line out, and a ground out to send it to the fifth.
Starks, would toss a scoreless top of the fifth with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. The Dragons, would also go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on a pair of pop outs and a ground out. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Tigers, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Edwards, would reach with a 1-out single. After a line out, Edwards, would be caught trying to steal 2nd for the second time to send it to the bottom of the sixth. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by getting hit by a pitch. A.J. Rice, would advance courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff up to 2nd after a sac bunt. Starks, would then be intentionally walked to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Both Kirchoff and Starks, would move up a base after a ground out. The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
In the top of the seventh, the wheels sorta fell off for the Dragons as the Tigers would plate 8 runs on 8 hits and several fielding errors to take an 8-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh. Mosley, on to finish the game, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out to seal the 8-1 win in game two for the Tigers.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 double and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 caught stealing
A.J. Rice: sacrifice bunt
Christian Starks: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 1 intentional walk, and 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 5 K on 77 pitches
These two teams went to a game three last year in the final four, and they will do it again with a state championship on the line on Monday, May 25th. Game to again be played at Synovus Park in Columbus. Game time is set for 6 pm.
Dragons punch ticket to first ever state championship
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 15, 2026
Calhoun, Ga — For the first time since the tournament started, the Pickens Dragons, were on the road as they made their way to Calhoun to begin a three game series with the Yellow Jackets on Thursday, May 14th. The winner, would punch their ticket to Columbus and the 3A State championship. The Dragons, behind some clutch hitting and some big time pitching, were able to sweep the doubleheader, 4-2 and 11-5 to advance to their first ever state championship.
Game One:
Jennings Allen, would look to get things started in the top of the first with a 1-out single. Kam Jenkins and AJ Rice, would then draw back to back walks to load the bases. Truitt Grubbs, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error that allowed courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff to score. R. Baxter and the Yellow Jackets, would get out of the first with a ground out.
In the bottom of the first, C. Ware, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, the Dragons starter, would pick up a pop out and a strikeout to send it to the second with the Dragons leading, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Robert Turner, would try to start a two out rally with a single. He would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the second with a line out. Rice, would strike out the side in the bottom half of the second to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout. Rice, would bring his strikeout total to seven for the game as he would strike out the side for the second straight inning. Heading to the fourth, it was still 1-0 Dragons.
In the top of the fourth, Everett Grubbs, would reach after an error. The Yellow Jackets, would turn a double play to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, the Yellow Jackets stung. Ware, would lead off by drawing a walk. H. Chadwick, would put the Yellow Jackets on top with a 2-run home run. Baxter, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Rice, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout.
In the top of the fifth, Turner, would reach with his second hit of the day with a 1-out single. Turner, would then move up to 2nd after a balk was called. After a strikeout, Turner, would steal 3rd. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the fifth with a pop out. Rice, would settle down nicely in the bottom of the fifth as he would sit the Yellow Jackets in order on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the sixth, Calhoun led it, 2-1.
Rice, would help himself and his Dragon teammates out as he would lead off the sixth with a home run to tie the game at 2. After a pop out, Christian Starks, would give the Dragons the lead with a solo home run to make it 3-2. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Rice, now armed with the lead again, came out for the bottom of the sixth focused.
Rice, would fire a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Yellow Jackets, 3-2.
In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would advance to 2nd on a throwing error. Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI double to make it 4-2. Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on a line out to right field. The Yellow Jackets, would prevent any further damage by getting out of the seventh with a strikeout. In the bottom of the seventh, I. Nails, would lead things off by drawing a walk.
After a pop out, M. Peek, would draw the second walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance both Nails and Peek up a base. Rice, would gather himself, and pick up a strikeout and a pop out to seal the game one win for the Dragons, 4-2.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 steals
Jennings Allen: 2-4 with 2 singles and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 walk, and 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 13 K on 107 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single
Game Two:
For the second game, the Dragons, were the home team and the Yellow Jackets, were the visitors. In the top of the first, C. Stewart and C. Ware, would draw back to back walks to lead off the inning. A wild pitch, would advance both runners up a base. After a strikeout, R. Hood, would drive in both Stewart and Ware with a 2-RBI single. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with back to back strikeouts.
In the bottom of the first, Kam Jenkins, would look to get something started as he would be hit by a pitch with two outs. Yellow Jackets starter, M. Peek, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, Calhoun led Pickens, 2-0.
Peek, would lead off the top of the second by drawing a walk. After a wild pitch moved courtesy runner E. Bryant up to 2nd, M. Zander, would drive in Bryant with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Starks, would pick up a strikeout for the first out of the inning. Stewart, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jackson Nunn, would come in to pitch for the Dragons to try and get the final two outs of the second.
Nunn, would force a pop out for the second out. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Nunn, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. Truitt Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. T. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Starks, acting as the DH, would draw a walk as well to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out.
Everett Grubbs, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dawson Lowit, aka “Boogie”, would bring in T. Grubbs after being hit by a pitch to make it 3-1. Peek, would get out of the jam by striking out the side to send it to the third with the Yellow Jackets leading, 3-1.
In the top of the third, Nunn, would toss a 1-2-3 scoreless frame as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons struck. Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Kirchoff, would come in to score on a second wild pitch to cut the lead to 3-2. AJ Rice, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Dragons with a single.
T. Grubbs, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Rice, would move up to 3rd after a pop out to right. T. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd. Rice, would come in to score on a throwing error to tie the game at 3. E. Grubbs, would draw the third walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a strikeout, Matthew Davis, would drive in T. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 4-3 Dragons.
E. Grubbs would advance to 3rd on the play and Davis, would advance to 2nd on the same play. Robert Turner, would bring in both E. Grubbs and Davis with a 2-RBI double to make it 6-3. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the third with a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were now ahead, 6-3.
In the top of the fourth, the Yellow Jackets, looked to get a 2-out rally going as Stewart, would reach with a single. Ware, would follow that up by drawing a walk. Nunn, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, Jenkins, would reach with a lead off single. Courtesy runner Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. The Yellow Jackets, would get out of the fourth with a ground out, a strikeout, and a line out.
In the top of the fifth, I. Nails, would reach 2nd on an error with one out. Nails, would then try to steal 3rd, but would be thrown out by Jenkins for the second out. R. Baxter, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out double. Turner, would come in to pitch for the Dragons and would get out of the fifth after a ground out on the first pitch. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, broke things open.
Drew Dunlap, who came in to pitch hit for E. Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by getting hit by a pitch. Lowit, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch for the second time to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would reach on a single. Dunlap, would come around to score on a throwing error to make it 7-3. Tanner Bail, who came in to run for Lowit, would advance to 3rd and Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play.
Turner, would drive in Bail with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 8-3. Davis, would be thrown out at home trying to score on a wild pitch. Jennings Allen, Jenkins, and Rice, would draw back to back to back walks to load the bases. T. Grubbs, would then draw his third walk of the game to bring in Allen to make it 9-3. Starks, would drive in both Kirchoff and Rice with a 2-RBI double to make it 11-3 heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Zander, would reach with a lead off single. B. Davis, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Zander and Davis, would then move up a base on a wild pitch. Stewart, would bring in Zander with an RBI single to make it 11-4. E. Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons and he would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the inning.
E. Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a walk. J. williams, who came in to pitch for the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the fifth, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to get out of the sixth. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 11-4.
Nails, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. After a pop out and a strikeout, Nails, would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Zander, would bring in Nails with an RBI single to make it 11-5. E. Grubbs, would force a pop out for the third out and the Dragons would take game two, 11-5 to sweep the series and advance to the 3A State Championship.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 double, and 3 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 walks, and 1 hit by pitch
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Truitt Grubbs: 3 walks, 2 steals, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 2 walks, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored, and 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 36 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2 hit by pitch, 1 RBI
Tanner Bail: 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 K on 56 pitches
The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the defending 3A champs, the Troup County Tigers, who swept Peach County to advance to the State Championship. The Dragons, were eliminated by the Tigers in game three of the Final Four last season. The three game series will begin with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 23rd in Columbus at Synovus Park. The doubleheader is scheduled for 5 and 7:30 with the “if” game set for Monday, May 25th at 5 pm.
Dragons advance to Final Four for second straight year
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 8, 2026
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, May 7th, for the first time in school history, a boys team hosted an Elite Eight match up as the Pickens Dragons took on the West Laurens Raiders in a best of three series. The Dragons, came into the series as the #3 seed, while the Raiders came into the series as the #6 seed. Head coach Adam Williams, would pick up his 201st and 202nd career wins at PHS as the Dragons swept the doubleheader 3-1, and 5-0.
Game One:
Auburn commit AJ Rice, took the mound for the Dragons for game one. JD Hogan, would draw a lead off walk to begin the game. Hogan, would then be thrown out by Dragon catcher Kam Jenkins trying to steal 2nd. After a strikeout for the second out, Rice, would induce a ground out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Jenkins, would look to get a rally going after reaching on a 2-out double. The Raiders, would get out of the first with a pop out. Heading to the second inning, the game was still tied up at 0.
In the top of the second, the Raiders, would strike first as C. Pollock, would hit a solo home run with two outs to put West Laurens up, 1-0. Rice, would shake that off and force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the second after a strikeout and a pair of pop outs. Heading to the third, the Raiders led it, 1-0.
Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a pair of ground outs in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis Jr, would reach by drawing a walk with 1-out. Davis Jr, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Robert Turner, would drive in Davis Jr with an RBI double tie the game at 1. Jennings Allen, would bring in Turner with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead.
Allen, would move up to 2nd on the throw to the plate. Allen, would then advance to 3rd after a line out. Rice, would help himself out by driving in Allen with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Courtesy runner Cooper Helmuth, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning going after getting hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
The bases would be loaded after the short stop tried to throw the ball to 3rd to try to get Helmuth, but it got away and everyone was safe. The Raiders, would get out of the third after a line out. Avoiding possible further damage. Heading to the fourth the Dragons led it, 3-1.
K. Clark, would draw a lead off walk to start the top of the fourth. After a pop out, Rice, would pick up a strikeout for the second out. Clark, would advance to 2nd after a delayed steal. Clark, would be left stranded at 2nd after Rice picked up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth. Dawson Lowit, would lead off the bottom of the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Tanner Bail, would then come in to run for Lowit.
Bail, would be left stranded at 1st however as D. Malone and the Raiders, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a pair of line outs. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons still led it, 3-1.
Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out in a 1-2-3 top of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons were still ahead of the Raiders, 3-1.
Rice, who had been rolling since the home run in the second inning, picked a pair of strikeouts and a line out in a scoreless top of the sixth. Everett Grubbs, would get the bottom of the sixth going with a 1-out single. After a pop out, Malone, still pitching for the Raiders, would force a ground out to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still leading, 3-1.
G. Baker, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. B. Shepard, would follow that up by drawing a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Rice, would settle down to strikeout the side to seal the 3-1 win for the Dragons in game one.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 7 IP, 1 H, 1 R/ER, 4 BB, 13 K on 99 pitches
Truitt Grubbs: 1 hit by pitch
Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single
Dawson Lowitt: 1 hit by pitch
Matthew Davis Jr: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Cooper Helmuth: 1 steal
Game Two:
For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons were the away team, and the Raiders were the home team. In the top of the first, Robert Turner, would lead off with a single. Jennings Allen, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Kam Jenkins, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. AJ Rice, would bring in Turner with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 1-0.
Truitt Grubbs, would then work a walk to reload the bases. Christian Starks, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would come in to score to make it 2-0. Courtesy runners Caden Kirchoff and Cooper Helmuth, would then pull off a double steal to make it 3-0. Everett Grubbs, would draw another walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Helmuth, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners with 2-out.
The Dragons, would again try a double steal situation, but the Raiders would get Helmuth at the plate to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would pick up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. Heading to the second, the Dragons led it, 3-0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons, would go down in order on a pop out, a line out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Starks, would pick up a line out and a pair of strikeouts to send it to the third with the Dragons still leading, 3-0.
Jenkins, would look to get something started in the top of the third as he reached with a 1-out single. Rice, would then follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. T. Grubbs, would draw his second walk of the game to load the bases. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Kirchoff and Rice with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons. T. Grubbs, would make it to 3rd on the play.
After Helmuth was thrown out trying to take 2nd, the Raiders, would get out of the third with a pop out. In the bottom of the third, N. Hester, would reach 2nd after a throwing error. T. Mascaro, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Rice made a great diving play at short and threw out Nester trying to get back to 2nd. JJ Giles, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Starks, would get out of the third with a pair of line outs. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led the Raiders, 5-0.
In the top of the fourth, Drew Dunlap, would lead off by drawing a walk. After a strikeout, Turner, would lace a double down the right field line to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. B. Milton and the Raiders, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, G. Baker, would draw a lead off walk. After a line out, Starks would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons up, 5-0.
The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth on a pop out and a pair of ground outs. In the bottom of the inning, Turner, would come in to pitch for the Dragons. Mascaro, would reach with a 1-out single. Giles, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Turner, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the sixth with the Dragons leading, 5-0.
In the top of the sixth, Brock Teal, would draw a walk with two outs. The Raiders, would then pick off the runner at 1st to send it to the bottom of the sixth. Turner, back out there for the bottom of the sixth, would pick up a pop out and a pair of ground outs to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still ahead, 5-0.
Turner, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. Turner, would advance to 2nd after a ground out by Allen. After a pop out, Turner, would swipe 3rd. Milton, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the seventh. E. Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the seventh. C. Pollock, would draw a lead off walk to get the bottom of the seventh started for the Raiders.
After a strikeout, Mascaro, would pick up a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Giles, would then reach on an error as the bases would be loaded with 1-out. E. Grubbs, would settle in and pick up back to back strikeouts to seal the 5-0 win and send the Dragons to the Final Four for the second consecutive year.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 run scored, and 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 31 pitches
Jennings Allen: 1-4 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 hit by pitch
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, 3 RBI, and 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K on 61 pitches
Everett Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, and 3 K on 30 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 1 walk
Brock Teal: 1 walk
Cooper Helmuth: 2 steals
The Dragons, will await their Final Four opponent as they will play the winner of the series finale between Oconee County and Calhoun starting with a doubleheader on Thursday, May 14th. The Dragons, will either be hosting Oconee County, or traveling to Calhoun.
Diamond Dragons advance to Elite Eight
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 1, 2026
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, April 30th, the Pickens Dragons, were back at Dunn Field as they took on the Adairsville Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, advanced after sweeping Cairo last week. The Tigers, advanced after sweeping Douglass-Atlanta. The Dragons, behind a pair of complete game shut outs by A.J. Rice and Everett Grubbs, swept the doubleheader to advance to the Elite Eight.
Game One:
Auburn commit A.J. Rice, took the mound for the Dragons in game one. Rice, would pick up a line out, and a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the inning, Tigers starter K. Coker, would pick up a pair of ground outs, and a strikeout in a 1-2-3 bottom of the first. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Rice, would force a pair of pop outs and pick up his third strikeout. Coker, would also pick up a pair of pop outs and a strikeout in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the third, the game was still scoreless.
In the top of the third, Rice, would strikeout the side to send the bats back up to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis Jr, would become the first base runner of the game as he would draw a four pitch walk with 2-out. Davis Jr, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, it was still tied at 0.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would sit the Tigers down in order after a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would pick up the first hit of the game with a 2-out single. Rice, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Coker and the Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a line out. Heading to the fifth, we were still scoreless.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, would pick up a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, would strike. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. His pitch runner, Tanner Bail, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After Davis Jr drew his second walk of the game, Robert Turner, would reach on a bloop single that fell in shallow center field to load the bases with 1-out.
Bail, would be forced out at home for the second out as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. Kam Jenkins, would break the tie with a 2-RBI single to make it 2-0. Allen, would come in to score after Rice reached on an error to make it 3-0. Rice, would advance to 2nd and courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play. T. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
A single by Everett Grubbs, would drive in courtesy runners Kirchoff and Cooper Helmuth to make it 5-0 Dragons. A 2-RBI single by Christian Starks, would bring in the Grubbs brothers to make it 7-0 heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Rice, still looked sharp after that long bottom of the fifth as he would strikeout the side. In the bottom of the sixth, Turner, would reach with a 1-out single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Turner, would then take 3rd on a wild pitch. After Allen drew a walk, Jenkins, would drive in Turner with an RBI sacrifice fly. Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Rice, would reach with a 2-out single.
The Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a line out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Tigers, 8-0.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, would pick up a pop out for the first out. B. Varner, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Tigers with a 1-out single. Rice, having lost the perfect game bid, would settle down and pick up a pop out and a strikeout to seal the win as the Dragons took game one, 8-0.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, and 3 RBI
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, and 7 IP, o H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 13 K on 100 pitches
Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Matthew Davis Jr: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1-1 with 1 single
Tanner Bail: 1 steal and 1 run scored
Cooper Helmuth: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game Two:
For the second game, the Dragons would be the visitors and the Tigers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Allen, would advance to 2nd after a ground out. An RBI single by A.J. Rice, would drive in Allen to make it 1-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would pick up a strikeout, a ground out, and a line out. Heading to the second, the Dragons led the Tigers, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would reach on an error to lead things off. E. Grubbs, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as T. Grubbs would be forced out at 2nd. After a line out, Dawson Lowit, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Starter H. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a pop out. E. Grubbs, would pick up three ground outs in the bottom of the second. Heading to the third, it was still 1-0 Dragons.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. In the bottom of the inning, H. Miller, would reach with a lead off single. B. Slocumb, would then be called out due to pine tar being too high on his bat. That would erase a fielder’s choice, and allow Miller to return to 1st. After a line out for the second out, Miller, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. E. Grubbs, would get out of the third with a ground out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were still in front, 1-0.
Rice, would lead off the top of the fourth with a single. Rice, would get caught trying to steal 2nd. After a strikeout for the second out, Parr, would force a ground out to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, B. Varner, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, C. Sanford, would be caught trying to steal 2nd. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the Dragons up, 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, the Dragons would go down 1-2-3 as Parr picked up a ground out, a strikeout, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fifth, W. Barfield, would reach with a lead off bloop single. The Dragons, would then turn a 4-6-3 double. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons, were still in front, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth, Kam Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive for the Dragons. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 2-0. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth, E. Grubbs, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 2-0.
In the top of the seventh, Christian Starks, would reach on a 1-out double. Starks, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Lowit, would then draw a walk. Lowit, would then intentionally get caught in a rundown to allow Starks to steal home and make it 3-0. Lowit, would end up being safe at 2nd on the play. After a strikeout, Robert Turner, would drive in pitch runner Tanner Bail with an RBI single to make it 4-0.
Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Parr and the Tigers, would get out of the seventh with a pop out. In the bottom of the seventh, E. Grubbs, would pick up a ground out, a line out, and a strikeout as the Dragons take game two, 4-0 to sweep the series and advance to the Elite Eight.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 hit by pitch
A.J. Rice: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 2 RBI
Everett Grubbs: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 6 K on 85 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks, and 1 steal
Tanner Bail: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, will now turn their attention to Wednesday, May 6th as they welcome the West Laurens Raiders to Dunn Field for a double header. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 7th. The Raiders, are 22-9 on the season. They won region 4-AAA, and are the #6 seed. The Raiders, swept Gilmer and Northwest Whitfield to get to the Elite Eight.
Dragons sweep Cairo to advance to Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 25, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Friday, April 24th as the #3 seeded Pickens Dragons, took on the #30 seeded Cairo Syrupmakers in a best of three series to open up the tournament. The two teams would play a doubleheader at Dunn Field. The Dragons, would come away with a sweep as they won game one, 10-0 and game two, 13-1.
Game one:
Senior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, would start game one for the Dragons. After picking up a strikeout for the first out, C. Prince and J. Brinson, would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would pick up a second strikeout for the second out. J. Bell, would draw the third walk of the inning to load the bases. Rice, would get out of the first with a ground out.
In the bottom of the first, after two quick outs, Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. His courtesy runner, Caden Kirchoff, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Dawson Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
Rice, would settle in for the top of the second as he would strikeout the side on 13 pitches to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Truitt Grubbs, would lead off with a double. Everett Grubbs and Christian Starks, would follow that up by drawing back to back walks to load the bases. Matthew Davis Jr, would then be hit by a pitch to bring in T. Grubbs to make it 1-0.
After back to back pop outs, Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to bring in E. Grubbs to make it 2-0. Starks, would come in to score after Lowit drew a walk to make it 3-0. Davis Jr, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 5-0 Dragons heading to the third.
Rice, would toss a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, E. Grubbs, would reach with a lead off single. E. Grubbs, would then advance all the way to 3rd on a ground out by Starks. Davis Jr, would drive in E. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Robert Turner, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out.
Rice, would fire a 1-2-3 top of the fourth with another half inning of a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. Jenkins, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 7-0. After a pick off at 1st for the second out, T. Grubbs, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk.
T. Grubbs, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
Rice, would finish off his start by striking out the side in the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Davis Jr, would reach with 1-out after an error by the third baseman. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fifth with a pair of line outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
Jackson Nunn, would come on to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the sixth. After a strikeout and a ground out, the Syrupmakers, would have their first base runner since the first inning after a double by J. Brinson. Nunn, would get out of the sixth with a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Jenkins, would send one over the left field fence for a solo home run to make it 8-0.
After a pop out, Rice, now playing shortstop, would reach after drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. T. Grubbs, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a line out, Starks, would drive in both Rice and T. Grubbs with a 2-RBI double to walk it off for the Dragons as they took game one, 10-0 in six innings.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Robert Turner: 1 steal
Kam Jenkins: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 hit by pitch, 1 home run , 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 3 BB, 12 K on 80 pitches
Truitt Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, 1 steal, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis Jr: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 1 steal and 2 runs scored
Game two:
The two teams, would switch places for game two as the Dragons would be the away team and the Syrupmakers would be the home team. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out double. Cairo, would get out of the first with a line out and a pop out. Christian Starks, would take the mound for the Dragons in the bottom of the first. Starks, would pick up a strikeout and a pair of pop outs to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the second, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. Rice, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Truitt Grubbs, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Everett Grubbs, would advance both runners after a sacrifice bunt. Starks, would help himself out by bringing in Rice with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Starks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. Matthew Davis Jr, would drive in both T. Grubbs and Starks with a 2-RBI triple to make it 3-0. Robert Turner, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis Jr would be forced out at home. Turner, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the second with a ground out.
Starks, would only need six pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he forced a pop out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the third, the Dragons, led the Syrupmakers, 3-0.
Kam Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the third with back to back singles. Rice, would then launch one over the left center fence for a three run home run to make it 6-0. After a strikeout and a fly out, Starks, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Davis Jr, would drive in Starks with an RBI double to make it 7-0.
Turner, would bring in Davis Jr with an RBI single to make it 8-0. Turner, would then steal 2nd and 3rd. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the third with a ground out. D. Barber, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk. K. Brinson, would then reach on an infield single. Barber, would advance to 3rd after the throw got away from Lowit at first base.
After a strikeout, Barber, would come in to score after a pick off attempt went over E. Grubbs head at 3rd to make it 8-1. K. Brinson, would advance to 2nd on the play. G. Barret, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. C. Prince, would then reach on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Starks, would get out of the jam with back to back strikeouts to send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 8-1.
Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. After a pop out, Rice, would drive in courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff with an RBI double to make it 9-1. T. Grubbs, would follow that up with an RBI double of his own as Rice would come in to score to make it 10-1. T. Grubbs, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 1-out.
T. Grubbs, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 11-1. Starks, would drive in E. Grubbs with the third RBI double of the inning to make it 12-1. After a pop out, Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Turner, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 13-1. The Syrupmakers, would get out of the fourth with a force out. J. Bell, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Bell, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.
H. Hudson, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. After a strikeout, Starks, would then force a fly out. That would turn into an inning ending double play as it was determined that Bell left 2nd too early. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 13-1.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fifth after a fly out, a line out, and a strikeout. Dylan Walls, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth. Walls, dealing with an injury since the beginning of the season, would be on the mound for the first time since. Walls, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out as the Dragons would take game two, 13-1, to sweep the series and advance to the Sweet 16.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 3 steals
Drew Dunlap: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with a double
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single and 1 double
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 2-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 home run, 1 steal, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Truitt Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 steals, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, and 4 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 K on 64 pitches
Matthew Davis Jr: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 triple, 3 RBI and 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 11 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the #19 seeded Adairsville Tigers. Adairsville, swept the #14 seed, Douglass-Atlanta to advance to Sweet 16. While game times haven’t been announced yet, the best of three series will begin with a doubleheader on Thursday, April 30th. The “if” game, would be on Friday, May 1st.
Dragons capture 6-AAA Region Championship
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2026
Jasper, Ga — It all came down to the regular season finale on Friday, April 17th as the Pickens Dragons took on the Greater Atlanta Christian School Spartans at Dunn Field. A win for the Dragons, would secure another region title and, a top 8 seed in next week’s AAA State Tournament. A six run fifth inning helped the Dragons push past the Spartans to pick up the win 9-1 and become the 2026 6-AAA region champions.
Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would toss a scoreless top of the first with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, Jennings Allen, would reach with a ground rule double. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. The Spartans, would get out of the first with a fly out and a strikeout. Heading to the second, Pickens led GAC, 1-0.
In the top of the second, E. Grubbs, would work around a 1-out single by E. Hill as he picked up a ground out and his 3rd and 4th strikeout of the game. In the bottom of the second, Christian Starks, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by drawing a walk after falling behind 0-2. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Spartans, would get out of the second with a pop out. The Dragons still led it, 1-0.
E. Grubbs, would continue his hot start to the ball game with a 1-2-3 top of the third as he picked up a fly out, a pop out, and a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Robert Turner, would lead off with a single. After a line out, Turner, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Spartans, would get out of the third with a line out and a pop out. Pickens, still led GAC, 1-0.
After a ground out to start the top of the fourth, I. Cobbs, would reach with a 1-out single. J. Givens, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A ground out to 3rd, would advance both runners up a base. E. Grubbs, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. E. Grubbs, would look to start a rally as he would reach with a 1-out single. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a double play to keep the score at 1-0.
E. Grubbs, would toss a scoreless top of the fifth with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with a single. Matthew Davis and Turner, would reach with back to back bunt singles to load the bases. A 2-RBI single from Allen, would bring in both Starks and Davis to make it 3-0. Turner, would advance to 3rd on the play. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position.
A 2-RBI single from Jenkins, would drive in both Turner and Allen to make it 5-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would advance to 2nd on the play. After a pop out, Truitt Grubbs, would be hit with a pitch. A balk would then be called as courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff and T. Grubbs would move up a base. E. Grubbs, would help himself out by driving in both Kirchoff and T. Grubbs with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0.
A.J. Rice, would keep the line moving with a 1-out double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth after turning a 9-2 double play. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-0.
E. Grubbs, would head back to the mound after that long half inning. He would pick up a pair of strikeouts to start the top of the sixth. Cobbs, would keep the inning going for the Spartans by drawing a 2-out walk. Givens, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. E. Grubbs, would get out of the sixth with a ground out. Davis, would lead off the bottom of the sixth by drawing a four pitch walk.
Davis, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Turner, would bring in Davis with an RBI triple to make it 8-0. Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at corners with nobody out. The Dragons, would then pull off a double steal as Allen would take 2nd, and Turner would swipe home to make it 9-0. Jenkins, would reach with a single to once again put runners at the corners.
The Spartans, would turn a double play as the first baseman would catch a line drive and step on 1st to get the runner. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 2-out. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth as T. Grubbs, would be forced out at 2nd.
E. Grubbs, would come back out for the top of the seventh looking to finish it off. After picking up a ground out, D. Fernandez, would reach on an error. Fernandez, would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a pop out, P. Wilson, would bring in Fernandez with a single. Jenkins, would intercept the throw home to throw out Wilson trying to take 2nd on the play to end the game a seal the 9-1 win for the 6-AAA Region Champion Pickens Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 1 RBI, 2 steals, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 ground rule double, 1 walk, 2 steals, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 3 singles, and 3 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1 hit by pitch, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Everett Grubbs: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R/0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K on 95 pitches
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Final 6-AAA Standings:
Pickens: 27-3 (18-3) *region champs
North Hall: 24-6 (18-3)
GAC: 15-11 (13-8)
Dawson: 15-15 (12-9)
White County: 20-10 (12-9)
Lumpkin: 13-17 (8-13)
Chestatee: 7-23 (3-18)
Johnson-Gainesville: 0-26 (0-21)
With the win, the Dragons are guaranteed a top 8 seed in next week’s AAA State Baseball Tournament. At last check, the Dragons were ranked the #3 team in the PSR (Post Season Ranking). We will find out over the weekend where the Dragons are seeded and who their first round opponent will be. The first round will begin on Friday, April 24th with a doubleheader and the “if” game being on Saturday, April 25th.
Region championship to be decided in regular season finale
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 17, 2026
Norcross, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made their way down to Norcross on Thursday, April 16th to take on the Greater Atlanta Christian School Spartans in game two of a three game series. The Dragons, ame in looking for a series win and to move one step closer to a region title. The Spartans, came in looking to even up the series, and to help out North Hall in the process. A four run bottom of the fifth, helped the Spartans pull away and pick up an 8-4 victory.
The Dragons, would look to get going early as Robert Turner, would reach on a lead off double on the first pitch of the game. Jennings Allen, would then reach on an error as Turner would move up to 3rd on the play. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 1-0 Dragons. Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Allen and Lowit, would move up a base after a ground out. The Spartans, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Christian Starks, would get the ball to start for the Dragons in game two. After picking up a line out and a ground out, I. Cobbs, would keep the bottom of the first going for the Spartans with a single. Starks, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the second, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
Everett Grubbs, would lead off the top of the second with a double. E. Grubbs, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Matthew Davis, would drive in E. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 2-0. After a line out, Davis, would steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. The Spartans, would get out of the second with a ground out. E. Hill, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single.
After a strikeout, D. Fernandez, would reach with a 1-out single. Starks, would come back with his second strikeout of the inning. P. Wilson, would drive in both Hill and Fernandez with a 2-RBI double to tie the game. Starks, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the game was tied at 2.
Lowit, would look to start something for the Dragons in the top of the third as he would be hit by a pitch. He would be left stranded at 1st however as the Spartans would pick up a fly out and a ground out. After a strikeout to start the bottom of the third, Cobbs and J. Givens, would reach with back to back 1-out singles. Starks, would get out of the third after an infield fly and a strikeout to keep the game tied at 2 going to the fourth.
After two quick outs to start the top of the fourth, Davis, would reach with his second hit of the day with a double. Turner, would follow that up by drawing a walk. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a pop out. Truitt Grubbs, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fourth. After a ground out, R. Williams, would give the Spartans the lead with a solo home run.
P. Wilson, would then be hit by a pitch. T. Grubbs, would force a pair of pop outs to get out of the fourth with just the one run given up. Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 3-2.
In the top of the fifth, Lowit, would reach base for a third time as he would reach on an error. After a strikeout for the second out, Truitt and Everett Grubbs, would reach with back to back singles to load the bases. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth with a line out. Cobbs, would lead off the bottom of the fifth with his second infield single of the game. Givens, would follow that with his second hit to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
After a pop out, M. Trojanowski, would drive in Cobbs with an RBI double to make it 4-2. Fernandez, would then draw a walk to load the bases. After a pop out for the second out, P. Wilson, would clear the bases with a 3-RBI double to make it 7-2 Spartans heading to the sixth.
Davis, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk. Turner, would follow that by drawing a four pitch walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Allen, would reach with a single to load the bases. Jenkins, would bring in Davis after drawing the third walk of the inning to make it 7-3. The Spartans, would then trade the run for the outs as Turner would come in to score as GAC would turn a double play. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a pop out.
In the bottom of the sixth, T. Stopher, would hit a lead off home run to make it 8-4 Spartans. Cobbs, would follow that up with a single. After a fly out, Cobbs, would advance to 2nd on a ground out. Jackson Nunn, who came on to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the sixth, would pick up a strikeout to send it to the seventh with the Spartans leading, 8-4.
Truitt Grubbs, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a full count walk. Everett Grubbs, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The would be left stranded as the Spartans would pick up a fly out, a pop out, and a force out as GAC would take game two, 8-4.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 double, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-4 with 1 single
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 walk
Everett Grubbs: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 3 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 5 K on 60 pitches
Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
It all comes down to Friday, April 17th. The final day of the regular season. The Pickens Dragons and the North Hall Trojans both enter the day tied at the top of the 6-AAA standings. The Trojans, will be at home taking on the Chestatee War Eagles, while the Dragons, will be at home to finish out the series against the GAC Spartans. Should both teams win, the Dragons, hold the tiebreaker by winning the series against the Trojans earlier in the season.
Same scenario if both teams should lose. If the Dragons win and the Trojans lose, the Dragons are the region champions and vice versa. Both games are scheduled to start at 6 pm. There will be plenty of eyes on both games.
Rices tosses complete game against GAC
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 15, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The final week of the regular season is upon us as the Pickens Dragons, took on the Spartans of Greater Atlanta Christian School in game one of a three game set on Tuesday, April 14th. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were up a game on North Hall atop the 6-AAA standings. The Spartans, were locked into the #3 seed from 6-AAA heading into their state tournament. The Dragons, behind a complete game from Auburn signee AJ Rice, took game one, 3-1.
Rice, would force a pop up on the second pitch of the game for the first out in the top of the first. the Spartans, would then pick up back to back singles from T. Stopher and I. Cobbs to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1-out. J. Givens, would then reach on an error which would allow Stopher to score to make it 1-0 Spartans. A wild pitch, would move both Cobbs and Givens up a base.
Rice, would limit the damage as he picked up a strikeout and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the frame, Robert Turner, would get things started with a lead off single to left on the first pitch. Jennings Allen, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Kam Jenkins, would drive in both Turner and Allen with a 2-RBI double to make it 2-1 Dragons.
Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then advance to 3rd after a pick off throw sailed into center field. Dawson Lowit, would be hit by a pitch to put runners on 1st and 3rd. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Kirchoff, would come in to score after Christian Starks, would reach on a fielder’s choice. Lowit, would be forced out at 3rd on the play.
Everett Grubbs, would move his brother Truitt up to 3rd after a fly out to center. Starks, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. The Spartans, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the second, the Dragons led it, 3-1.
In the top of the second, Rice, would strikeout the side on 11 pitches to bring the bats back up for the Dragons. In the bottom of the second, Allen, would look to get something going after a pair of ground outs as he would reach with a 2-out single. Allen, would then steal 2nd, and then take 3rd after the throw got into the outfield. The Spartans, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, it was still 3-1 Dragons.
In the top of the third, Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out for the first two outs. Cobbs, would keep the inning alive for the Spartans by drawing a walk. Cobbs, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rice, would get out of the third with a strikeout. Lowit, would lead off the bottom of the third by drawing a walk. The Spartans, would then turn a 4-6-3 double play. A fly out, would send it to the fourth with Pickens leading, 3-1.
Rice, would pick up his 7th and 8th strikeout to begin the fourth inning. D. Fernandez, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Fernandez, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. R. Williams, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Rice, would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the fourth. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fourth. Heading to the fifth, it was still 3-1 Dragons.
The Spartans, would again look for some 2-out magic as Cobbs, would reach with a single. He would be left stranded however as Rice would pick up his 10th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons, would look to add to their lead as Jenkins would reach with a 2-out single. Lowit and T. Grubbs, would follow with back to back walks to load the bases.
The final out of the fifth would come after a little rundown as the Spartans would apply the tag at home to keep the Dragon lead at 3-1 heading to the sixth.
In what had been the case the last several innings, the Spartans, would try again to get something going with 2-outs as Fernandez would reach with his 2nd hit of the day. Rice, would pick up his 12th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the sixth with Pickens still ahead, 3-1. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, it was still 3-1.
Rice, would come back out for the seventh looking to finish this one off. Rice, would cap off a brilliant start with his 13 strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out as the Dragons picked up the 3-1 win in game one.
Stats for the Dragons:
AJ Rice: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 13 K on 104 pitches
Robert Turner: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1 HBP, and 2 walks
Truitt Grubbs: 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1 RBI
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The series will shift over to Norcross on Thursday, April 16th for game two of the three game series. A win for the Dragons would give them the series win and one step closer to another region championship. The Spartans, will look to even up the series, and help out North Hall in the process. First pitch for game two is set for 6 pm.
Dragons run rule War Eagles to sweep series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 11, 2026
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back in Gainesville on Friday, April 10th as they took on the Chestatee War Eagles in their series finale. The Dragons, were looking for a series sweep, while the War Eagles were looking to build some momentum before the final week of the regular season. A 7 run fifth inning, helped the Dragons pick up a 12-0 win in game three.
Robert Turner, would lead off the top of the first with a single. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a line out and a pop out, A wild pitch, would advance Turner to 3rd. Dawson Lowit, would keep the inning alive by reaching on an error as Turner would come in to score to make it 1-0. Lowit, would move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. AJ Rice, would then draw a 2-out walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd.
Truitt Grubbs, would drive in Lowit with a single to make it 2-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the first. Dragons starter Everett Grubbs, would pick up two quick outs to start the bottom of the first on a strikeout and a line out. C. Edmonson, would draw a 2-out walk to keep the inning going for the War Eagles. E. Grubbs, would pick up his second strikeout to send it to the second with the Dragons leading, 2-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the second after a pair of pop outs and a line out. In the bottom of the second, E. Grubbs, would pick up pop out and a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the top of the third, Pickens, still led Chestatee, 2-0.
Kam Jenkins, would look to get a 2-out rally started for the Dragons in the top of the third with a single. Lowit, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a pop out. E. Ertis, would lead off the bottom of the third with the first hit of the day for the War Eagles. E. Grubbs, would work around that as he picked up a strikeout, a pop out, and a line out. The Dragons led it, 2-0 heading to the fourth.
Christian Starks, would start the top of the fourth by reaching on a 1-out double. E. Grubbs, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a pop out, Turner, would drive in both Starks and courtesy runner Cal Morrison with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Turner, would advance to 2nd on the play. Jennings Allen, would bring in Turner with an RBI single as the Dragons led the War Eagles 5-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth.
E. Grubbs, would toss another scoreless inning in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts to bring his total to seven for the game. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led Chestatee, 5-0.
Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fifth by reaching on an error. Lowit, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch for the second time. After a pop out, T. Grubbs, would reach with a single to load the bases with 1-out. A single by Starks, would bring in courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff to make it 6-0. E. Grubbs, would help himself out as he would drive in pitch runner Tanner Bail and T. Grubbs with an RBI single to make it 8-0.
Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Turner, would bring in Starks as he would reach on a fielder’s choice to make it 9-0. After Turner would steal 2nd, Morrison, the courtesy runner, and Turner, would come in to score after Allen would reach on a dropped third strike to make it 11-0. After a 2-out single by Jenkins to keep the inning going, Bail, would drive in Allen with a single to make it 12-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Jackson Nunn, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the bottom of the fifth. After a ground out, R. Head would reach on a 1-out single. Nunn, would come back with a strikeout for the second out. M. Allison, would then be hit by a pitch to keep the game alive for the War Eagles. Nunn, would pick up a ground out to seal the 12-0 win in five innings for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 steals, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-4 with 2 singles
Dawson Lowit: 2 HBP, and 1 run scored
Tanner Bail: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 1 walk
Truitt Grubbs: 2-3 with 2 singles and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs socred
Everett Grubbs: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, and 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 K on 49 pitches
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Jackson Nunn: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 HBP, 1 K on 11 pitches
Cal Morrison: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
6-AAA Region Standings:
Pickens: 25-2 (16-2)
North Hall: 21-6 (15-3)
GAC: 14-9 (12-6)
Dawson: 13-14 (10-8)
White County: 17-10 (9-9)
Lumpkin: 12-14 (7-11)
Chestatee: 7-20 (3-15)
Johnson-Gainesville: 0-23 (0-18)
The Dragons, will wrap up the regular season with a three game series against Greater Atlanta Christian School beginning on Tuesday, April 14th at Dunn Field in Jasper. First pitch is set for 6 pm.
Dragons take series against War Eagles
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 10, 2026
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back home on Thursday, April 9th as they welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to Dunn Field for game two of their three game set. The Dragons, came into the game looking for a series win while the War Eagles, were looking to even up the series. Prior to the game, the Dragons all-time home run leader, Jake King, added to his total against the War Eagles. Early offense by the Dragons, helped seize control of the game as they would come away with a 9-2 victory.
Senior Christian Starks, made his 2nd start of the season as he took the mound for the Dragons. Starks, would work around a 2-out triple by Carter Edmonson as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Robert Turner, would reach with a lead off single up the middle. Turner, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position.
Jennings Allen, would drive in Turner with an RBI double to make it 1-0 Dragons. Allen, would move up to 3rd after a ground out. Dawson Lowit, would reach after being hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. AJ Rice, would bring in Allen with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Lowit, would advance to 3rd on a fly out to put runners at the corners with 2-out. Rice, would swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd.
The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the top of the second, Pickens led Chestatee, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Starks, would toss another scoreless frame as he picked up a pop out and a pair of strikeouts. Everett Grubbs, would lead off the bottom of the second by drawing a walk. E. Grubbs, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would make it 3-0 Dragons. Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play. Turner, would draw the second walk of the inning to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out.
Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI double to make it 4-0. Kam Jenkins, would bring in Turner with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0. Allen, would move up to 3rd on the play. Lowit, would be hit by a pitch for the second time to put runners at the corners with 1-out. Lowit, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Rice, would draw a walk to load the bases. Truitt Grubbs, would then draw a walk of his own to bring in Allen to make it 6-0.
Starks, would help himself as he would drive in both Lowit and Rice with a 2-RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a pair of pop outs. Heading to the third, Pickens led Chestatee, 8-0.
The War Eagles, would look to get something going in the top of the third as E. Ertis, would draw a lead off walk. M. Allison, would then reach on an infield single. The Dragons, questioned if Allison interfered with Lowit’s attempt to catch the ball, but it was ruled that Allison didn’t. Ertis, would advance to 3rd on the play. Starks, would settle in and would strike out the side to send it to the bottom of the inning with the Dragons still up, 8-0.
Turner, would reach base for a third time as he would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. Allen, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jenkins, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Allen would be forced out at 2nd. Turner, would move up to 3rd on the play. Turner, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 9-0. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would also move up to 2nd on the same pitch.
Lowit, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Kirchoff, would advance to 3rd on the play. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a line out. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the War Eagles, 9-0.
Truitt Grubbs, would come on to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the fourth. He would pick up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. Drew Dunlap, in to hit for Starks, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. Dunlap, would be left stranded at 2nd as the War Eagles would pick up a pop out, a strikeout, and a ground out to send it to the fifth with Pickens still leading, 9-0.
T. Grubbs, on in his second inning of relief, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to keep the War Eagles scoreless. In the bottom of the fifth, Jackson Walker, would reach on a bloop single to center with 1-out. Tanner Bail, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as courtesy runner MT Crenshaw would be forced out at 2nd. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with another force out as the Dragons still led it, 9-0 going to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Edmonson, would reach with a 2-out double. Cort Hagerman, would drive in Edmonson with an RBI single to make it 9-1. Trenton Eaton, would bring in Hagerman with an RBI double to make it 9-2. Chase Hulsey, who came in to pitch the top of the sixth for the Dragons, would limit the damage after picking up his second strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth on a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout. Heading to the seventh, Pickens now led Chestatee, 9-2.
Elijah Barton, would come in to pitch for the Dragons in the top of the seventh. Barton, would seal the win for Pickens as he would strike out the side on 13 pitches as the Dragons took game two, 9-2.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 3 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 2-2 with 2 doubles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 RBI
Jackson Walker: 1-1 with 1 single
Dawson Lowit: 2 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Truitt Grubbs: 1 walk and 1 RBI and 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 20 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 7 K on 40 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 1-2 with 1 single
Everett Grubbs: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Chase Hulsey: 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 2 K on 16 pitches
Elijah Barton: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K on 13 pitches
With the win, the Dragons, pick up another series win and remain a game ahead of North Hall for the top spot in the region standings. The Dragons, will head back to Gainesville for the series finale against the Chestatee War Eagles on Friday, April 10th. First pitch is set for 6 pm.
Rice and Davis combine to shutout War Eagles
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 8, 2026
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were on the road on Tuesday, April 7th as they took on the Chestatee War Eagles in game one of a three game series in 6-AAA play. The Dragons, were coming off a series win against the Dawson Tigers last week. The War Eagles, were looking to bounce back after being swept by GAC. Starter AJ Rice and reliever Nolan Davis, would combine to throw a 1-hit shutout as the Dragons picked up a 5-0 win.
The Dragons, would go down quietly in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out. Heading to the second inning, the Dragons and War Eagles, were still tied at 0.
Much like the top of the first, the Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the second as War Eagle starter Cort Hagerman, would pick up a pop out, a ground out, and a line out. In the bottom of the second, Rice, would pick up his third strikeout to go along with a ground out and a pop out. Heading to the third, the ball game was still knotted at 0 .
Everett Grubbs, would lead off the top of the third with the first hit of the game. after a pop out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. A single by Robert Turner, would load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would drive in both E. Grubbs and M. Davis with a 2-RBI single to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a caught stealing and a ground out.
Rice, would continue his hot start to the game as he tossed a scoreless bottom of the third with a pop out and his 4th and 5th strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons, were now leading the War Eagles, 2-0.
The Dragons, would add to their lead in the top of the fourth as Christian Starks, would reach with a 2-out single. Starks, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. E. Grubbs, would bring in Starks with an RBI single to make it 3-0. E. Grubbs, would swipe 2nd to advance into scoring position. The War Eagles, would get out of the fourth with a pop out.
In the bottom of the fourth, the War Eagles, would see their first base runner of the game as Riley Nix, would draw a walk with 1-out. Nix, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Rice, would settle in as he would strike out the next two batters he faced to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the War Eagles, 3-0.
The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth on a ground out and a pair of line outs. In the bottom of the fifth, Trenton Eaton, would lead off by getting hit with a pitch. Rice, would come back to pick up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Ethan Etris, would pick up the first hit of the game for the War Eagles to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Garrett Dunn, would draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Rice, would force a pop out to keep the War Eagles scoreless.
In the top of the sixth, after a pair of quick outs, Truitt Grubbs, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by reaching on a 2-out single. Starks, would follow that up by getting hit by a pitch. E. Grubbs, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Drew Dunlap, would reach on a single that would score T. Grubbs. Starks, would come in to score on a throwing error to make it 5-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would polish off a fantastic start with a ground out and his 11th and 12 strikeout. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the War Eagles, 5-0.
In the top of the seventh, Allen, would reach after drawing a 1-out walk. Allen, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Kam Jenkins, would move Allen over to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would be left stranded at 3rd as the War Eagles got out of the seventh with a strikeout. Nolan Davis, would come in to pitch the bottom of the seventh for the Dragons looking to preserve the shutout.
N. Davis, would get the first two outs of the bottom of the seventh via ground out and strikeout. Back to back 2-out walks drawn by Ryland Head and Ertis, would keep the game alive for the War Eagles. N. Davis, would pick up a strikeout to preserve the shutout as the Dragons took game one, 5-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
Robert Turner: 1-4 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 steal, and 2 RBI
Truitt Grubbs: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 2 runs scored
Everett Grubbs: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
AJ Rice: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 12 K on 89 pitches
Nolan Davis: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 K on 24 pitches
The series will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Thursday, April 9th as the Dragons will look to pick up their sixth straight series win. The War Eagles, will look to tie the series up before the series finale on Friday back at Chestatee. Scheduled time for game two of the series on Thursday is set for 6 pm.