Dragons pull off shocker; Advance to Final Four
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 8, 2025
Harlem, Ga — A trip to the Final Four was on the line as the Pickens Dragons made the trip down to Harlem to take on the #1 seeded Bulldogs on Wednesday, May 7th. Coming into the game, the Bulldogs, were sporting a 107-3 record since 2023, and were ranked 10th in the nation by MaxPreps. The Dragons, came in winners of five straight, and were looking to avenge last year’s loss. The Dragons, would do just that as they swept the doubleheader, 8-3 and 5-1.
Game one:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. In the bottom of the frame, D. Titus would look to get something going by drawing a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. A. Fox, would give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead with a 2-run double. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would get out of the first with a pair of strikeouts. Heading to the second, the Bulldogs led the Dragons, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would draw a lead off walk. Dawson Lowit, would follow by drawing a walk of his own. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come around to score as Matthew Davis reached on an error. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Jennings Allen, would draw the fourth walk of the inning to bring in Lowit to tie the game at 2.
A.J. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at home. Starks, would help himself out by driving in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-2 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, D. Smith would draw a 1-out walk. The Bulldogs, would then decide to test the arm of Kam Jenkins and Jenkins would throw out Smith at 2nd.
Starks, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to get out of the second and send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-2.
In the top of the third, Lowit, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach base with 1-out. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Davis, would follow with a single to load the bases. Holland, would bring in both Lowit and pitch runner Ezra Faber with a 2-RBI single to make it 6-2 Dragons. Davis, would come in to score after Allen reached on a fielder’s choice.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the third with a pop out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame with a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 7-2.
In the top of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach with a 1-out single. Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton and courtesy runner Dunlap, would move up a base on a dropped 3rd strike. Sutton would come in to score as Faber would reach on an error as the ball fell in between the pitcher and the 1st baseman.
The Bulldogs, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 7-2. The Bulldogs, would look to get something started to begin the bottom of the fourth as A. Fox would draw a walk, and B. Knight would be hit by a pitch. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout, T. Lindo would reach with a 1-out single to load the bases.
Abernathy, would pick up his 2nd strikeout and a fly out to get out of the jam and send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 8-2.
In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. He would be left stranded as the Bulldogs would pick up a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the inning, D. Titus, would lead off with a double. Titus, would look to advance to 3rd after a passed ball, but he would be thrown out. W. Holder and S. Harshbarger would then reach with back to back singles.
The Dragons, would get out of the fifth after turning a 4-6-3 double play. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Harlem, 8-2.
The Dragons, would go down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth on a pair of strikeouts and a fly out. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, would pick up the first two outs on a pair of strikeouts. T. Lindo, would keep the inning alive for the Bulldogs with a 2-out single. D. Reed, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo with an RBI single to make it 8-3.
Abernathy, would get out of the sixth with his 3rd strikeout of the inning to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading, 8-3.
Faber, would lead off the seventh with a single. Davis, would move Faber up to 2nd with a sacrifice bunt. Faber, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Holland. The Bulldogs, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. W. Holder, would lead off the bottom of the seventh with a double. Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Abernathy. After an intentional walk, the Dragons would pick up a fly out for the first out.
Walls, would then force a pop out and a line out to close things out as the Dragons would take game one, 8-3.
Stats for the Dragons in Game one:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 3 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 54 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Dawson Lowit: 2 walks and 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single
Ezra Faber: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 5 K on 53 pitches
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 6 pitches
Game two:
For the second game of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would be the home team. In the top of the first, D. Titus would draw a 1-out walk. W. Holder, would follow that up with a single. After the Dragons decided to intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases for a chance at a force out at any base, starter A.J. Rice, would pick up a strikeout and a ground out to get out of the early jam.
The Dragons, would go down quietly in the bottom of the first on a strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Rice, would toss a 1-2-3 top of the second with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Christian Starks, would follow that with an RBI double that scored Lowit to make it 1-0 Dragons. Starks, would be thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch it into a triple. The Bulldogs, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
Rice, picked up his 4th and 5th strikeout and a ground out in a scoreless top of the third. In the bottom of the inning, Georgia Southern commit Will Holder, would strike out the side to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still ahead, 1-0.
Rice, would continue his nice outing with a scoreless fourth inning as he picked up his 6th strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cade Sutton, would reach on a 1-out triple. After a strikeout, Sutton, would come in to score as Lowit would reach on an error. Starks, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out.
Pitch runner Zach Williams, would come around to score on a single by Sam Hammontree to make it 3-0 Dragons. Matthew Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Dawson Holland, would add to the lead with a 2-RBI double that scored Starks and Hammontree. It looked like Davis got under the tag, but he would be called out to end the fourth. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Bulldogs, 5-0.
Rice, would pick up his 7th, 8th, and 9th strikeout in the top of the fifth as he struck out the side to send it to the bottom of the frame. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the fifth on a line out and a pair of ground outs. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 5-0.
The Bulldogs, would look to make it a game in the top of the sixth as W. Spivey, D. Titus, and Holder, reached back-to-back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out. Rice, would settle down as he picked up his 10th and 11th strikeout and a ground out to get out of the sixth without any damage done. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the inning. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Harlem, 5-0.
Dylan Walls would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the seventh to try and close things out. After a line out, T. Lindo, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Lindo, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. D. Smith, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. An RBI single by W. Spivey, would bring in Lindo to make it 5-1. Walls, would settle in and pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out.
Walls, would then get Holder to ground out to Rice at short. Rice would step on 2nd to force out Spivey and the Dragons would take game two, 5-1 to sweep the series and advance to the Final Four.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K on 105 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches
The Dragons, will have to be road warriors once again as they head down to LaGrange to take on Troup County in a best of three series starting on Tuesday, May 13th in a doubleheader.
Dragons advance to fourth straight Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was the start of the AAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday, April 25th as the #8 seed Pickens Dragons, took on the #25 seed Dougherty Trojans in a best of three series in the first round. The Dragons, would take game one, 16-1 in four innings. Game two, was back and forth with the Dragons breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. After waiting out a line of storms, the Dragons defeated the Trojans in game two, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Game one:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. After a fly out, Rice, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. He would then move up to 3rd after a balk was called. Rice, would then come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to reach 1st. Kam Jenkins, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Dawson Lowit, would bring in Sutton to score after reaching on an error by the short stop. Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons.
Lowit, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowit and Davis with a 2-run single to make it 5-0. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Rice, would drive in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons after one.
Rice, would pick up where he left off in the top of the first as he struck out a pair and forced a ground out in a scoreless second. In the bottom of the second, Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Hammontree, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Davis, would bring in both Dunlap and Hammontree with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the third.
In the top of the third, Kingston Offord, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans with a lead off single. Offord, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, Offord, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Offord, would come in to score as Joshua Weaver would reach on an error to make it 10-1. Jenkins, would throw out Weaver trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons ahead, 10-1.
Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. The Trojans, would then pick up a double play as Sutton would line out to short, and Starks would be caught in no-man’s-land as he would get thrown out at 1st. The Trojans, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Dougherty, 10-1.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. Faber, would work around a 1-out walk as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Lowit, would lead off with a double. Hammontree, would then reach on an error as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff would advance to 3rd on the play. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.
Davis, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 11-1. Holland, would then drive in Hammontree with a single to make it 12-1. Allen, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-RBI triple to make it 14-1. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Rice, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 15-1.
Starks, would draw a walk to again put runners at the corners. Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to walk it off and seal the game one win for the Dragons, 16-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 walk on 49 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 3-3 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game two:
For game two, the teams flipped sides with Dougherty being the designated home team. In the top of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Rice, would be picked off at 2nd. It looked like he had gotten his foot underneath the tag, but he was called out. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.
Dragons starter Christian Starks, would toss a scoreless bottom of the first with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a double. An error by the left fielder, would allow Jenkins to come around to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sam Hammontree, would be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a fly out, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.
Jennings Allen, would then work a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. The Trojans, would get out of the bases loaded jam as they would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Starks, would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a ground out, a fly out and a pop out. The Trojans, would also go down in order in the bottom of the inning as Starks would induce three ground outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, it was more of the same for the Dragons as they went down 1-2-3 a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Miller, would reach with a lead off double. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. Courtesy runner Rodney Pruitt, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would then make a great play as he would catch a pop fly tailing into foul territory, and then turn and throw the back towards home.
A 2-out RBI single by Kameron Knighton, would bring in Pruitt to tie the game at 1. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the game all knotted up at 1.
Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a pop out, Holland, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Abernathy, hitting in Starks’ spot, would draw a walk to load the bases. The Dragons, thought they had taken the lead as it looked like Cade Sutton had reached on a fielder’s choice.
However, the umpires would call interference on Abernathy which meant Sutton would be called out, ending the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, after a strikeout, Kingston Offord, would reach on a 1-out single. Offord, would then advance to 2nd on a ground out. Offord, would then take a risk and steal 3rd with 2-outs. Brayden Still, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners.
Still, would then advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Abernathy, would settle in and pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 1.
In the top of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would reach on an error by the short stop. Hammontree and Matthew Davis, would then be hit by back to back pitches to load the bases with 1-out. Holland, would clear the bases with a 3-run triple to make it 4-1 Dragons. Allen, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-1. The Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Abernathy in the bottom of the sixth. After Walls forced a ground out for the first out, the storms came. After a couple hour delay, the game would resume. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Walls. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth as Lowit would throw out a would be base stealer, and Jenkins would induce a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-1.
In the top of the seventh, Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own. Lowit, would follow suit and draw a third straight walk to load the bases. Zach Williams, pitch-hitting for Hammontree, would bring in both Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 7-1. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 8-1.
After Davis was hit by a pitch, Holland, would draw a walk to load the bases. Allen, would bring in both Williams and Davis to make it 10-1. Holland, would then come in to score on a balk to make it 11-1. Allen, would come in to score on a passed ball to make it 12-1. The Trojans, would get out of the seventh with a double play. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 12-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would work around a 1-out hit batsman as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts as the Dragons defeated the Trojans, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 double and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 47 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, and 2 K on 19 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2 hit by pitch and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 walk and 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 35 pitches
Dylan Walls: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 5 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, advance to the Sweet 16 where they will take on the #9 seed LaGrange Grangers. LaGrange, swept the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the next round. The best of three series will begin on Thursday, May 1st, with a doubleheader. Times yet to be determined as of this writing.
Dragons pick up road win at Dawson
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 2, 2025
Dawsonville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the short ride up to Dawson County on Tuesday, April 1st to begin a very important three game series with the Dawson Tigers. The Dragons, were coming off an expected sweep of Johnson, while the Tigers were looking to rebound after losing two of three to GAC. The Dragons, behind solid pitching performances from A.J. Rice and Dylan Walls and an offense that got going in the third, picked up a 10-0 win in five innings.
In the top of the first, Tigers starter Tate Tangel, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a line out to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the first, Rice, would pick up a pop out and a strikeout for the first two outs of the inning. A 2-out triple by Jacson Rickett, would keep the inning alive for the Tigers. Rice, would force a ground out to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then tag and advance to 3rd on a line out. Tangel and the Tigers, would get out of the second with a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the second, Rice, would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the third with the score still even at 0.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the top of the third by drawing a walk. Holland, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Jennings Allen, would then move Holland over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Rice, would bring in Holland with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Starks, would move Rice over to 3rd with a ground out.
Rice, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 2-0 Dragons. Tangel, would get out of the third with a fly out. In the bottom of the third, Rice, picked up two strikeouts for the first two outs of the frame. Preston Bannister, would keep the inning going for the Tigers with a 2-out single. Rice, would end the third with a strikeout to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 2-0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the fourth by reaching on an error. Lowit, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt by Matthew Davis, would move the runners up a base. Sam Hammontree, would drive in courtesy runner Zach Williams and Lowit with a single to make it 4-0. Hammontree, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball.
After Holland drew his 2nd walk, Allen would drive in Hammontree with an RBI double. Holland and Allen, would come in to score on a single by Rice. Rice, would be thrown out trying to take 2nd on the play. The Tigers, would get out of the fourth with a line out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, Pickens led Dawson, 7-0. Rickett, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a single for his 2nd hit of the day.
After Rice forced a fly out for the first out, Rickett, would be thrown out by Jenkins after trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would end the fourth with his 7th strikeout of the game to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading, 7-0.
Cade Sutton, would lead off the top of the fifth by reaching on an error. After a strikeout, Sutton, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a pop out for the 2nd out, Sutton, would come in to score as Davis would reach on a single. Davis, would advance to 2nd on the play. An RBI single from Hammontree, would make it 9-0 Dragons. Holland, would drive Hammontree in with an RBI double to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Dylan Walls, making his 2nd appearance of the season, would come on in relief of Rice in the bottom of the fifth. Walls, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to seal a 10-0 win for the Dragons in five innings.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 3 RBI, 1 run scored & 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 58 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-3 with 1 double, 1 single, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 sacrifice bunt, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 1-1 with 1 double, 2 walks, 1 RBI, and 2 runs socred
Jennings Allen: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 sacrifice bunt, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 12 pitches
The series will shift over to Jasper and Dunn Field on Thursday, April 3rd as the Dragons will look to keep pace with North Hall. The first pitch for game two is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons celebrate Senior Night with series sweep
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a special night for the Pickens Dragons as they honored four Seniors on Friday, March 28th for Senior Night. Sam Hammontree, Dawson Holland, Coleman Keener, and Cade Sutton were all in the starting 9 as the Dragons took on the Johnson Knights in the series finale. The Dragons, would take game three, 11-1 in five innings for the series sweep.
A welcomed sight for the Dragons in the top of the first as starting pitcher Dylan Walls, made his season debut. Walls, would work around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a fly out in his lone inning of work. In the bottom of the inning, Cade Sutton, would look to get something started after being hit with a pitch with 2-outs. The Knights, would get out of the first with no harm done. Heading to the second, Pickens and Johnson were tied at 0.
Christian Starks, would come on in relief of Walls in the top of the second. Starks, would strikeout the side on 14 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom half of the frame, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a lead off single. His courtesy runner, Zach Williams, would advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a ground out, Williams, would steal 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Williams with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Ezra Faber, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Coleman Keener, would then drive in both Hammontree and Faber with a 2-RBI double. A.J. Rice, would follow that up with an RBI double that scored Keener to make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the third.
Starks, would work a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons, would go down in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-0.
In the top of the fourth, Starks, in his third inning of relief, worked around a 1-out walk to pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Hammontree, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double. After a line out, Hammontree would steal 3rd. After a strikeout, Rice, would reach on an infield single that would score Hammontree to make it 5-0.
A single by Starks, would move Rice all the way to 3rd. Starks, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Rice, would come in to score after a wild pitch. Starks, would advance to 3rd on the play. Sutton, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-out. Sutton and Starks, would then pull off a double steal as Sutton would swipe 2nd, and Starks would steal home. Sutton, would advance to 3rd after the throw home got by the catcher.
Kam Jenkins, would then drive in Sutton with an RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the fifth.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the fifth. After a pair of strikeouts, the Knights, would load the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. Alex Alvarez, would reach on an error that would score Felipi Delgado to make it 8-1. Abernathy, would limit the damage to just the one run as he forced a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis, who came on a replacement for Dawson Holland, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Davis, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Caden Kirchoff, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Kirchoff would be forced out at 2nd.
Faber, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. An RBI ground out by Jennings Allen, would bring in Davis to make it 9-1. Rice, would then drive in Faber with an RBI double to make it 10-1 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 3rd to move up a base. Starks, would then reach on an infield single as Rice would come in to score to give the Dragons the 11-1 victory.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 3-4 with 1 single, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, & 3 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 29 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Coleman Keener: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk
Jennings Allen: 1 RBI
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 19 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches
6-AAA Region Standings:
North Hall: 14-5 (10-2)
Pickens: 17-4 (9-3)
GAC: 11-7 (8-4)
Dawson: 13-8 (8-4)
Chestatee: 6-15 (5-7)
Lumpkin: 10-10 (4-8)
White County: 9-11 (4-8)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-19 (0-12)
The Dragons, will take to the road to begin a three game series with the Dawson Tigers on Tuesday, April 1st. The Dragons, will be looking to keep pace with North Hall at the top of the region standings. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons shut out Knights to win series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 27, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip over to Gainesville on Thursday, March 27th to take on the Johnson Knights in game two of their three game region series. The Dragons, who took game one on Tuesday, 15-0 in three innings, were looking to pick up the series win and keep pace at the top of the region standings. The Dragons, did just that as the bats were alive and the pitching was spectacular as they came away with a 17-0 win in three innings.
Christian Starks, would reach base on an error with 1-out. Starks, would come around to score on an error to make it 1-0 Dragons early. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going with a single. He would make it all the way to 3rd on an error. Dawson Lowit, would knock in Jenkins with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Zach Williams, the courtesy runner for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position.
Matthew Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Williams and Davis, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Knights, would get out of the first with a fly out to center. Heading to the bottom of the frame, Pickens led Johnson, 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to send it to the second with the Dragons leading the Knights, 2-0.
Sam Hammontree, would lead off the top of the second with a double. An infield single by Jennings Allen, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A.J. Rice, would drive in both Hammontree and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Rice, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd.
Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI double to make it 5-0. Starks, would then steal 3rd. An RBI ground out by Jenkins, would make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Nunn, picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons ahead, 6-0.
Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Dawson Holland, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 3rd. After Holland stole 2nd to get into scoring position, Hammontree, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance Holland and Hammontree up a base.
Allen, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-put. Chase Hulsey, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, would drive in Holland with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Zach Williams, would then be hit with a pitch as Hammontree would come in to score. A double by Cade Sutton, would bring in both Allen and Hulsey to make it 10-0. Jenkins, would then drive in Williams with an RBI single to make it 11-0.
After Lowit drew a walk to load the bases, Davis, would drive in Sutton and Jenkins with a 2-RBI single to make it 13-0. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Daven Abernathy, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Davis, would move up to 3rd on the play. Caden Kirchoff, would keep the inning going with a walk. Coleman Keener, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 15-0.
Hulsey, would draw a walk to load the bases. Williams, would follow that by drawing a walk to bring in Kirchoff to make it 16-0. Keener, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 17-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third. Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the third. After a pair of strikeouts, Joe Sanchez, would reach base on an error. Sanchez, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.
Faber, would shake that off to pick up his 3rd strikeout of the inning to seal the 17-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Chase Hulsey: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 HBP, 1 BB, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 21 pitches
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 19 pitches
The Dragons, will look to sweep the series on Friday, March 28th in the series finale. It will also be Senior Night as the Dragons will honor the Seniors who have become the winningest class in Pickens Baseball history. The first pitch for the series finale is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons pick up win in series opener against Lumpkin
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 19, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was time for week three of 6-AAA play as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians in game one of their three game set on Tuesday, March 18th. The Dragons, were coming off a tough series against North Hall where they were only able to win one game. The Indians, were looking to rebound after being swept by Greater Atlanta Christian. A.J. Rice, would throw a complete game as the Dragons would pick up the win, 5-1.
Rice, the Junior Auburn commit, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Mason Hester as he would strike out the side in the top of the first. In the bottom half of the first, Christian Starks, would look to get something started with a 1-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position with 2-outs. Starks, would then move to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Kam Jenkins, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. An RBI double by Dawson Lowitt, would bring in courtesy runner Zach Williams to make it 2-0. Dawson Holland, would keep the line moving with a single to put runners at the corners with 2-out. Holland, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to load the bases.
Indians starter Adian Rogers, would get out of the inning with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Dragons, led the Indians, 2-0.
Matthew Mitchell, would lead off the top of the second with a single. Jayzen Johnson, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Mitchell would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would get out of the second after another ground out, and his 4th strikeout as the Indians left Johnson stranded. Jennings Allen, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to get into scoring position with 1-out.
Starks, would bring in Allen with an RBI triple to make it 3-0 Dragons. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with an RBI single as Starks would come in to score to make it 4-0. After Sutton was caught trying to steal 2nd, Jenkins would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Rogers and the Indians, would get out of the second with a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-0.
After Rice began the third inning with a pair of quick outs, A. Flanagan, would look to get something going for the Indians as he reached with a 2-out single. Hester, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs. Hester, would then get caught in a rundown long enough for Flanagan to come in to score to make it 4-1. Rice, would get out of the third with a fly out to send it to the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the third, Holland, would lead off with his 2nd hit of the game. Holland, would then pick up his 2nd steal of the game as he would take 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rogers, would get out of the jam with a fly out, a strikeout, and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 4-1.
Rice, would toss a scoreless top of the fourth as he picked up a fly out, and his 5th and 6th strikeout. In the bottom of the fourth, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Sutton. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-1 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, would only need six pitches to pick up a pair of ground outs and a fly out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Holland, Davis, and Sam Hammontree, would load the bases with back-to-back-to-back singles. Kendal Lee, would come in from right field to relive Rogers. Holland, would be forced out at home as Allen reached on a fielder’s choice. Lee, would then pick up a strikeout for the second out.
Lee and the Indians, would get out of the jam as Allen would be forced out at 2nd to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading, 5-1.
Rice, continued his great start in the top of the sixth as he picked up a ground out and a pair of fly outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Sutton and Jenkins, would each get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Lowitt, would then follow that with a single to load the bases. Lee, would get out of the inning with a strikeout and a double play to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still leading, 5-1.
Rice, would cap off another fantastic start by striking out the side in the top of the seventh to seal the win in game one for the Dragons, 5-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 run scored & 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 9 K, 1 BB on 103 pitches
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 HBP, and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 HBP, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 3-4 with 3 singles, and 2 steals
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
The series will shift over to Dahlonega for game two on Thursday, March 20th. The Dragons, will look for the series win while the Indians, will look to tie the series. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons sweep Warriors to begin region play
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 8, 2025
Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took to the road on Friday, March 7th as they took on the White County Warriors in the third and final game of the series. After taking the first two games of the series, the Dragons, were looking for the series sweep. After getting runs from the 2nd-5th inning, the Dragons, picked up the win in the series finale, 8-1.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top half of the first as Warriors starting pitcher, Shelton Ramey, would force a ground out, a fly out, and pick up his first strikeout of the game. In the bottom of the first, Trevor Butler, would draw a lead off walk. Dragons starting pitcher, Christian Starks, would induce a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Caleb Campbell, would keep the inning alive for the Warriors as he drew a 2-out walk.
Starks, would get out of the first inning with his first strikeout of the game. Heading to the second inning, Pickens and White County, were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a hustle double as the ball would fall in between several Warriors in no mans land. Matthew Davis, would move the courtesy runner Zach Williams over to 3rd with a ground out. After Ramey picked up a strikeout for the 2nd out, Williams, would come in to score after a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. Ramey, would pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second, Starks, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up his 2nd and 3rd strikeout of the game, and fielded a comebacker for the ground out. Heading to the top of the third, Pickens led White County, 1-0.
Ezra Faber, would lead off the top of the third by working a full count walk to reach 1st. A double by Jennings Allen, would put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. A.J. Rice, would bring in Faber with an RBI ground out to make it 2-0 Dragons. Allen, would advance to 3rd on the play. Allen, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 heading to the bottom of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up two quick outs with a ground out and a strikeout. Butler, would keep the inning going by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. Starks, would get out of the inning with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led White County, 3-0.
Davis, would add to the Dragons lead in the top of the fourth as the lefty would pull one over the right field fence for a solo home run to make it 4-0. Ramey, would get out of the fourth with a pair of ground outs. In the bottom of the fourth, Campbell, would lead off by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. After picking up his 5th strikeout, Brady Gaddis, would draw a walk. John Bannon, would pick up the Warriors first hit of the game to load the bases with 1-out.
Starks, would do a good job of settling in and calming himself down as he would pick up his 6th and 7th strikeout of the game to keep the Warriors scoreless. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led White County, 4-0.
In the top of the fifth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out double. Rice, would follow that up by drawing a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd with 1-out. After a strikeout, Cade Sutton, would send a shot down the right field line for a 2-RBI triple as both Allen and Rice would come in to score. Jenkins, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons by drawing a walk.
Davis, would then reach on a two base error as both Sutton and courtesy runner Zach Williams, would come in to score in the play to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the fifth.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the bottom of the fifth. The Warriors, would threaten a big inning yet again as they would load the bases. Abernathy, would work around a pair of walks and a single to keep the Warriors scoreless. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 8-0.
In the top of the sixth, Sam Hammontree, would lead off by drawing a walk. Caden Kirchoff, would come in to pitch run for Hammontree. Warriors relief pitcher, Josh Adams, would pick up a strikeout and two fly outs to keep the Dragons off the board. In the bottom of the sixth, Abernathy, in his second inning of relief, would force three ground outs in a scoreless frame. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Warriors, 8-0.
Dawson Lowitt, would lead off the top of the seventh with a single. Chase Hulsey, who would come in to pitch run for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a pair of strikeouts, Williams, would draw a 2-out walk. Hulsey, would advance to 3rd on a passed ball to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Adams, in his 2nd inning of relief, would strikeout the side to send it to the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kam Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy. Carter Nguyen, would lead off the inning with an infield single. Butler, would then draw his 3rd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Alex Freeman, would then reach on an error to load the bases. After Jenkins would strike out Campbell for the first out, Ramey, would bring in Nguyen with an RBI ground out to make it 8-1.
Jenkins, would close out the game with his second strikeout of the inning as the Dragons would pick up the win, 8-1. The Dragons, sweep the series, 3-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 7 K, 5 BB on 69 pitches
Dawson Lowitt: 1-1 with 1 single
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, and 1 walk & 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 2 K, 1 BB on 25 pitches
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk
Ezra Faber: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored
Chase Hulsey: 1 steal
Zach Williams: 1 walk and 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 K, 2 BB on 31 pitches
6-AAA Baseball Standings:
Pickens: 11-1 (3-0)
Lumpkin: 9-2 (3-0)
North Hall: 7-3 (3-0)
Dawson: 8-4 (3-0)
White County: 5-6 (0-3)
GAC: 3-6 (0-3)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-10 (0-3)
Chestatee: 1-11 (0-3)
The Dragons, will begin probably the most important series of the season as they will travel down to Gainesville to start a three game set with the North Hall Trojans. Most polls have the Dragons and Trojans #2 and #3 in AAA. Game one, will be on Tuesday, March 11th at North Hall. First pitch scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Six run sixth inning propels Dragons to series win
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 7, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, hosted the White County Warriors at Dunn Field on Thursday, March 6th for game two of their three game series in 6-AAA play. After a 4-0 victory on Tuesday at White County, the Dragons, were looking for a series win in game two. After trailing 1-0, 4-0, and 4-2 during the game, the Dragons, used a 6-run sixth inning to take the lead where they would hold on for the win, 8-4.
The Warriors, would scratch a run across early on in the ball game after a double by Alex Freeman and an RBI single by Caleb Campbell would make it 1-0. Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would do a good job of limiting the damage as he would force a pair of ground outs to send it to the bottom half of the first. In the bottom half of the inning, the Dragons, would get back to back 1-out singles from Christian Starks and Cade Sutton.
Starks, would be forced out at 3rd as Kam Jenkins would reach on a fielder’s choice. Warriors starter Grant Gooch, would force a fly out to get out of the potential jam and send it to the second with White County leading, 1-0.
In the top of the second, Nunn, would work around a pair of walks as he would force a ground out, a pop out, and pick up his first strikeout of the game. Matthew Davis, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single to right. After a pop out to 2nd, Sam Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 2nd. Gooch, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the third with the Warriors still leading it, 1-0.
Campbell, would lead off the top of the third with a single. Shelton Ramey and Sawyer Gailey, would follow that with singles of their own to load the bases with nobody out. John Bannon, would bring in Campbell after drawing a walk to make it 2-0. Nunn, would come back with back to back strikeouts. The Warriors, would add to their lead as Brayden Roach would drive in Ramey and Gailey with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0 Warriors.
Nunn, would get out of the inning with a fly out. Heading to the bottom of the third, White County led Pickens, 4-0. In the bottom of the third, Sutton, would reach 2nd on a 2-out error by the right fielder. A passed ball would allow Sutton to advance over to 3rd. Gooch, would get out of the third after forcing a fly out to send it to the fourth with the Warriors ahead, 4-0.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief in the top of the fourth for the Dragons. He would force a ground out, and pick up two strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Davis, would reach for the second time with a 1-out single. He would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
A single by Hammontree, would load the bases for the Dragons. Jennings Allen, would bring in Allen with an RBI single to make it 4-1. A.J. Rice, would drive in Holland after reaching on a fielder’s choice. The Warriors, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the fifth, White County now led it, 4-2.
In the top of the fifth, Faber, in his 2nd inning of relief, tossed another scoreless inning with a pair of ground outs and his 3rd strikeout. Sutton, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a walk. Jenkins, would draw a walk as well as the Dragons had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Dawson Lowitt, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Sutton would be thrown out at 3rd.
Freeman, who came on in relief of Gooch after the back to back walks, would then pick up a strikeout for the 2nd out. Lowitt, would be forced out at 2nd as the Warriors would get out of the fifth still ahead, 4-2.
In the top of the sixth, Faber, would pick up his 4th and 5th strikeouts for the first two outs of the inning. Cooper Garrett, kept the inning alive for the Warriors with a 2-out single. Rice, would then rob Freeman of a line drive hit as he would leap to make the grab to send it to the bottom of the sixth, Dragons trailing, 4-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Allen, would reach with a 1-out double.
After a close call on a strikeout of Rice, Starks, would drive in Allen with a 2-out RBI double to make it 4-3. Sutton, would follow that up with a double to left center that would bring in Starks to tie the game. After Jenkins drew a walk and Lowitt would be hit with a pitch, the Dragons had the bases loaded with 2-out. Davis, would drive in Sutton and courtesy runner Zach Williams with a 2-RBI double to give the Dragons a 6-4 lead.
Holland, would get in on the fun with a 2-RBI double as both Lowitt and Davis would come in to score to make it 8-4 Dragons heading to the seventh.
In the top of the seventh, Faber, would pick up his 6th strikeout for the first out. Holland, would then go flying as he would drive to catch a liner by Ramey for the 2nd out. Gailey, would keep the game alive for the Warriors by drawing a 2-out walk. Faber, would force a ground out to seal the win for the Dragons, 8-4.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1 RBI
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 2 walks
Dawson Lowitt: 1 HBP, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 1-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-4 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 4 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K on 49 pitches
The series, will shift back over to White County on Friday, March 7th as the Dragons will be looking for a series sweep. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons blowout Johnson on Homecoming
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 19, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons were back home inside Dragons Stadium for the first time since September 13th as they hosted the Johnson, Gainesville Knights on Friday, October 18th. To make it even more exciting, it was Homecoming night. After coming off back to back tough losses, the Dragons, would need a win to stay in any potential playoff scenario. After getting off to a fast start, the Dragons cruised to a big 62-6 win.
After forcing the Knights to punt on their opening possession, the Dragons would use their run game to drive down the field. After carries from Carson Mitton and Hagen Mullins got the ball down to the 10-yd line, Sophomore Ike Wyngaard, scored on a 10-yd run. After the PAT from McCord Purdy was good, the Dragons led Johnson, 7-0 with 7:49 left in the first quarter.
The Dragons, would then force a turnover on downs deep inside Knight territory. Mullins, would finish off the drive with an 18-yd TD run. The PAT from Purdy was good and with 5:29 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led it, 14-0. The Dragons, would add to their lead after Hayden Jones found Purdy, who took it 60 yards for the score. Going to the second quarter, Pickens led Johnson, 21-0.
Hayden Jones hands off to Carson Mitton
At the 5:51 mark of the second quarter, Jones connected with Landon Poole on a little option screen pass and Poole would make some moves and score a 16-yd TD. The Dragons now led it, 28-0. The Knights, would have their most successful drive of the game as a pair of long runs helped set up a 1-yd TD run. The PAT attempt was short and with 2:54 left in the first half, the Dragons led the Knights, 28-6.
The Dragons, answered right back with a 19-yd TD run from Mitton. With 2 minutes left in the first half, Pickens led Johnson, 35-6. After a very short punt by the Knights, Mullins would score from a yard out for his 2nd score of the game. Going into the half, the Dragons led the Knights, 42-6.
Dragons defense getting to the QB
The lone score in the third quarter came from the Dragons as they used a mix of the run and pass game to get down to the 9-yd line. Senior Hayden Roland, would cap off the drive with a 9-yd TD run. Going to the fourth quarter, Pickens led Johnson, 49-6.
Jones hanging off to Hagen Mullins
In the fourth quarter, the Dragons added to their lead as Freshman Zach Williams found an opening and scored on a 14-yd TD run. With 8:17 left in the game, the Dragons led the Knights, 56-6. The final score of the game came from Wyngaard as he broke through and scored from 79 yards out. The PAT would be blocked. The Dragons, would defeat the Knights, 62-6.
Dragons defense stopping the run
6-AAA Football Standings:
North Hall: 6-2 (5-0)
GAC: 4-2 (4-1)
Lumpkin: 5-3 (3-2)
Dawson: 4-4 (3-2)
Chestatee: 3-5 (2-3)
Pickens: 4-4 (2-3)
White County: 2-6 (1-4)
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-8 (0-5)
The Dragons, will be back on the road next week as they head down to Norcross to take on GAC in another big time game in 6-AAA on Friday, October 25th. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.