Jefferson Dragons Baseball: 2015

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Jefferson Dragons Baseball Finishes AAA State Runner-up After Historic Season

On Saturday, May 23, the Jefferson Dragons made their way to Roswell to compete for the first time in school history in the State Baseball Playoff Finals. The Dragons found their way here after a historic run this season that saw them travel all over the state to fight through tough playoff opponents and sometimes even tougher opposing fans. This team never gave up and through a lot of fight earned their way to play defending AAA champ, Blessed Trinity for the State Championship. After the magical run this season, the Dragons fell short of their goals for state title as they fell in two games to the Titans taking the runner-up spot in GHSA AAA Baseball. This night saw the Dragons fight hard aginst a very tough Blessed Trinity team who had only given up a total of 4 runs through the playoff combined.

Game 1 went to the Titans by a score of 3-0. Jefferson was only able to manage 4 hits through the game while Blessed Trinity jumped on the board with 2 runs in the 1st inning and another in the 3rd to take the win. Game 2 also saw the Titans win to take the state title, but in a game that turned into a fight down the wire. The Titans gave up 4 runs to the Dragons, but were able to manage 6 runs to hold on and secure the win.

Despite falling just short, the Dragons, again, had a historic run this season, nothing to hang their heads about. Getting to the finals for the first time in school history and in their first year as a AAA school. This was a team with lot of fight and truly played as a team all the way around finishing with a 28-8 record (15-3 8AAA).

Congratulations to the Jefferson Dragons on their successful 2015 season and we look forward to another run in 2016. We wish the best of luck to our Seniors: #7 Ethan Garner, #9 Jake Franklin, #13 Jared Bates, # 19 Christian Hutch, and #22 Micah Carpenter. May God Bless You and guide you on your new journey in life. Thank you to your contributions to this team.

Also a big thank you to Coach Tommy Knight as well as Coach Fowler, Coach Gurley, Coach Veldhuis, and Coach "Swole" Purdue! Appreciate all of your work this season and look forward to next season!

State Finals Pictures - Post 1 of 2

Pictures from AAA State Finals

Brooks Beddow and Jared Hulsey in Pre-game

Jared Hulsey ready for game time

Pre-game Unity and Guidance

Meeting of the Coaches

Taylor Wilkes

Hunter Thompson

Christian Hutch

Micah Carpenter

Jake Franklin

Micah Carpenter

Ethan Garner

Zack Boobas

Joshua Hutch

Will Breese

Jared Bates

State Finals Pictures - Post 2 of 2

Pictures from the State Finals Continued...

Will Breese dives back to 1st

Hunter McCaslin takes his lead at 2nd

Joshua Hutch back safe at 1st

Ethan Garner on the bump for game 2

Clayton Jones spotting a target

Christian Hutch fires to 1st

Jared Bates with the stretch

Zack Boobas set to fire to 2nd

Jake Franklin turns and fires to 1st

Josh Cole with his lead

Asher Standridge taking the hill

Christian Hutch comes in relief

Kasan Rainey creeps up at 3rd

Jared and Tanner looking on as the team fishes for a win

Coach Knight at 3rd

Coach Fowler looks on from 1st

Taylor Wilkes comes in to close out game 2

Coach Knight talks with the team after game 2

Jefferson receives state runner-up trophy

Your 2015 GHSA AAA Finalist, Jefferson Dragons

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Jefferson Dragons Earn First Ever Trip to Baseball State Finals!

Already on a history making run making it to the Final Four in their first year as a AAA school and the first time since 2007, the Jefferson Dragons kept their historic season rolling this week. They traveled to Atlanta to take on the Westminster Wildcats and taking the Final Four series in 3 games to earn the teams first ever trip to the baseball state finals. The series was delayed by a day after sever storms rolled through on Monday, but the Dragons got rolling when the series resumed Tuesday. Jefferson took Game 1 by a score of 5-4. Game 2 went to Westminster by a 6-0 forcing a 3rd game. On Wednesday jumped on the board quickly and rolled to a 5-2 win to take the series.

Game 1 saw the Dragons jump on the board early. #20 Taylor Wilkes (2-for-4 RBI 2Runs) reached based on a error and later scored when #9 Jake Franklin (2-for-4 3RBI) drove and RBI Single to right. Franklin tacked on the second run with an RBI Single in the 3rd scoring #19 Christian Hutch (2-for-3 Run) who reached on Single. Wilkes then added a 3rd run in the 4th off an RBI Single scoring #12 Zack Boobas (0-for-2 Run Walk), who previously walked. Moving to the 6th, #10 Joshua Hutch (0-for-3 Run) reached on an error and later scored on a RBI Single by #8 Hunter Thompson (1-for-4 RBI). The 5th run went Franklin drove his 3rd RBI on a Fielders Choice scoring Wilkes. #22 Micah Carpenter took mound for Game 1. Carpenter recorded 6 innings of work where he recorded 7 Ks and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits. #14 Asher Standridge came on in relief to close the game in the 7th. After Westminster tried to rally, Standridge was able to put the game a close recording 1 K and allowing 1 run on 1 hit.

Game 2 went all to Westminster as they rolled to a 6-0 win. The Dragons only managed 3 hits off Westminster's Hunter Davis who recorded a complete game 7 innings. Westminster turned 4 Double Plays to keep the Dragons quiet through the game. #7 Ethan Garner took the mound to start. Garner recorded 5 innings of work, allowing 5 runs (only 2 earned) and 5 hits. Christian Hutch came on in relief recording 2 innings of work to close out the game, recording 1 K and allowing 1 run on 2 Hits.

Returning on Wednesday for Game 3, the Dragons won the coin toss to be Home Team. Jefferson took advantage, throwing 3 runs on the board in the 1st inning. Hunter Thompson (1-for-2 2Runs) Walked and then scored on a RBI Single by Micah Carpenter (2-for-2 2RBI Run). Jake Franklin (1-for-3 RBI Run) then scored when Ethan Garner reach on an error, then Carpenter followed for the 3rd run. Jefferson added their next 2 runs in the 5th. The first run came when Taylor Wilkes (0-for-3 Run) reached on a Drop 3rd Strike and scored on an RBI Single by Jake Franklin. Hunter Thompson, who reached on Single later scored on a Sacrifice Fly RBI by Micah Carpenter. This gave Jefferson all the runs they needed. Jake Franklin took the mound for Game 3. Franklin recorded a complete game, 7 innings where he recorded 3 Ks and allowed just 2 runs on 4 hits securing the win and the series for Jefferson.

The Dragons will now travel to Roswell this weekend where they will face the Titans of Blessed Trinity to compete for the AAA State Title. The series will take place Saturday 5/23 at Blessed Trinity with Game 1 set to start a 4:30 PM followed by Game 2. Game 3 will be Monday, 5/25, if necessary.

This team has earned their way this season. Let's get out there Dragon Nation and support this team as they push forward in this historic season. GO DRAGONS!