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!