Dragons Take 2 of 3 from Jackson County in Region 8AAA Series

The Jefferson Dragons faced off last week against cross-town rival and Region 8AAA opponent Jackson County last week.  The series started at Jackson County on Tuesday where the Dragons took a 5-0 win and then moved back to Jefferson Friday night for a double-header that was split with game 1 going to Jefferson 6-1 and game 2 going to Jackson County in a close 1-0 battle.

The Dragons took advantage of some miscues from the Panthers in game 1 of the series to score 5 runs.  The first run came in the 2nd with a RBI Single from #18 Will Breese (1-for-3 RBI).  #8 Hunter Thompson (2-for-4 2B RBI) led off the 4th with a Double and later stole home to score.  Jefferson took advantage of errors to score 2 in the 5th including #20 Taylor Wilkes (1-for-4 Run), and #10 Joshua Hutch (1-for-4).  Jefferson score 1 more in the 6th on a RBI Single from Thompson.

On the mound for Jefferson, #20 Taylor Wilkes pitched another gem.  Wilkes recorded 11Ks in 7 complete-game innings, allowing just 2 hits late in the game and 0 runs.

On Friday night, the Dragons took game 1 of the double-header, 6-2.  The first runs did not come until the 4th when Jefferson scored 4.  With 2 on, #5 Chaz Evans (1-for-1 RBI Run) drove a RBI Single.  #20 Taylor Wilkes (2-for-3 RBI Run) followed right after with a RBI Single. #10 Joshua Hutch (0-for-3 RBI) drove another run with a RBI Fielders Choice.  #Will Breese  (2-for-3 2-2B RBI) also scored after reaching on a Double.  2 more runs crossed in the 5th with back-to-back RBIs from Breese with a RBI Double and a RBI ground-out for #2 Jacob Richards (0-for-2 RBI).

On the mound, #14 Asher Standridge took the hill.  Standridge tossed a gem with 7 complete-game innings, recording 8 Ks and allowing just 1 run on 4 hits, securing the win for Jefferson.

For the final game of the series, it turned into a defensive battle.  The Dragons remained scoreless through the game as the Dragons left 6 stranded unable to get them home.
On the mound, #10 Joshua Hutch got the start.  Hutch tossed 4 1/3 innings, recording 5 Ks and allowing 1 run in the 2nd inning and just 3 hits.  #7 Patrick Hickox came on in relief, pitching 2 1/3 innings with 1 K and allowing 0 runs on 1 hit.

Following this series, the Jefferson Dragons stand at 15-6 (11-4 8AAA) and move into 1st place in Region 8AAA.
The Dragons will face Riverside on Tuesday night for Senior Night in non-region play and will face off against 2nd place Elbert County next week in the final region series of the season in a battle for the Region 8AAA Title

Pictures to follow...