Tigers' playoff run ends at Pickens

April 30, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The Adairsville Tigers had their 2026 baseball playoff run come to an end Thursday after being swept in a second-round doubleheader at Pickens.

A.J. Rice pitched a complete game, one-hitter to shut out the Tigers in Game 1, 8-0. Everett Grubbs delivered a complete game in Game 2, blanking Adairsville 4-0 on three hits. He struck out six.

In the opener, Pickens broke open a scoreless game with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Game 2 was similar, with the Dragons up 1-0 through five innings before adding one run in the sixth and finishing with two in the seventh.

Adairsville starting pitcher Kaden Coker (4.2 IP, 7R, 0 ER, 3 H, 5 BB, 2 K) was charged with the Game 1 loss. Tyler Parker (0.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K) and Evan Hardin (1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB) pitched in relief. Hudson Parr (7 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 K) pitched all seven innings of Game 2 for the Tigers and struck out seven.

Brody Varner had the only Tigers’ base hit in the opening game and added one hit in Game 2. Westin Barfield and Hayden Miller also contributed one hit in the final game.

With their series victory, the Dragons (31-3) advanced to the Class AAA quarterfinals and will host West Laurens (22-9). The Raiders eliminated Northwest Whitfield 3-2 and 12-2 on Thursday.

The season ends for Adairsville with a 20-13 record.