GAINESVILLE — Will Barrett blasted a two-run, walk off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap a dramatic 5-3, come-from-behind win for Gainesville over Habersham Central on Monday at Ivey-Watson Field.
It was the season-opener for both teams. For Gainesville, which suffered through a rough 4-win campaign in 2021, it is the first time the Red Elephants (1-0) have been over .500 since the 2019 season.
The Red Elephants trailed 3-0 until the sixth when they played three runs. Tanner Allen doubled in Barrett, who walked to start the inning, and Baxter Wright drove in one run on a sacrifice fly. But Anthony Lugo also scored on the play on a Habersham error to tie the game.
The Raiders (0-1) took a 1-0 lead in the third on a Gainesville error and scored two more times in the fourth on another Gainesville error to run out to a 3-0 lead.
All three runs were unearned against Riley Valentine, who went 3 1/3 innings scattering four hits, walking five, and striking out six.
Cooper Reid would get the win going 3 2/3 innings surrendering four hits and fanning seven while walking just one.
Habersham junior Hunter Tatum had a tremendous Opening Day start going four near-perfect innings allowing no hits and just one walk while striking out seven.
The Red Elephants, however, got to the Raiders bullpen. Konner Burrell went two innings walking three and striking out three and giving up two earned runs. Canon Wilbanks got the loss allowing the Barrett home run.
The Raiders had eight hits with Burrell, Blandon Grizzle, and Cody Thomas all collecting a pair of hits, including a double for Thomas. Azzi Cervantes and Slade Dover had one hit each for Habersham.
