After reaching the Sweet Sixteen for just the second time in school history, the ride comes to a close in the second round of the state playoffs for Habersham Central High School’s varsity baseball team after losing a doubleheader to Etowah High School on Wednesday in Woodstock.
The Eagles (28-5), who boast at least four Division I commits and have the No. 4 ranked player in the 2026 class, were able to hold the Raiders (21-11) scoreless on the day to achieve the sweep.
The losses end a season that saw the team tie a school record for wins in a season at 21.
“Obviously we’re disappointed with the result of today, but we faced a really, really good team. They’re No. 1 in the state for a reason. They’re nationally ranked for a reason,” HCHS Head Coach Chris Akridge said. “The better the team you play, the smaller the margin for error. The bottom line is we made too many mistakes today and, hey, you can’t win if you don’t score runs.”
Game 1: Etowah 10, Habersham Central 0
The Raiders put their backs against the wall early against the Eagles, giving up a pair of solo home runs in the first inning to the first and third batters of the frame.
A two-run shot in the third turned it into a 4-0 game.
It was the fourth inning that was essentially the nail in the coffin for HCHS as Etowah put four runs on the board on just one hit.
The bases were loaded after a walk, hit batter and a single. The next batter hit a ball to first base, forcing an error on senior Konner Burrell. Two runs scored on the play before a throwing error plated another run and moved a runner from second to third.
Down 7-0, the Raiders gave up two more walks to load the bases again. Then, a sacrifice fly to left field scored the eighth run of the contest.
In the bottom of the fifth, a two-out, two-run RBI single to centerfield brought the game to an end.
Sophomore second baseman Hudson Gailey delivered a single in the top of the third inning and junior catcher Spencer Frady picked up a single in the top of the seventh as the only pair of hits for the Raiders.
Senior Kade Nicholson started the contest for HCHS on the mound. Sophomore Kaden Dobbs and senior Kaleb Chastain came in for relief in the effort.
The trio combined for three strikeouts, while allowing eight hits, nine earned runs and four walks.
Game 2: Etowah 5, Habersham Central 0
The Raiders went the distance in the second game of the doubleheader, but were held hitless in the contest by Class of 2026 UGA commit Matthew Sharman.
Sharman was able to get through all seven innings on 82 pitches, 61 of which were thrown for strikes. The sophomore struckout 10 in the contest.
Burrell pitched for HCHS in the game, also tossing a complete game on 96 pitches. Of the five runs scored, only two were earned. Burrell struckout five and walked a pair.
After committing two errors in the first contest, the Raiders had three in the second game and gave up runs on all three.
Coming into the day, the Raiders were averaging six runs per game. For them not to put a run on the board speaks to how good the Eagles are.
“To get shutout twice is a testament to their pitching, which we knew was going to be really good with multiple Division I pitchers on their staff,” Akridge said. “It is discouraging, but if you step back and look at the big picture, what I told our guys is ‘One day does not define this team.’”
When the Raiders were able to put the ball in play, it was seemingly right at an Etowah defender who was able to make a play. But, as Akridge put it, “that’s baseball.”
Following the postgame meeting with the whole team, Akridge pulled his seniors aside and spoke to the five of them – Burrell, Nicholson, Chastain, Hayden Gailey and Kaydon Bass – as a group for the final time on the field.
“My message was I appreciate them, I love them, I know they’re hurting right now, I know they have a lot of emotions they’re going through. I just reminded them they’re not defined by today. Their legacy they left on this program is not one that will be forgotten. They did a tremendous job of leading this group. I’m just really proud of them,” Akridge said.
“They’re a group of winners, every one of them. That, to me, is their legacy,” he continued. “They’re winners in the way they do things and it resulted in wins on the field. As many wins as the Raiders have ever had. They’re a group of winners because of who they are and I’m so proud of them and proud to be their coach.”
Akridge defined the season as both “fun” and “rewarding” for him and his staff. The reason for those two words: “It was just a fun and rewarding season just to see a group of guys buy in to what we teach and what we’re about and to do that on a daily basis and see it lead to success.”
Now, as is the nature of the beast, the focus will turn to next season and the Raiders will have a core of players returning with significant playing time under their belts.
“Obviously we have some solid players to replace in this senior class, but a lot of guys coming back and a great opportunity for some guys to step up,” Akridge said. “Now, I guess it’s time to get a little rest, reflect on a wonderful season and start working toward next year. That’s what makes it fun.”
