For the fourth time in school history (and third since 2019), Habersham Central High School’s varsity baseball team has locked down a state playoff spot on Friday with a 5-2 win over Jackson County High School.
The victory was capped off with a two-run fifth inning courtesy of an RBI-double from Callum Spivey and an RBI-single from sophomore second baseman Hudson Gailey.
The Raiders’ (17-7, 9-6 Region 8-AAAAAA) bats were hot as the team tallied 10 hits off the Panthers’ (9-16, 5-9) pitchers. In fact, all nine batters for HCHS notched a hit in the contest with Spivey’s double being the only extra base hit.
Jackson County put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run for Sam Bradley.
HCHS then responded in the bottom of the frame by practicing what Coach Chris Akridge preaches: win the inning.
Junior Charlie Mills hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring sophomore Maverick Chitwood. Junior Spencer Frady followed that with a groundout to the Jackson County shortstop. The fielder’s choice play allowed senior Hayden Gailey to score from third and senior Konner Burrell to advance to second.
A two-out walk to Spivey loaded the bases before senior Kaleb Chastain delivered an RBI single to left field, giving the Raiders the 3-2 lead.
With the ultimate game-winning run already plated for HCHS in the first, it was the eventual RBI double and single from Spivey and Hudson Gailey that would put the game out of reach and secure the playoff spot.
The Raiders played again Monday night as they hosted senior night at home against North Forsyth High School. The Raiders from Cumming dampened the celebrations as they took home a 10-6 win and a season sweep of HCHS.
Before Monday’s contest, HCHS was No. 3 in Region 8 and No. 11 in Class 6A across Georgia, according to MaxPreps.
Now, the sights turn to the final two regular season contests for Akridge’s squad, both of which will be on the road.
Wednesday, the Raiders travel to Lanier High School in Sugar Hill for a 6 p.m. first pitch. Friday, it’s on the road to Winder as HCHS will face current region No. 1 Apalachee High School at 5:55 p.m. to close out the season.
Playoff picture
Much of the playoff picture is still uncertain for Region 8-6A. What is clear is that the four teams moving on to the state playoffs are Apalachee, North Forsyth, Habersham Central and Gainesville. Currently, in that order.
Things can still twist and turn in terms of seeding, but only between Apalachee and North Forsyth between No. 1 and No. 2, and HCHS and Gainesville at No. 3 and No. 4.
Apalachee, who beat North Forsyth two out of three times in the regular season, still has to win each of its final two games to lock up the top seed and leave North Forsyth in second.
For the Raiders, two things can happen to lock in at No. 3: First, the Raiders can win against Lanier or Apalachee. Either works. Second, Gainesville plays Apalachee in the Red Elephants season finale on Wednesday. If the Wildcats win, HCHS sits at No. 3. If Gainesville wins, the Raiders have to have a win.
Region 8 has been matched up with Region 5 in the playoff bracket.
As current standings sit, No. 1 Apalachee would play No. 4 South Paulding, No. 2 North Forsyth would play No. 3East Paulding, No. 3 HCHS would play No. 2 Alexander, and No. 4 Gainesville would play No. 1 Newnan.
