Habersham 10U All-Stars rally to region title, advance to state tournament

WINDER, Ga. – The Habersham County 10U All-Star baseball team is headed to Statesboro after capturing a region championship in dramatic fashion, capped by a 13-2 win over Hall County in the title game and a run defined by comeback victories.

Assistant coach Zachary Ford told Now Georgia the tournament, played in Winder, followed a double-elimination format and featured a series of late-inning rallies that carried Habersham through the bracket.

“We came from behind every game,” Ford said. “We just did not give up.”

Habersham opened tournament play Wednesday night against Jackson, rallying for a win after falling behind. The team followed with another comeback Thursday against the City of Jefferson, overcoming a 7-1 deficit to stay in the winner’s bracket.

On Friday, Habersham again erased a deficit to beat Hall County and advance to Saturday’s championship round undefeated. The team dropped its first game of the tournament Saturday morning in the double-elimination bracket, setting up a rematch later that day.

In the championship game, Habersham responded with its most decisive performance of the tournament, defeating Hall County 13-2.

“That was Hall County’s third game that day,” Ford said. “They battled so hard. But at the end of the day, we just persevered, put the ball in play and made really good defensive baseball plays. The biggest difference was just not ever, ever giving up.”

Ford said Hall County’s pitching staff was stretched thin late in the day under tournament pitch limits and warm conditions, but praised their effort.

“They’ve just played their guts out,” he said. “They were a class act.”

State tournament berth

The victory sends Habersham to the Georgia 10U State Tournament, scheduled for June 23-27 at Mill Creek Regional Park in Statesboro. The team will open play against Bremen at 7 p.m. June 23 in a double-elimination format.

Ford said the players are excited about the opportunity, even as some were surprised to learn a state tournament followed region play.

“When we told them afterward, they were like, ‘Well, we’re still going to play,’” he said.

He said it has been several years since a Habersham 10U team reached the state level, and noted the team is the only Habersham baseball or softball team advancing to state competition this year.

“We’re super proud of that,” Ford said. “These boys, you could not ask for a better group. They love baseball, they work hard, and they’re just awesome.”

Preparing for Statesboro

Preparation for the state tournament is already underway. Nine of the 12 players are participating in Habersham Central High School’s baseball camp this week, while the team also holds evening practices focused on fundamentals and mental development.

Ford said the emphasis is less on intensity and more on consistency.

“There were a lot of mental errors,” he said. “Most of the errors we made were just mental. So it’s about baseball IQ, repetition, and staying together as a team.”

Community support

Ford and team organizers are also asking for community support to help cover travel, lodging and meal expenses for the trip to Statesboro.

He said donations help ease the financial burden on families and allow players to focus on the game.

“We don’t want parents stressing about financial stuff while we’re down there,” Ford said. “We just want the boys to focus on baseball.”

Donations can be made via Venmo at @Habersham10U. Checks may be made payable to The Easton Foundation, an organization that supports youth sports programs. Cash donations are also being accepted.

Lessons beyond baseball

Beyond the wins and the upcoming state appearance, Ford said the biggest takeaway from the tournament run is resilience.

“These boys put their heads down, put their foot to the gas, and they just did not give up,” he said. “I hope they remember how resilient they were and carry that into life.”
He said baseball teaches lessons that extend well beyond the field.

“You’re not going to get all the calls all the time,” Ford said. “You can only control what you can control. You go out there and battle, and your hard work pays off. That’s what I want them to remember.”