The Habersham Central Lady Raiders and Union County Lady Panthers split their season-opening two-game series in Mt. Airy this week. Union County, featuring Stephen Mitchell as the new head coach, won the first game 8-2, while Stephanie Thomas’ Lady Raiders won the second game, 11-3.

Habersham is seeking a trip to the state playoffs this year for the first time since the 2013 season. The Lady Raiders were 10-12 last season, and despite losing a pair of talented seniors, they return some key pieces this year, highlighted by Mississippi State University commit Paige Cook, an All-Region infielder, as well as fellow senior and All-Region talent Adelaide Askew among others.

For Union, its eight-year streak of making state ended last season with a 10-17 campaign. The program, which had been to four Elite 8 trips, including the state title game in 2010, moved on from one of the best coaches in Georgia in Jessica Stewart, who stepped down after last season.