GAINESVILLE - In its season-opening 21-20 win Friday at home against Tallulah Falls, Red Elephant softball rewrote the saying, "it isn't how you start, but how you finish;" proving it's really about finishing what you start.

Gainesville entered 2025 swinging, literally, building an 8-1 lead over the Indians in the first two innings. Defensive mishaps combined with timely hitting by Tallulah Falls, however, turned what initially looked to be a dominating opening-day win by Big Red into a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair.

When the bottom of the seventh rolled around for the Red Elephants, the hot start was distant memory not only because they found themselves down 20-19, but because three hours had lapsed since a seeming rout was in effect.

Elephants never forget, it's said, and GHS softball remembered at the perfect time who they were when the game began, hitting to load the bases in the game's final frame, and scoring two runs to win. When junior pitcher Maya Silva crossed home plate for the walk-off win on a passed ball, Big Red had officially finished what it started.

Sophomores Layanna Promise and Judea Hawks led the way for Gainesville as each went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Promise also scored three runs and stole four bases. Senior Finley O'Callaghan had two RBIs with two runs scored while freshman Brianna Mejia and Silva contributed four stolen bases each.

Gainesville was scheduled to return to action against Chestatee (Monday, Aug. 4) and West Hall (Tuesday, Aug. 5) but inclement weather changed those plans. While the Chestatee game has yet to be rescheduled, GHS and WHHS will now face off Thursday, Aug. 19 in Oakwood.

PHOTO GALLERY: GHS vs. Tallulah Falls
Click Here