The Gainesville Travelers lost their season opener to the Athens Pirates, 5-4, on Wednesday night at Smith Field in Athens.

Despite trailing 5-0 early, the Travelers (0-1) scored four runs to make it a close game. Gainesville High graduate Zach Bennett, Buck Harris and Tripp Moore from Young Harris College, led Gainesville offensively.

The Travelers visit the Augusta Nationals on Friday.