MOULTRIE — Colquitt County baseball coach Eric McCranie went into the 2008 season unsure if his Packers could match the offensive production of last year’s team.

For one night, at least, the Packers looked plenty explosive.

Colquitt jumped out to a 14-1 lead after three innings and went on to a 15-13 season-opening victory on the road on Wednesday at Madison County, Fla.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but, like last Friday’s scrimmage, it was rained out.

When the Packers finally were able to play, their offense appeared ahead of the pitching.

In frigid temperatures, the Packers banged out 11 hits, including home runs by freshman Cole Pitts and junior John Michael Harrison.

Pitts, in his first varsity game, went 3-for-4 with a single and a double to go along with his homer.

Jebb Cato, in his first varsity start, when 3-for-4 and also had a double. Willie Oliver also had a memorable debut, going 2-for-5 with a double.

Patrick Taylor and Ben Cauthen had the other Colquitt County hits.

“We swung the bat all right, especially early,” McCranie said. “I saw some good things. I thought we ran the bases well.

“I also saw some things we need to work on.”

Pitts also performed well on the mound, pitching the final three innings, giving up just one earned run while striking out six.

Harrison, a left-hander, started and went the first two innings, giving up one earned run while striking out four.

The Packers gave up eight runs in the bottom of the third inning to let the Cowboys back in the game.

Hayden Kudela followed Harrison, going 1 1/3 innings, striking out three.

Clark Coleman pitched 2/3 of an inning and fanned one.

The Packers will leave Friday for Atlanta, where they will watch Georgia Tech play Rutgers.

On Saturday, Colquitt will play a doubleheader at Woodland High School in Henry County.

Colquitt will face Woodland at 11 a.m. and will square off with White County in the second game.