The Long County High School baseball team last year missed making the state playoffs by one game, finishing with a 13-13 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Region 2-AA.

Head coach Tyler Rogers said that overcoming this shortfall is the team’s biggest goal in 2015.

“We have one major goal, and that is to be playing on May 1when the state tournament starts,” Rogers said. “Every day we play or practice is a stepping stone to that one goal … if we can get better every day, we will get there.”

Rogers said that this year’s Tide don’t have a lot of varsity experience, but that the players are talented and will work hard. He expects senior leadership from third baseman Ryan McGowan and shortstop Clay Strickland. Both also will see plenty of action on the pitcher’s mound.

“Our biggest strength this year is the team morale,” Rogers said. “We have a great group that enjoys being around each other and playing baseball. That will take us a long way.”

Last season, pitching wasn’t a problem for the Blue Tide, but putting up runs was. Nowhere was this more painfully evident then down the stretch, when they were outscored, 20-5, in their last four region losses. If the Tide are going to be successful in 2015, they will need to get more offensive production.

The Blue Tide’s next home game will be against Bradwell Institute at 5:55 p.m. Thursday.