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Blue Tide baseball team still struggling
Shuman
Tide pitcher David Shuman throws a strike in Wednesday’s game against Savannah Christian. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle

The Long County High School baseball team continued to struggle earlier this week, dropping back-to-back games.

On Tuesday, the Blue Tide took on Charlton County in Folkston. They led twice in the game, but couldn’t notch the win. The Indians tied the game late and went on to win 14-13.

"The Charlton game was a tough loss against a good team. They (the Indians) hit well and we just couldn’t put them away," Long County coach Brian Thomas said.

Wednesday, the Tide was home taking on Savannah Christian. The Red Raiders brought a 6-3 record and the Blue Tide knew the game wouldn’t be easy.

The Savannah team jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning, and added three more runs in the second and third to go up 5-2.

In the fourth, both teams were scoreless, Trent Wells got on base with a single, and then Richard "Rat" Johnson added a double to send the runner home, narrowing the gap to 5-3.

In the sixth, the Raiders got hot, putting up three hits and scoring four more runs to lead 9-3.

The Blue Tide held the Red scoreless in the top of the seventh, but the Blue and White needed a big inning in the seventh to have any shot.

Tommie Freeman started with a single, and then two walks given up by the Raider pitcher loaded the bases. With no outs, Brandon McManus then got a hit, to bring one run home, and the bases were still loaded.

Thomas sent designated hitter, Trent Wells to the plate and the right hander got stung with a pitch to the back, advancing the runners and scoring another run, and still keeping the bases loaded.

Ricky Rivera struck out, but was followed by Stevie Harrison who hit a double, scoring two more runs. Unfortunately, this was as far as the Tide could go, as they lost the game, 7-9.

Picking up the win for the Raiders was Cooper Lemonds, while the Tide’s David Shuman got the loss.

After the game, Thomas said, "The team had a good performance tonight against a tough non-region opponent. We had our chances. We just have to get better in some areas, and give ourselves the chance to win."

The coach said his biggest concern for the season is, "Starting pitching. We have to start quicker and give up fewer walks."

For the night the Tide was impressive at plate, putting up 14 hits with Johnson going three for three with two doubles. Rivera, Freeman and Harrison all got two for three.

With the losses the Tide fell to 2-11 overall, and 1-4 in the 2-AA Region.

Tuesday, plays Brantley County in Nahunta starting at 6 p.m.

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