Putting up only five runs of offense cost the Blue Tide baseball team two wins last week to Benedictine Military Academy and Pierce County High School, dropping their overall record to 2-4.
On Wednesday, the Blue Tide lost to the Cadets in a tight game 5-3. It was their first 2-AA region game of the year.
On Friday, the Tide played at home and had to face another region opponent, the Bears from Blackshear. Tommy Freeman got the start for Long County and through three innings he didn’t allow a hit. However an outfield error by the Blue Tide set up a Bears’ run and at the end of three Pierce County had a narrow 1-0 lead.In the top of the fourth, things went sour for the Tide. The Bears managed seven hits, including a 2-run home run by Brian Barefield to go up 10-0. In the bottom of the fourth, the Tide managed to load the bases with two walks by the Bears and a hit by Richard "Rat" Johnson, but the home team couldn’t pull the trigger, so at the end of four, Pierce County still led big.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Blue Tide’s Shawn Mills cracked a single and then Brandon Hope managed his second hit of the night to put two runners on base. Johnson then nailed a double, and the Tide scored two runs to narrow the gap.
However the Bears added another run in the seventh, and the final score was 11-2.
The Bears had 10 hits and no errors, while the Blue Tide had 4 hits and 3 errors.
Leading batters for the Tide were Hope and Johnson who each had two hits. Freeman picked up the loss. With the loss the Blue Tide fell to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the 2-AA Region.
After the game, Tide coach Brian Thomas said his team needs more offense.
"We have to get better at the plate. We have to hit the fast ball. We know what we have to do, we just have to work hard to get it done," he said.
Tomorrow, hometown fans get a treat, as cross-county rival Bradwell Institute comes to town. The 3-AAAAA Tigers bring a 2-1 record. The game should be a good one.
Tomorrow’s game is also being sponsored by the Long County Diamond Club and it is Military Appreciation Night. Military servicemen and women will a free hamburger, fries and soft drink if they are in uniform.
The game is in Ludowici and starts at 5:30 p.m.