On Monday the Long County High School softball team’s dream of a region championship faded away as Bacon County beat then in back-to-back games

On Wednesday the girls’ played Vidalia to determine their state tournament ranking. But the Long County girls fell to Vidalia 8-0.

In Monday’s region 2-AA tournament the Lady Raiders defeated the Lady Tide 1-0 in game one.

In that game Harley Dawson got the start striking out six batters, while only allowing four hits and one unearned run.  The leading batter in that game was Brittney Smiley who went 1-of-2 at the plate.

In the second game Bacon County defeated the Lady Tide 4-0. The Lady Raiders scored a run in the fourth, one in the fifth and two in the seventh for the win. Sam Garcia was 1-of-3 with a double and Madalyne Flynn finished 1-of-2.

Dawson pitched 6.2 innings tossing five strikeouts and walking three. Caitlyn Wingate came in as relief and got one strikeout.

“Bacon County hit a little bit better that we did…both teams played great defense and both teams had amazing pitching performances,” said Long County head coach Brian Thomas.

Wednesday's 8-0 loss against the Lady Indians means the girls will start as a lower seed in the state tournament. 

The Vidalia girls scored a run in the third and fourth and then drove in six runs in the fifth inning for the win.

Leading the Lady Tide at bat was Katie Estill going 2-for-2 with a double. Dawson pitched the five inning loss. She tossed 10 strikeouts during her top performance and she didn’t walk any batters.

"This was not our best defensive showing, we made too many mistakes to overcome and when you play a team as good as Vidalia...they will make you pay,” Thomas said. But the softball coach said he was pleased they made their goal.

Thomas said the Lady Tide will play against Berrien County in the first round of the state tournament.

"We are excited about our opportunities and look to extend our season by a few more weeks," Thomas said.