The Long County High School baseball team was hoping to make up some ground in the Region 2-AA standings Friday when they hosted Benedictine Military School.  
However, the Cadets had other plans as they beat the Blue Tide, 8-0.
Long County pitcher Phillip Swindell picked up the loss. He allowed eight hits, five runs — four earned — and one walk to go with eight strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.
Tristan Goodro gave up three hits, three earned runs, walked two and struck out two in relief, while Cole Ray walked one and gave up one hit in his time on the mound.  
Swindell was the leading batter for the Blue Tide, going 2 for 3 at the plate. Matt Strickland and Ray both were 1 for 3.  
After the game, Blue Tide head coach Tyler Rogers said there was one primary reason that his team lost.
“The difference was that Benedictine had twelve hits and we had 14 strikeouts,” Rogers said.
With the loss, the Blue Tide fell to 10-10 overall and 5-7 in the region.
Rogers said that if his team had any chance of making the playoffs, they have to win now.
“We are still fighting for that fourth playoff spot, (but) we have to play well these last six games,” he said. Friday also was Military Appreciation Night for the Blue Tide with active-duty and former military personnel honored prior to the game.
Nicky Wells, Craig Overholt, Frank Lester, Gary Swindell, Stephen Fleck, Brian Blake, Joseph Kuzlik, Steve Griffee, Thomas Melvin, Frank Williams and Shawn Mills Sr. were recognized. Lt. Col. Van Epps threw out the first pitch.
The Blue Tide were scheduled to face Vidalia on Tuesday in Toombs County. Results were unavailable at press time.  
On Friday, Long County travels to Alma to face Bacon County (5-12) in more region action. That game begins at 6 p.m.