Long County High School lost a heartbreaker Friday on the diamond in Toombs County.
In one of the tightest games all year for the Ludowici boys, the Blue Tide lost to the Bulldogs 7-6 in Lyons. It was the Tide’s fourth loss in a row, and its sixth Region 2-AA defeat of the year.
Blue Tide starting pitcher Cody Fleck lasted five innings. In the loss, the right-hander gave up five runs, though only one was earned. The leading batters for Long County were Shawn Mills who was 3-for4, Cole Ray, who went 2-for-4, and Luke Golden, 2-for-2, with a double.
Tide coach Brian Tomas said there are ways his team could end the losing streak.
“We have to put a complete game together. We are playing four or five really good innings, but then we can’t seem to finish the game off,” Thomas said.
Though the Tide has been in a slump, Thomas still praised the team’s leaders.
“I am very proud of our juniors thus far,” he said. “With no seniors on the team, it has been tough. But we have four players that are three-year varsity players, Shawn Mills, Chase Rogers, Jacob Turner and Luke Golden, that have been good leaders for us. Those, along with juniors John Christianson and Shane Deloach have proved to be solid.”
On Tuesday, the Blue Tide went against the team that many regard as the best in the state, Appling County. They traveled to Baxley for the game. The Pirates had a 9-0 record before the game and were ranked Nov. 1 in the state in the PrepCounty.co/GACA Coaches Poll for the
week.
Tide players, however, knew they could play with the Pirates, having defeated them last year.
Today the Tide have another big region game against the Buccaneers in McIntosh County. The Bucs bring a 2-7 overall record into the game and a 0-3 region mark. Last year the teams split their series. That game at 6 p.m. is in Darien.
Results from both games will be in Friday’s Courier.