The Long County High School softball team closed out its regular season Thursday on a positive note, beating McIntosh County, 4-1, in Darien.
The Blue Tide’s Harley Dawson pitched the entire game, allowing only five hits and one run. She also had an impressive 10 strikeouts in the game and gave up only one walk. The Lady Tide’s leading batters were Alyssa Anderson, who was 1 for 2 with two RBIs; Katie Estill and Taylor Poole, who each were 1 for 3 with a run; Dawson, who was 1 for 4 with an RBI; and Brittany Smiley, who was 1 for 4. Though the game had no playoff implications, it did have a lot of meaning for the team and for Long County High School.
“It was a very good win for us. It gave us 10 region wins for the first time in a decade and a winning region record — also a first for that same time span,” coach Brian Thomas said.
The victory was the fifth in a row for the Lady Tide, and four of those wins were against Region 2-AA opponents. Long County needed to finish strong to secure a playoff spot after dropping three out of four games two weeks ago.
“I’m proud of these girls. They have shown a ton of heart and resolve all season,” Thomas said.
Long County ended its regular season with a 14-12 overall record and a 10-8 region mark. This record is the best the Lady Tide have had since moving up to Region 2-AA and the best season that Thomas has had since taking over the team three years ago. In 2011, the team went 5-19 overall and 0-8 in the region. In 2012, they were 12-11 overall and 6-6 in the region. They also made the playoffs last year but lost in the first round to Bacon County.
This Thursday, Long County travels to Hazlehurst to take on the No. 4 seed in the region, Bryan County, in the playoffs. The Redskins finished their season with a 15-10 overall record and an 11-6 region mark.