The Long County High School softball team’s season ended Thursday with a tough loss to Bryan County.
In a defensive battle that could have gone either way, the Redskins beat the Lady Tide 3-1.
“Bryan hit the ball a little better than we did, they had a couple doubles in the gaps that helped them and we couldn’t get any line drives to drop for us”, said Long County Head Coach Brian Thomas.
The leading batters for the Lady Tide were Ashley Desbiens and Katie Estill, who both were 1 for 2 at the plate. Pitcher Harley Dawson got the start for Long County, giving up 4 hits, 3 runs (one earned), and striking out 2 batters in 6 innings. With the loss, Long County finished with a 14-13 overall record and a 10-9 2-AA Region mark.
“This was a really good season for us, playing a full region schedule was beneficial in that it let us see several really good teams that we may not have seen in sub-region play,” Thomas said. “I am very proud of these girls, they started coming in for workouts and practice at the end of May… We never stopped trying to get better and that’s what impresses me about this team.”
The coach praised pitchers Emily Hester, Cat Wingate and Dawson and catchers Madalyne Flynn and Desbiens, saying they had a great year. He also said his infield performed well and his outfield improved dramatically.
“Our infield play was really good, anchored by Sam Garcia, Katie Estill, Ashley Desbiens, Cat Wingate and Taylor Poole and our outfield (Brittany Smiley, Kaylyn McEwin and Alyssa Anderson) play got much better this season,” the coach said.
LCHS athletic director Karen Swindell said that the team and the coaches worked hard all year, and their success in making the playoffs was the result.
“The softball team is a great group of girls who are excellent role models,” Swindell said. “They demonstrate awesome sportsmanship, both on and off the field. I’m proud to say they are our team.”
Thomas said, “The loss to Bryan County hurts pretty bad right now, but I think that in a few weeks we will look back on this season with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction for how far we have come.”
The Lady Tide didn’t have any seniors on the team this year, but that won’t be the case in 2014 with 11 starters slated to be back.
“The whole playoff experience and playing the do-or-die game in the regular season to get into the post-season will be valuable to us next year,” Thomas said.