The Long County High School softball team, playing at home, defeated Liberty County on Thursday in a lopsided 16-2 game.
The Lady Panthers came out swinging in the top of the first inning, posting two runs to take an early lead, but things went south for LCHS in the bottom of the inning.
With the bases loaded and one out, Lady Tide catcher Erica Golden ripped a line drive down the third-base line to score two runs and leave Taylor Holton in scoring position on third. Panther pitcher Victoria Anthony threw a wild pitch, and Holton dashed in for another score to put the Tide up, 3-0, with only one out. 
Anthony struggled to find her spot, which resulted in more wild pitches, hit batters and walks. On the other side of the field, however, Tide freshman pitcher Taylor Poole kept her composure and finished the game without allowing another run. 
When all was said and done, Long County posted an impressive 16-2 victory.
Liberty County head coach Jerome Standard said after the game that he was disappointed with his team’s performance, noting the struggles on the mound.
“We didn’t have one good inning in that entire game. We couldn’t find the plate and had way too many walks tonight … We have got to be able to throw strikes. Tonight our girls just didn’t do that,” he said. “I am sure that they can get them there. Maybe it was just nerves with tonight being their first game.”
Standard said Anthony and Morgan Crowley had the Panthers’ two hits. Crowley had two RBIs.
“Losses are tough, but they are tougher when you beat yourself,” the coach said. “When someone scores 16 runs off four hits, it’s pretty easy to see the paint on the canvas.”
For Long County, the victory was the first for new Lady Tide head coach Brian Thomas, who said he was happy with the play of several of his upperclassmen.
“Miranda Taylor had a good game, so did Taylor Harrison and Taylor Holton. Also, Erica Golden had a big hit in the first inning that got the ball rolling for us,” Thomas said. “I like that when we gave up two runs early, we bounced back and scored 16 unanswered runs … Taylor Poole also pitched a great game for us, and after they scored early, we played shut-down defense.”
With the win, the Lady Tide improved their record to 1-1.  On Monday, Long County will host Wayne County in Ludowici. When the two teams last met in Jesup, the Tide lost, 10-2, so the ladies are out for revenge.
The loss dropped the Lady Panthers to 0-1.

For more photos of the Tide’s game against the Panthers, go to www.coastalcourier.com.