The Long County High School softball team clinched a playoff berth by defeating Metter, 6-3, on Tuesday in Ludowici.
The victory, Long County’s fourth in a row, gave the Lady Tide a 13-12 overall record and a 9-8 mark in Region 2-AA, which secured the fifth seed for the playoffs. The Lady Tide will play fourth-seeded Bryan County in the first round of the playoffs Oct. 2 in Hazlehurst. The Lady Redskins will go into the game with a 15-10 overall record and an 11-6 region mark.
“It feels good to have reached our first goal,” Long County head coach Brian Thomas said. “I am proud of our girls, they have worked really hard to get to where we are.”
Tuesday’s game was scoreless through the first three innings, with the only highlight being a double by Alyssa Anderson.
However, in the top of the fourth, the Lady Tide bats got hot.
Led by Taylor Poole’s infield triple and Harley Dawson’s double, Long County put up five hits en route to a 6-0 lead. Metter scored three runs in the fifth inning, but it wasn’t enough.  
Dawson pitched the full seven innings, giving up five hits and one earned run. She struck out eight batters and didn’t give up any walks.  
Dawson also was 2 for 4 with a double. Poole was 1 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs; Anderson was 1 for 3 with a double; Kaylyn McEwin was 2 for 2; and Katie Estill was 2 for 3.
“I thought we played well. Metter was real tough and played well, too,” Thomas said.
Long County was scheduled to play its final regular season game of the year against McIntosh County on Thursday in Darien.
Results will be in Sunday’s Courier.