After opening its season with a three-game win streak, the Long County High School softball team dropped a tough one Friday to the Bryan County Redskins, 9-8, in Pembroke.
The Blue Tide fell behind but rallied with two runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game.  However, the Lady Skins got a run in the bottom of the seventh for the win.
The game originally was slated for Thursday but had to be rescheduled due to bad weather.
 “We lost a heartbreaker... came up a bit short tonight, but I am proud of our effort,” Lady Tide head coach Brian Thomas said.
Lady Tide pitcher Harley Dawson took the loss, allowing six hits and three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings.  Dawson, Taylor Poole and Madalynn Flynn went 2-for-4 each at the plate for Long County.  Erica Golden went 1-for-3 with three RBIs.  
With the loss, the Tide fell to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in the 2E-AA Sub-Region.
“It was a great game, and Bryan County is a great team. We are looking forward to meeting up with them again next month,” Thomas said.
On Monday, Long County goes on the road to face Atkinson County (1-2) in Pearson.  The doubleheader begins at 4 p.m. This will be the first meeting ever between the teams.
“We just need to improve on a few things defensively, and we will be fine,” Thomas said.