The Long County High School baseball team snapped a five-game losing streak Friday, defeating McIntosh County, 11-5.
The victory was the team’s first Region 2-AA win of the year and improved its overall record to 4-7 and the region mark to 1-5. Though the Blue Tide sits at the bottom of the Region 2-AA standings, the players have shown they can play with some of the top teams in the state, and they have been improving.
“This is not where we had planned to be in the win column, coach Brian Thomas said, “but we are getting closer to where we need to be as a team. During the second half of the season, we are going to have to focus on being more efficient on offense and getting longer starts out of our pitchers.
“So far this season, our biggest strength has been our work ethic. Our players have come to practice each day wanting to get better, and that has been a welcome sight…and we will get better as the season progresses.”
This year’s roster doesn’t have any seniors, but, according to the coach, his juniors have provided the leadership that has been needed.
“All of my juniors have been doing a really good job of keeping an upbeat approach to practice and games,” Thomas said. “They have held this team together through some adversity, and I’m really proud of them.”
On Thurs-day, the Blue Tide take on Bradwell Institute in Hinesville. Thomas said he knows the non-region game will be a tough match up. Last year, when the teams met, they split the series.
“I expect Bradwell to come out and play a great game,” Thomas said. “They are well coached by Coach Hellgren and we always seem to have good games against them. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.