After barely missing the state playoffs this year, the Long County baseball team kicked off their summer program this past week, and coaches hope the extra time on the diamond will be the difference in the 2010 season.

In the team’s first two games, against Pinewood Christian Academy, the Ludowici team won both games. The score in the first game was 5-1, while in the second game it was 3-1.

The Tide also took on Liberty County Panthers in Hinesville. In the first game the teams tied 3-3, but in the second game the boys from Hinesville defeated the Blue Tide 5-1.

"The purpose of our summer baseball is to continue to build onto the fundamentals that we are teaching during our regular season," Blue Tide coach Brian Thomas said.

"Also, summer baseball allows us to play more games and gain even more valuable playing time."

This week Long County takes on Wayne County. In a game between the teams earlier this year, the Yellow Jackets stung the Blue Tide in three innings 15-0.

On Friday the Tide squad heads to the Southern Line Tournament.