The Long County High School softball team was all smiles Friday as the Lady Tide clinched a playoff berth in the state tournament. 

Long County stuffed Bryan County, 8-0, in Ludowici to secure the third spot in the Region 2-AA standings. With the win, the Lady Tide improved their overall record to 12-11 and their region mark to 6-6. 

As a result of their region finish, the Lady Tide will host a first-round playoff game at 2:00 p.m. Thursday against either St. Vincent’s or McIntosh County Academy. 

The other three teams from the region to make the playoffs were Jeff Davis County and Bacon County, who both finished 11-1 in region play, and Bryan County, who ended 6-6.

The road to the state tournament wasn’t easy, however, for the Lady Tide last week.

Last Tuesday, they fell to Bacon County, 6-5, at home in a big region game. Long County pitcher Harley Dawson struck out six, but also walked five in seven innings of action and gave up six runs, three of which were earned. Cat Wingate batted 2 for 4 for Long County, while Katie Estill was 2 for 3. 

Last Thursday, Long County bounced back by topping McIntosh County, 5-1, in region action at Darien.

The rest of the final region standings were Vidalia, 6-6; McIntosh County, 1-10; and St. Vincent’s Academy, 0-11.