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Tide nab 4th straight win
BryanWingate
Tide pitcher Bryan Wingate had a solid performance getting the win in Tuesday's 7-1 win over Pierce County. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle

When you’re hot you’re hot...

After going 2-12 to start the season, the Long County High School baseball team looked as cold as could be, but the squad caught fire, picking up four straight wins, all against 2-AA Region foes.

The latest foe vanquished was the Pierce County Bears Tuesday. Pierce County came in as number one in the region, but Long’s 7-1 victory knocked the Bears down to the third in one of the toughest regions in the state.

"It was a well played game by both teams," Tide head coach Brian Thomas said.

Pitcher Bryan Wingate was sharp all night, as the junior went the distance and picked up the win. He helding the Bears to 5 hits and struck out 8 Bears. The losing pitcher for Pierce County was Jayk Graham.

Leading hitters for the Tide were Tommy Freeman who was 3-4 with 2 RBIs, Richard "Rat" Johnson, 2-3, 2B and 1 RBI, and Wingate, 1-3 with an RBI.

Thomas said his older players have led the team’s resurgence.

"We can attribute our progression to hard work and great team leadership from our seniors.

"With the win over Pierce County we have put ourselves in a situation to compete for the play-offs. However we must stay focused and return to the basics."

The Blue and White now sit in the fourth spot in the 2-AA Region with a 5-5 record, behind Jeff Davis County (9-1), Appling County (7-1) and Pierce (7-2).

Long County will get another chance tonight to make up ground as they play Appling in Blackshear. But it won’t be easy. The Pirates are ranked number two in the state by the Georgia Prep Country.com/GACA coaches poll.

Both teams average more than six runs a game, but the Pirates defense has been much better than the Tide’s, allowing 2.8 runs a night, compared to Long giving up 9.3.

The game begins at 6 p.m.

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