Long County High School softball pitcher Harley Dawson led the Lady Tide to a 1-0 win Thursday over Bryan County. She won a pitching duel with Bryan’s Brooke Barfield, striking out 16 batters, giving up only three hits and walking three.
“This was an amazing game. Both Harley and Brooke Barfield had amazing pitching performances,” Long County head coach Brian Thomas said.
He said his team adapted a tough mental stance throughout the game, especially in the eighth inning. “I was pleased with our toughness. Bryan County had the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, but we did not back down. We got a strikeout, strikeout and a fly ball to centerfield, (where) Katie Estill made a great running catch to end the game,” Thomas said.
The Lady Tide’s leading hitters were Madalyne Flynn and Kaylyn McEwin, both of whom were two for four at the plate, and Cat Wingate, who was one for three with a sacrifice bunt. Flynn also had the lone RBI in the game, which secured the win for the Lady Tide.
“I can’t say enough about Harley’s performance in the circle and Madalyne Flynn’s job behind the plate,” Thomas said.
According to Long County’s coach, the Bryan County game was huge for the Lady Tide, and he hopes his squad will build off it.
“This was a big momentum-builder for us. … I think that this gut-check will propel us forward into the meat of our region schedule,” he said.
On Friday, the Lady Tide beat Glynn Academy at home, 2-1, in a non-region contest. Long County’s overall record is 5-1, and they sit at 2-0 in Region 2-AA.
The Lady Tide play the Wildcats in Richmond Hill at 6 p.m. Monday.