GUYTON -- It wasn't exactly smooth sailing, but it was considerably better than their last few outings, which could only be characterized as rough.

After losing a 2-0 lead in a game that was interrupted by a rainstorm, the South Effingham Mustangs rallied to nip the Richmond Hill Wildcats 3-2 Thursday night. Dylan Wallace struck the decisive blow with a bases-loaded single in the seventh frame, plating Wesley Ambrose.

"That was fun, but it wasn't fun," South Effingham coach Jonny DeRing said in relief.

The Mustangs, who celebrated in the middle of the diamond after chasing down Wallace, had dropped their previous six games after opening the season with a 6-3 win over Effingham County. They lost at Richmond Hill just two nights earlier 1-0.

"They are a resilient group," DeRing said. "With our record being what it is, they could have shut it down. They didn't do that.

"We've had great practices."

DeRing drew satisfaction from his team's ability to overcome adversity against a quality opponenent. A controversial call on a ball hit down the right-field line went against the Mustangs in the sixth inning, setting the stage for the Wildcats' comeback.

"It has become quite a rivalry between the two of us," DeRing said.  

See the March 7 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.