GUYTON — After a staggering start, the South Effingham Mustangs appear to have regained their footing.
The Mustangs beat Crisp County 4-3 and 9-2 Saturday to up their winning streak to four games. They opened with losses in five of their first six contests.
Josh Valleroy turned in a solid effort on the mound in the first game against the Cougars. He scattered six hits while going the distance. He logged six strikeouts.
Josh Berg put South Effingham on top for good in the third inning when he belted an RBI single.
Caleb Radcliffe, Dylan Wallace, Doug Williams, Jake Sapp and Berg each notched a hit for the Mustangs, who were flawless in the field.
A seven-run outburst in the second inning proved to be the difference in the nightcap. Berg, Jayce Warren, Grayson Spendiff and Wallace had hits during the uprising. An error on a ball hit by Jake Sapp also contributed to the Mustangs’ cause.
Berg ripped three hits in four at-bats.
Jakob Gross was the winning pitcher. He surrendered three hits and struck out nine. Both runs against him were earned.
The 9-2 win ended South Effingham’s string of one-run games. It hadn’t played a game that was settled by more than a run since losing to Lakeside 12-2 on Feb. 24.
The Mustangs were 0-4 in one-run games until their win streak started with a 3-2 decision over Richmond Hill.