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Danni Lynn Powers South Effingham Softball’s 15-Game Streak
Danni Lynn
South Effingham senior Danni Lynn has helped fuel the Mustangs’ 14-game winning streak with a torrid stretch at the plate. Lynn, who is committed to the University of Maryland, is hitting .605 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs over her last 12 games. (Craig LeTourneau / Effingham Herald)

GUYTON, Ga. — About 15 years ago, before Danni Lynn probably ever considered swinging a softball bat, another athlete with a similar surname became a sensation in New York.

Jeremy Lin, a little-known guard who unexpectedly sparked a winning streak for the NBA’s New York Knicks in 2012, became the center of a phenomenon the media dubbed “Linsanity.”

South Effingham’s softball team has spent September in the midst of its own Lynn-sanity.

The Mustangs (20-2) have been crazy good during a 14-game winning streak, and senior Danni Lynn has been going nuts at the plate.

In her last 13 games, Lynn, who is committed to the University of Maryland, is hitting .585 (24-for-41) with nine home runs and 24 RBIs.

Sept. 24, she hit two homers and drove in four during a 15-5 win over rival Effingham County. A day earlier, in a key region matchup against Glynn Academy, she had two homers and six RBIs to lead a 9-3 victory.

“I’m just trying to get base hits and do whatever I can for the team,” Lynn said. “It’s not about the home runs. We’re just trying to win.”

Danni Lynn
South Effingham senior Danni Lynn isn’t the only Mustang making an impact. Ten players have contributed to the team’s 39 home runs this season as the Mustangs, who reached the Class 6A state finals last season, have built a 19-2 record. (Craig LeTourneau / Effingham Herald)

A lineup with depth

Lynn and her teammates are doing a good job of that.

During the winning streak, they’ve outscored opponents 165-37. Ten of the 15 wins have been by eight or more runs. Seven have been by 10 or more.

The Mustangs’ nine-run and 10-run margins of victory were their largest against Effingham County since 2018.

Lynn’s not the only Mustang riding high. South, ranked No. 1 in the Class 6A power rankings, went to the finals at state last season and may be stronger and deeper this season.

Against ECHS on Sept. 24, Cadi Hendry, Kassidee Collins and Makenzie Polk — along with pinch hitter Taylor Swann — combined for eight hits in nine at-bats with seven RBIs. The trio drove in all seven runs with two-out hits.

“One of our strengths is the depth of our lineup,” SEHS coach Adam Newland said. “When you get to the bottom of the lineup, there isn’t a place to rest. We want constant stress, constant pressure on the pitcher. Those kids at the bottom of the lineup do a great job of turning back over to the top of the lineup.”

Back to Lynn

And when you get back to the top of the Mustangs’ lineup, it’s back to Lynn-sanity.

Before Sept. 26, Danni’s 11 home runs this season ranked 11th nationally, according to MaxPreps.

“She’s definitely caught her stride. We’re hoping she can keep it going through October,” Newland said.

Lynn doesn’t mind sharing credit. Ten different girls have contributed to the team’s 39 home runs.

During the winning streak, Alyssa Martin’s walk-off two-run homer won the first meeting with Glynn Academy, 12-10. Justine Nevels’ two-run homer was the key hit in a 4-3 victory over Richmond Hill.

“These girls are great about picking each other up,” Lynn said. “If I’m not on, someone else will pick it up. We have a strong bond this year. It’s always good to have each other’s back.”