HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — An Effingham County Rebel reunion was conducted at Richard Grady Stadium on Feb. 23.

A doubleheader split between Georgia College and USC Beaufort featured former Effingham County standouts Sydney Newberry, Addie Reynolds, Jaci Coleman and Francie Gaskin. 

Gaskin, Reynolds and Coleman came up big in the opener, leading the Sand Sharks to an 8-7 win in extra innings. Gaskin, an infielder, belted four singles and drove in two runs; Reynolds, a catcher, slugged a three-run; and Coleman, an outfielder, popped a triple and scored once.

Newberry, a shortstop, and the Bobcats bounced back to win the second contest 7-4. Newberry slugged one hit, collected an RBI and scored twice. 

Coleman and Reynolds had hits for USB Beaufort. Coleman’s hit was another triple. Gaskin joined them in scoring a run.

The Effingham County players have taken the field as teammates and opponents for more than a decade, starting as all-stars in an 8-and-under recreation league. Newberry and Coleman’s association started even earlier.

There will be more reunions in the future as the Sand Sharks and Bobcats are set to become regular opponents starting in 2022-23 school year. USB Beaufort is set to join Georgia College in the NCAA Division II Peach Conference, which also includes Augusta, Columbus State, Flagler, Georgia Southwester, Lander, North Georgia, USC Aiken and Young Harris.