By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

GUYTON – Danni Lynn seemed almost apologetic. Her home run in Columbus last fall propelled South Effingham to a 3-0 win over highly regarded Pope on the opening day of the Class 6A Elite Eight softball state championships.

Lynn’s future travel ball coach watched the game with equal rooting interests. Pope’s pitcher was going to be on his team too.

“After the game, he introduced us. ‘This is the girl who hit the home run off you. I was like ‘Way to make her hate me,’ ” Lynn said.

Unless you’re an opposing pitcher, you’re not going to hate Danni Lynn. She’s smart, sociable, laughs easily, but plays the game she loves seriously and passionately.

A year ago as a freshman, Lynn, who plays travel ball with the under-18 East Cobb Bullets, led the Mustangs with a .446 batting average and seven home runs and was tied for the team lead with 34 runs batted in while earning first-team all-region honors.

After six games this season, Lynn is batting .500 with 11 RBIs as South (4-2) begins its subregion play this week with a three-game set against Bradwell Institute.

“We were excited to add her in last season and she had a great year for us,” Mustangs coach Adam Newland said. “She added a power dynamic that you’d like to have in any lineup. At a certain point, it doesn’t matter what age you are. If you can play, you can play.”

Almost from the start, Newland penciled Lynn into the middle of the batting order. She found defensive playing time in right field.

“I never played right field but I felt at least I’m getting on the field,” she said. “At the end of the season, I warmed up and felt more comfortable.”

Lynn has a way of figuring things out and not just on the softball field. She’s in the STEM program at the Effingham College and Career Academy.

Lynn had more athletic success in the spring during the track and field season. She improved by more than 10 feet in the discus to place second at Sectionals. A week later, she threw a school-record 119 feet, 9 inches and placed sixth at state.

But softball remains her top sport. Lynn ended the 2023 season on an eight-game hitting streak and went 8-for-11 with a home run and four RBIs in four games in Columbus.

This season, defensively, she’s back to her more familiar positions at the corners on the infield and playing catcher. And her offense hasn’t skipped a beat.

“She’s making herself a complete package as a player,” Newland said. “It’s hard to hit .500 for a season, but if anyone can do it, it’s Danni.”

Lynn said she tries to be a leader by example. The Mustangs set a school single-season record with 31 wins last season, but every year brings new team dynamics. This year, South has five first-year starters.

“We’re trying not to pay attention to the score, we just keep going and fighting,” Lynn said.

Last week, Ware County walked Justine Nevels with runners on second and third to pitch to Lynn.

“I guess they were hoping for a force play,” Lynn said.

Instead, she smacked the ball over the fence for a grand slam. At least, Ware didn’t have to worry about baserunners any more.

“It was a good moment,” said Lynn, smiling.