GUYTON — Trailing 1-0 midway through the first inning, South Effingham had Liberty County right where it wanted it Friday night.

As has been their custom recently, the Mustangs came from behind in a big way, winning 16-1 in a contest halted after four frames because of the mercy rule. The victory was South Effingham’s seventh straight,  upping its record to 9-2.

It was the fourth successive game that South Effingham had to rally to win.

Phillip Cooper terrorized the Panthers (3-9) with two hits and four RBI. He stroked a second-inning single and a third-inning double.

Cooper’s extra-base knock was the key blow of a six-run uprising that was aided by three walks, a hit batsman and two errors. His  double to left field plated Shane Chapman and Kaleb Johnson.

The Mustangs posted four runs in the second and fourth innings. Five straight hitters — Chapman (walk), Johnson (single), Cooper (single), Nick Duke (single) and Nick Milbrandt — reached safety to open the first rally.

In their final at-bat, the Mustangs put seven straignt batters aboard and never made an out before plating the run that kicked the mercy rule into effect. Only one ball was put in play — a single by Hunter Walthour. The other hitters reached via a walk or got plunked.

Milbrandt scored a first inning run after Aaron Benton drew a bases-loaded walk. Milbrandt advanced to third by stealing a pair of bases. 

Duke tallied South Effingham’s first run, scoring on an outfielder error after getting hit by a pitch.

South Effingham finished with nine hits. Walthour and Johnson joined Cooper with multiple safeties.

Jacob Tuten drove in two runs.

Hunter Morgan was the winning pitcher, allowing the lone run on three hits. He struck out two and walked one.

Walthour finished the game on the mound, working a hitless frame.

South Effingham, which played Glynn Academy on Tuesday, is set to host Jenkins today at 6 p.m. and visit Islands at 4 p.m. Saturday.