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Rebels eliminate 'Cats, earn rematch against 'Doggs
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Christian Campbell (2) rushes to celebrate with Rebels teammates Jordan Rahn (1) and Ryan Harley after Harley laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to plate the winning run in Game 1 on Thursday. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff
Staff Report
Effingham Herald
Updated: May 3, 2019, 4:11 AM
Published: May 3, 2019, 4:10 AM

SPRINGFIELD -- The never-say-die Effingham County Rebels' quest for the Class AAAAAA baseball championship is very much alive.

The Rebels (28-5) swept the Valdosta Wildcats (23-10) 3-2 and 9-1 Thursday to qualify for the quarterfinal round next week at Winder-Barrow. The Bulldoggs defeated the Rebels 14-0 on March 2.. 

In Game 1 Thursday, Effingham County rallied from a 2-0 deficit. The clinching blow was a bases-loaded squeeze bunt by Ryan Harley that plated Holden Fields, who was pinch running for Chandler Hinely.

Hinely, Christian Campbell and Chase Howze also got aboard during the rally.

Late-inning heroics were unnecessary in Game 2 as the Rebels dominated throughout the contest. 

Effingham County got stellar pitching in both games. Ethan Johnson gave up only three hits while going the distance in Game 1 and Merritt Evans notched nine strikeouts while twirling six frames in the nightcap.

Campbell had three RBI in Game 2 and Dustin Johnson added a pair.

See the May 8 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.
Clara Vorel’s Dominance at the Net Sets the Tone for South Effingham’s Title Hopes
Clara Vorel
South Effingham's Clara Vorel (No. 17) goes up to block the shot of Brunswick's Anna Weese during a 2024. (Mark Lastinger / Effingham Herald.)
Published: Jul 25, 2025, 7:38 PM
Clara Vorel, a 6-foot-3 middle blocker for South Effingham High School, has established herself as one of the area’s top volleyball players. With nearly 700 kills and more than 230 blocks in her career, she enters her senior year committed to Towson University and determined to lead the Mustangs back to the state tournament.
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