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South Effingham adds to list of epic comebacks
Phillip Cooper
The Mustangs’ Phillip Cooper puts the ball in play in the first inning of Friday’s game. He racked up two hits and three RBI. - photo by Mark Lastinger/staff

GUYTON — The South Effingham Mustangs are like thoroughbreds who charge their hardest at the finish line. 

The Mustangs notched another come-from-behind victory Friday, defeating Southeast Bulloch 8-7 in eight innings.

The Yellow Jackets led 7-0 in the third frame.

“It’s what we keep saying,” South Effingham head coach Todd Eubanks said. “Our team has a never-say-die attitude and they are a team. They believe in one another and they love each other.

“Everybody uses the word ‘family’ but this is a team. They have each other’s back and they do not quit.”

It was South Effingham’s second eight-inning win this season. It knocked off Effingham County 10-9 in a series-clinching game, getting four runs in their final at-bat.

The Mustangs, winners of five straight, also rallied to beat Jenkins 4-3 Thursday after trailing 3-0 in the opening frame.

“They are going to compete,” Eubanks said. “Look at what all happened tonight. You had Nick Duke play third base, shortstop, he pitched and he played first base. Hunter Walthour played the outfield and he pitched.

“Our kids are flexible and they are doing what they can to help our team.”

The Yellow Jackets racked up 10 hits in the first two innings but relief pitchers Brantley Griggs, Duke, Walthour and Nick Milbrandt cooled them considerably after their hot start.

South Effingham collected eight base knocks. Kaleb Johnson delivered the decisive one —  a one-out, bases-loaded chopper over the mound that went for a single. It was his second hit of the contest.

Walthour scored on the walk-off hit.

Phillip Cooper knocked in a team-high three runs on two hits. Duke plated two runs and had one hit.

In a game at Savannah State University, Cooper, Johnson and Shane Chapman delivered RBI during the decisive rally against Jenkins. Another run scored on an outfield miscue.

Hunter Morgan was the winning pitcher. He scattered six hits in four innings without issuing a walk.

Duke finished the contest on the mound with three perfect innings. He logged three strikeouts.