Despite losing four of five games in a softball tournament in Duluth, South Effingham head softball coach Donnie Ussery said his team is better prepared for the season because of playing in the Mill Creek/Central Gwinnett Tournament.

“I honestly believe we are a better team today that what we went up there with Friday,” he said. “The girls played great.”

The tournament featured several teams that advanced to the state playoffs in all classifications.

“We were humbled,” Ussery said. “We saw that we can’t just walk on the field. I think the girls saw they have to get better in all aspects of the game. We took a lump this weekend.”

The Lady Mustangs left for Duluth on Friday morning and upon arriving at the park, the skies opened, forcing them to sit out a 3-1/2-hour rain delay.

After it stopped raining, the Lady Mustangs played Norcross close, taking a 2-2 tie into the fifth inning. Norcross, however, took advantage of a few errors to win 8-2.

The next morning, South Effingham lost a doubleheader with Class AAA’s No. 7 Hardaway, 8-2 and 2-1.

Later Saturday afternoon, the Lady Mustangs picked up their first win of the tournament and the season, defeating Class AAAAA’s No. 8 Harrison 6-4 in eight innings.

South Effingham concluded the tournament losing 3-0 to Class AAAAA’s No. 3 Mill Creek 3-0.