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SEMS wins 12th straight region title
1122 SEMS softball region champs
Pictured are, left to right, front row: bat girl Layla Bosche, Elizabeth Hare, Madi Goff, Natalie Easterling and Kiera Nesmith; middle row kneeling: Francie Gaskin and Krysten Hodges; middle row standing: Lauren Conaway, Katelynn Hodges, Kastin Belagorska, Madelyn Smith, Mallori Jenkins, Alexa Johanson, Hailey Pinette, Kylie Bohl, Georgia Dowling, Emily Laverenz, Courtney Cubbedge, Alli Ergle, Cason Smith and Cheyenne Miller; and back row: coaches Mike Liscio, Jona Downs, Larry Sellers and Shelley Hobbs. - photo by Photo provided

The South Effingham Middle School Lady Mustangs softball team took home the region championship for the 12th year in a row.

The Lady Mustangs had a perfect season, finishing 20-0 in tournament and region play combined. They scored 244 runs during the season while allowing only 32.

The Lady Mustangs jumped out to an early lead on Richmond Hill in the championship game and captured an 11-3 victory at SEMS. Nine runs in the first three innings allowed South Effingham to put the game away early.

Seventh-grader Kastin Belagorska earned the win on the mound, backed by a strong Lady Mustang defense. Belagorska also was 2-for-3 at the plate.

Emily Laverenz, Cheyenne Miller and Katelynn Hodges all went 2-for-3 as well, with Laverenz driving in two runs and scoring one and Miller scoring twice and driving in a run.

Georgia Dowling had two hits, three runs batted in and a run scored. Cason Smith added a hit, an RBI and two runs scored, and Courtney Cubbedge had a run and an RBI.

Head coach Jona Downs has guided the Lady Mustangs to 13 region championships in her 14 years at SEMS. Also coaching for the ‘Stangs are assistants Shelley Hobbs, Mike Liscio and Larry Sellers.