GUYTON, Ga. – Expectations are high for South Effingham’s softball team this season after the Mustangs advanced to last year’s state championship game.

Eight of nine starters return. Both starting pitchers are back. And a talented group of freshmen is joining the mix.

Ready for a party in Columbus? The narrative is out there, but you won’t hear it from fifth-year coach Adam Newland.

“We understand what the outside view is always going to be, but this is why our culture and standards are important to us,” he said. “Regardless of what everyone thinks, you have to go out and prove it on the field every day. There’s always somebody coming after you to take your spot. It’s all about the constant striving for improvement.”

Newland took the Mustangs on an exciting run in 2025. They finished 26-5, breezing past Winder-Barrow and Milton in the first two rounds of the state playoffs before shutting out Lassiter and Jackson County in the first two games of the Elite Eight double-elimination tournament in Columbus.

South Effingham lost twice to Creekview, but it was the program’s best showing at state since 2005.

“It seems like we have a mission to complete. There’s unfinished business,” senior Justine Nevels said.

But future success hinges on daily work, senior Alyssa Martin said.

“We’re giving it our all at every practice, at every weight session,” she said. “The work ethic that each individual on this team has is incredible, and that’s what sets this team apart from a lot of teams.”

Returning talent

It doesn’t hurt to have an abundance of talent, either.

Senior Danni Lynn, who recently committed to Maryland, returns after leading the team in batting average (.545), home runs (12), doubles (18) and RBIs (52) last season.

The catcher earned Region 1-5A South subregion Player of the Year honors and was a first-team all-state selection by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association.

Nevels and Martin, both committed to North Carolina-Wilmington, had big seasons at first base and third base, respectively. Nevels, who earned the subregion’s Defensive Player of the Year honor, hit .413 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs.

Martin hit .384 with four home runs and 31 RBIs, finishing second to Lynn in RBIs.

Newland said Martin has emerged as a vocal leader.

“She’s basically an extension of the coaching staff when she’s on the field. She’s more the vocal one,” Newland said. “Danni and Justine are leaders as well. They know what we expect. Those are incredible assets in addition to what they can do with a bat in their hands or what they can do in the field.”

Strong in circle

Seniors Cheniyah Jackson and Rosie Dixon gave South Effingham a strong one-two punch in the circle.

Jackson went 11-4 with a 1.11 ERA, while Dixon was 11-0 with a 2.33 ERA. Jackson also hit .397 when used as the designated player.

Juniors Kelsee Collins and Taylor Swann add depth to the pitching staff.

At the top of South Effingham’s lineup, junior Sydney Minshall continued to shine as a table-setter. The middle infielder, who played shortstop with an injured hand late last season, hit .397 with a .525 on-base percentage. She also scored a school-record 43 runs.

Deep lineup

An experienced outfield returns with seniors Makenzi Polk (.289 batting average), Olivia Johnson (.300) and Swann (.409), along with sophomore Cadi Hendry (.304).

Hendry also could see time at catcher, particularly early in the season.

Talented freshmen Destiny Hutchens and Kendall Ward could make an immediate impact. Hutchens, a pitcher and middle infielder, and Ward, a pitcher, played for the ultra-competitive Atlanta Vipers program.

Newland has a contender with seemingly all the intangibles needed to take the next step. The first opportunity arrives Thursday when the season opens against Wayne County.

“These kids are serious about the end goal and they want to win a title, that’s true,” he said. “But they’re mature young people and they understand what matters and what counts. They understand what it’s going to take to get there.”

TEAM SNAPSHOT

Head Coach: Adam Newland (108-25, fifth year)

2025 Record: 26-5, 11-1 Region 1-5A South (first place)

Key Returnees: 3B Alyssa Martin, C Danni Lynn, 1B Justine Nevels, P Cheniyah Jackson

Key Losses: Abbey Jordan

Five Can’t Miss Games

Aug. 8 vs. Wayne Co. (Region 1-4A champion, 26-9 record, won 2 games in Columbus)
Aug. 20 vs. Richmond Hill (20-11 record in 6A, won 1 game in Columbus)
Sept. 3 vs. Grovetown (26-7 record in 6A, advanced to state)

Sept. 8 vs. Glynn Academy (23-9 record, advanced to state, only team to beat SEHS in subregion play last season)
Sept. 22 and 24 vs. Effingham (1st game in Springfield, 2nd in Guyton, Rebels won 27 games, advanced to Columbus)