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SPORTS NOTEBOOK: Mustangs step up softball competition in non-subregion play
Kenzie Ergle
South Effingham shortstop Kenzie Ergle (No. 8) puts the tag on a Savannah Christian runner attempting to steal second base in the first inning last Wednesday in Savannah. The Raiders won 6-2. (Mark Lastinger for the Effingham Herald.)

By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SAVANNAH – South Effingham’s softball team lost three of four games this week, but facing quality opponents was more important than wins and losses, said Mustangs coach Adam Newland.

SEHS (10-5, 5-0 Region 1-5A South) stepped away from subregion play this week after outscoring Bradwell Institute and Brunswick 66-1 in five games.

It wasn’t as easy against more established programs like Class 4A’s seventh-ranked Wayne County, Class 6A’s fifth-ranked Grovetown and highly regarded Savannah Christian.

The Mustangs lost to Wayne 5-3 on Sept. 10 and a day later a costly error led to four unearned runs in a 6-2 loss to Savannah Christian.

On Saturday, SEHS traveled to Grovetown for games with Alcovy and the Panthers. Sophomore Danni Lynn had four hits, including two home runs, and four RBIs in the Mustangs’ wild 15-8 win over Alcovy.

Izzy Wilkins also had two home runs and drove in three runs.

Later Saturday, South scored runs in the sixth and seventh innings to force Grovetown into extra innings before falling 3-2 in eight innings.

Cheniyah Jackson pitched 6.2 strong innings against Grovetown while registering a no-decision. 

“This is an important week for us, regardless of what (our) record ends up,” said Newland, after the Savannah Christian game. “We needed to play some quality opponents so we can gear things up and that’s why we’ve scheduled these teams.”

SEHS should get more competitive games from Glynn Academy and Statesboro in subregion play before the region tournament begins Oct. 1. Effingham County or Greenbrier – both top 10 teams in Class 5A – could be opponents. 

 

SOFTBALL

ECHS sweeps Lakeside, up next Greenbrier

Effingham County stayed on track for its key three-game series this week with Greenbrier by sweeping three games from Lakeside, Evans last week.

The Rebels (11-2, 3-0 in Region 1-5A North) defeated the Panthers 6-1, 12-3 and 15-0 to extend their winning streak to nine games.

It sets the stage for a matchup with fifth-ranked Greenbrier (15-3, 3-0). ECHS is ranked sixth in ScoreAtlanta’s Class 5A top-10 rankings.

The three-game series began Sept. 17 with a single game in Greenbrier before coming to Springfield for a doubleheader on Thursday (Sept. 19).

 

CROSS COUNTRY

SEHS girls second, boys fourth at Augusta Prep Invitational

Ben Fluegel placed third in the boys portion of the race and freshman Natalia Melegari was fourth among the girls to lead South Effingham on Saturday at the Augusta Prep Invitational.

Fluegel posted a personal-best time of 16:47.71 and was less than nine seconds behind winner Jackson Musto of Greenbrier.

Melegari ran a personal best 21:34.

Teamwise, SEHS’ girls were second among seven teams. The boys were fourth among 12 teams.

Here are runners who scored points for the Mustangs:

SEHS boys – Ben Fluegel (16:47.71, 3rd place), Adyn Easton (19:07.90, 30th), Nathaniel West (19:45.44, 47th), Mason Jarvi (20:39.87, 65th) and Ryder Perez (20:42.41, 67th).

SEHS girls – Natalia Melegari (21:34, 4th place), Lydia Alderman (22:03, 8th), Patricia Backlund (22:44, 16th), Rebecca Long (22:57, 18th) and Brenna Kicklighter (23:05, 21st).

 

Hazelhurst meet canceled

Effingham County’s boys and girls were scheduled to compete Sept. 12 in the Southern Georgia Cross Country Championships in Hazelhurst, but the meet was canceled.