The South Effingham Lady Mustangs came ready to play on Sept. 7 at the Mill Creek Invitational Fast Pitch Softball Tournament in Statesboro. The Lady Stangs went undefeated, outscoring their collective opponents 42-4.
SEMS started off the day against Burke County and took the lead early giving up no runs on their way to a 17-0 victory. Sixth-grade pitcher, Hailey Pinette, gave up only 1 hit and had a staggering 7 strikeouts.
Then it was on to Swainsboro. The Lady Stangs handled them easily, winning 8-0. Seventh-grade pitcher, Emily Laverenz handled Swainsboro’s lineup with ease, racking up 10 strikeouts. South Effingham Middle School Mustangs’ pitcher gave up just two hits over six shutout innings. South Effingham Middle School Mustangs blew out Swainsboro thanks to 10 hits on the offensive end.
After that the Lady Stangs faced-off against cross-town rivals, ECMS Panthers. Ten runs in the first three innings allowed South Effingham Middle School Mustangs to put the game away early. Seventh-grade pitcher, Kastin Belogorska, had an impressive outing against Effingham County Middle School’s lineup. Kastin held Effingham County Middle School hitless over two innings, allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out three.
SEMS met ECMS again in the championship game later that night. Kastin Belogorska handled Effingham County Middle School’s lineup again with ease, racking up 7 strikeouts. Kastin allowed no earned runs, four hits and no walks over six innings.
The Mustang offense had a strong day with 33 hits combined with Alexa Johanson leading her team with an amazing 7 hits. Hailey Pinette and Katelynn Hodges both came up with triples to help their team as well.
Georgia Dowling with 3 hits including a double, Madi Goff with 1 hit, Katelynn Hodges with 2 hits including a triple, Kylie Bohl with 1 hit, Allie Ergle 2 hits, Courtney Cubbedge 3 hits, Francie Gaskin 2 hits, Hailey Pinette 3 hits including a triple, Krysten Hodges 1 hit, Mallori Jenkins 3 hits, Alexa Johanson 7 hits, Lauren Conaway 1 hit, and Kastin Belagorska with 4 hits.