BRUNSWICK, Ga. – In a game that had four lead changes and four pitching changes, the Coastal Georgia softball team used a seven run sixth inning to propel them to a game three and a series win over the Southeastern Fire on Saturday afternoon, winning the rubber match by a 9-4 final.
 
The Fire (32-14, 12-6 TSC) took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning until the Mariners (33-9, 13-5 TSC) exploded in the bottom half for seven runs on four hits to fuel a fiery comeback and stun Southeastern on Senior Day.
 
Both sides got their second hitter in the lineup on base in the first inning, but Sanders was called for leaving early on a steal attempt to kill the Fire's momentum, while Rori Rhodes singled and advanced to second, but was stranded.
 
Starter Bryce Peacock shut down the Fire in the second, and the Mariners came in for the bottom half looking to add some runs and score first for the first time in the series. With two outs in the inning, Rily Andrews and Emma Jones hit back-to-back singles, and MacKenzie Kagee reached on an error to load the bases. Once again in the series, the Mariners stranded the bases loaded on a fly out, and the game went to the third still tied 0-0.
 
The Fire broke through first in the third inning, using a leadoff triple from Hailey Brooks and a bunt single from Nicole Wasserstrom to score the games first run.
 
It didn't take long for the Mariners to respond, as Rhodes singled to begin the bottom of the third, and Peacock followed with a two run home run to give the Mariners a 2-1 lead. That home run was number nine on the season for Peacock and her 25^th of her career, as she is now just three away from breaking the single season home run record of 11, held by Olivia Husted.
 
The celebration was short lived, however, as Leah Gonzalez hit a home run of her own to dead center, tying the game for the Fire at 2-2.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Mariners got back-to-back singles from Rylee Mills and Julianna Batts, but could not retake the lead as the game progressed into the sixth still tied at 2-2.
 
In the top of the sixth, the Fire looked like they were going to break the heart of the Mariners faithful, scoring a pair of runs in the inning to take a 4-2 lead. Chapel Cunningham started the inning with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a bunt single from Riley Sanders. A passed ball allowed Cunningham to score and Sanders to advance all the way to third, where she came across to score on an RBI single from Gonzalez.
 
After losing the lead in the top half, the Mariners used that passion to fuel their big seven inning run in the bottom half. Andrews and Morgan Coleman both drew walks to begin the inning, and both moved into scoring position on a sac bunt from Kagee. Sarah Thinger came through next with an RBI single to score Andrews, as she moved to second on a wild throw into home. Rhodes followed with an RBI single of her own to score Coleman and tie the game. Peacock drew a walk and Mills followed with a sac fly into left to score Thinger and give the Mariners their first lead since the third inning. Batts drew a walk herself to load the bases once again, and this time the Mariners came through with two big hits with the bases loaded. Mackenzie Southerland singled to second to score Rhodes, and Andrews had the hit of the inning, a three RBI double to clear the bases and give the Mariners a 9-4 lead going into the final frame.
 
Elizabeth McGovern returned to the circle for the seventh inning, and did give up a single in the inning, but that was all as the Mariners took the game and series with a 9-4 victory.
 
Rhodes finished 3-4 on her senior day with two runs scored and an RBI, Peacock finished 1-2 with two runs scored and 2 RBI's and Rily Andrews finished 2-3 with a run scored and three massive RBI's. Six of the nine batters In the lineup recorded an RBI, and eight of the nine starters recorded at least one hit in the game.
 
McGovern picked up win number seven on the season with two innings of relief allowing four hits and two runs, while Peacock went five innings allowing just three hits and two earned runs.
 
The Mariners return to action next week as they travel to St. Thomas where a chance at a regular season championship will be on the line. The series is scheduled to begin on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.