CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Coastal Georgia softball team's run in the 2024 Sun Conference Tournament came to an end on Friday night as they dropped the nightcap to the Southeastern Fire by a 2-0 final. 

In what was the third place game, the Mariners (36-12) were held to just five hits in the effort and stranded a runner at third in two of the seven innings leading to their second loss of the day. 

The Fire (38-16) jumped right out to an early lead in the very first inning, using a leadoff single from Sanders who moved to second on a sac bunt and scored on a two out single from Gonzalez. In the bottom half, Bryce Peacock got a two out single and stole second, but was stranded on second when a groundout ended the inning. 

In the bottom of the second, Mackenzie Southerland doubled with one out in the inning and made it to third on a groundout from Alyssa Haggerty, but the Mariners once again stranded a runner in scoring position as the game went to the third with the Fire leading 1-0. 

Rori Rhodes got the lone hit of the third inning for either side as the game progressed into the fourth with the same score. 

With Rylee Mills now finding her groove in the circle, the Mariners had one of their best shots of the game to tie it in the bottom of the fourth. Mills got the inning started with a leadoff single and was pinch run for by Courtney Beck. Beck moved to second on a sac bunt by Rily Andrews and to third on a groundout from Southerland. With another runner in scoring position, the inning once again ended with a zero in the run column, and the game went to the fifth with the Mariners still trailing 1-0. 

The Fire took advantage of the Mariners' failure to score in the top of the fifth. Ella Brooks got things started with a one out single and stole second. Sanders grounded out to third to move Brooks over, and Chapel Cunningham got another two out RBI for the Fire on an infield single. Mills found her way out of a big inning once again, but the Fire had doubled their lead going into the bottom of the fifth leading 2-0. 

For the next two innings, the Mariners were retired in order, failing to get a runner on base as the game went into the seventh with CCGA still trailing 2-0. 

In the bottom of the seventh, the Mariners needed two runs to keep the game moving, and got a great start from Andrews who singled to begin the inning. A fielder's choice from Southerland got the first out, as she replaced Andrews on first. Haggerty stepped in and hit a missile right back at Playa in the circle who caught it and was able to double up Southerland to end the game. 

Five different Mariners recorded a hit in the loss but CCGA left four runners on base during the contest. Mills pitched a gem in her first SUN tournament start, pitching a complete game allowing just six hits, two runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. 

The Mariners will now await their fate in the NAIA National Tournament selection process, hoping to gain an at large bid into the 2024 Tournament.