CLEARWATER, Fla. - Opening the Sun Conference tournament for the second consecutive day, the College of Coastal Georgia fell in the first elimination game of the day to the Keiser Seahawks, losing by a final of 6-2.
The Mariners (35-17) outhit the Seahawks 11-9 in the contest, but a costly error in the fourth inning allowed Keiser to put up a crooked number and pull away from CGGA.
Seven of the nine Mariners who started the game in the lineup recorded at least one hit, led by Rylie Smith who finished 3-3 from the plate while Emma Jones and Kaitlyn Carolino both drove in a run each in the game.
CCGA scored both of their runs in the top of the fourth inning as they answered a two run bottom of the third inning from Keiser to retie the game. Smith and Brooke Perdue went back-to-back with singles to begin the inning, but two straight fielder's choices put two outs on the board still with two on. Carolino came through first with an RBI single down the left field line to score Avery Callaway, and Jones singled up the middle right after to score Alyssa Haggerty. Carolino was thrown out at home trying to score the third run of the inning, but the game was tied going into the bottom of the fourth.
In that half inning, Keiser used multiple breaks from errors and umpire calls to break the game wide open, getting four runs on four hits and one CCGA error. At the end of the fourth, Keiser held all the momentum and led 6-2 with three innings to play.
CCGA managed just two hits over the next three innings, both coming in the sixth, as Keiser survived elimination and moves on to continue in the Sun Conference Tournament as the Mariners were eliminated following the loss.
Rylee Mills allowed eight hits and six runs over four innings of play, just two of those runs being earned. The first team All-Conference selection also allowed a season high three walks and five strikeouts.
While not probable, the Mariners could still sneak into the NAIA National Tournament, although it would take some major help. The selection show is set for May 7.
