Emilia Clemons was simply untouchable in the circle Tuesday evening as Coastal Georgia took Game 2 of its three-game series against New College of Florida with a dominant 4-0 shutout victory at home. The win pushes the Mariners to 24-5 on the season with the series finale still to come Wednesday.
Clemons was nothing short of dominant from start to finish, retiring all 24 batters she faced over seven complete innings on just 74 pitches. She struck out two, did not issue a single walk, and held New College of Florida to just three hits — all singles — while never allowing a runner past first base. It was her fourth complete game of the season and first shutout, improving her record to 9-1. Her ERA on the season now sits at 1.90, a testament to the kind of consistency she has brought to the Coastal Georgia pitching staff all year.
Coastal Georgia wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Carolino singled and promptly stole second base before coming home on an RBI single by Rylee Mills to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. The offense went quiet in the second but found its rhythm again in the third when Carolino once again set the table, singling and stealing second before scoring on a wild pitch to extend the advantage to 2-0. It was another example of the speed and aggression that makes Carolino such a difficult out at the top of the lineup.
The Mariners put the game fully out of reach in the fifth inning with a two-run frame that featured some timely hitting with runners in scoring position. Julianna Batts reached on an error, stole second, and eventually scored on an RBI single by Mills — her second RBI of the game. Emerson Askew followed with a clutch RBI single of her own to plate Carolino and push the lead to 4-0, which was more than enough cushion for Clemons to work with.
Carolino was the clear offensive catalyst throughout the afternoon, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Mills was equally productive, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBI to cap a strong individual day at the plate. Askew, Andrews, and Batts each added hits as Coastal Georgia collected 11 total hits against New College starter Isabella Yazzetti, who took the loss to fall to 6-4 on the season.
The Mariners now hold a 2-0 advantage in the series heading into Wednesday's decisive Game 3. First pitch information and updates can be found by following Coastal Georgia Athletics.
