BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The College of Coastal Georgia returned home in emphatic fashion on Friday afternoon, posting a 14-1 mercy-rule victory over Florida Memorial in five innings to open a home doubleheader. The Mariners were relentless at the plate from the opening pitch, sending 15 hits to all parts of the field and getting contributions from virtually every player on the roster.
Rylee Mills set the tone early in the circle, striking out five batters in a dominant three-inning stretch that held Florida Memorial scoreless while her offense built an insurmountable lead. Kate Owens came on in the fourth and worked two innings in relief, allowing just one run as the Mariners cruised to the mercy-rule victory. The pitching staff combined to strike out six and kept Florida Memorial from putting anything together until the game was well out of reach.
The offensive outburst was something to behold. CCGA scored in each of the first four innings, putting up three runs in the first, three more in the second, three in the third, and then a jaw-dropping five-run fourth inning that put the final nail in the coffin. Mackenzie Southerland was outstanding at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, and two RBI while showing the kind of all-around offensive game that has made her one of the most dangerous hitters in the lineup all season. Mills contributed just as much from the pitcher's spot in the batting order, going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI in her time at the plate before being replaced behind the dish.
Emma Jones sparked the second inning with a two-run triple, while Brooke Perdue added a double and an RBI and Julianna Batts contributed a pair of hits and two runs scored. The fourth inning was a team effort in every sense, with Ashley Stanley drawing a bases-loaded walk for an RBI, Isabella Theus delivering a run-scoring single, Ella Romano adding a grounded-out RBI, and Southerland capping the frame with a two-run double that pushed the lead to 14-1.
The depth of the Mariner roster was on full display as well, with Kaitlyn Carolino, Avery Callaway, Addison Knight, Raeghan Harvey, Emerson Askew, and Maddy Lee all seeing time and contributing to the offensive onslaught. Carolino was particularly active on the bases, stealing three bags and scoring three times from the leadoff spot. Every player who stepped into the batter's box had a role in one of the most complete offensive performances of the season, and the Mariners' 15-hit attack left little doubt about the final result from the very first inning.
With the dominant home victory, Coastal Georgia continues to build momentum heading into the second game of the doubleheader, showing once again that this roster has the firepower to put games away quickly and the depth to keep the pressure on for a full seven innings.
