It was a difficult afternoon at home for Coastal Georgia on Friday as the Mariners dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Southeastern, falling 8-2 in Game 1 and 2-1 in Game 2 to slip to 32-7 on the season. Southeastern, one of the top programs in the country at 35-4, proved to be a formidable opponent, and the Mariners were unable to generate enough offense on either occasion to overcome strong pitching from the Fire.

In Game 1, Coastal Georgia actually drew first blood, with Rily Andrews and Mackenzie Southerland each delivering RBI hits in the fourth inning to stake the Mariners to a 2-0 lead. But Southeastern answered in a big way, stringing together six consecutive hits in the fifth to erase the deficit and take control for good. Hailey Bradley, Lauren Sekinger, Ella Brooks, and Abby Franey all drove in runs during the surge, and the Fire tacked on two more in the sixth and one in the seventh to set the final at 8-2. Rylee Mills took the loss after allowing five runs over 4.2 innings, with McKenzie Collins and Brooke Perdue unable to slow the momentum in relief.

Game 2 was an altogether different kind of game — a tight, well-pitched duel that came down to the final out. Emilia Clemons was outstanding for Coastal Georgia, going all seven innings and holding Southeastern to just five hits. The Mariners were kept in check throughout by Fire pitcher Edan Playa, who was equally sharp, tossing a complete game while striking out five and allowing just two hits. Southeastern broke through in the fourth when Raylei McKinney singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI double by Erica Ramsey to take a 1-0 lead, then added an insurance run in the seventh on another McKinney RBI double. Coastal Georgia mounted a late charge in the bottom of the seventh when Andrews doubled home Maddy Lee to cut the deficit to 2-1, but the tying run could not come across.

Andrews was one of the few consistent bright spots on the day, driving in runs in both games. Southerland contributed an RBI double in Game 1, and Clemons deserves credit for a gutty complete-game effort in Game 2 that gave the Mariners every chance to win a close one.

The series is not over yet, with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday. Coastal Georgia will look to regroup overnight and come out ready to take the rubber match. For the latest updates and schedule information, follow Coastal Georgia Athletics.