Brooke Perdue came up big Friday morning, lining a walk-off RBI single to right field in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Mariners past New College of Florida 4-3 and keep their Sun Conference Tournament hopes alive. The win moves Coastal Georgia to 36-11 on the season.
The Mariners came out sharp from the opening pitch, building a 2-0 lead in the first inning without even recording an official hit. Kaitlyn Carolino drew a walk, stole third, and scored on an RBI double by Rily Andrews, and Mackenzie Southerland followed with a sacrifice fly to give Coastal Georgia a comfortable early cushion.
New College of Florida fought back in the second, with Arianna Thomason delivering a two-run double to even the score at two. Both teams traded punches throughout the middle innings before Andrews came through again in the fifth with an RBI single to put the Mariners back on top 3-2. The Navigators would not go away quietly, however, tying the game once more in the seventh on an RBI double by Rylie Harwood that set up a dramatic finish.
With the season potentially on the line, Coastal Georgia's lineup rose to the occasion. Mills singled and Andrews doubled to put runners on second and third, and after Southerland drew a walk to load the bases, Perdue delivered the moment the Mariners needed — a single through the right side that sent Mills home and the Coastal Georgia dugout into celebration.
Emilia Clemons pitched six solid innings, navigating through a patient New College of Florida lineup that drew seven walks while keeping the Navigators off the board in the key moments. Mills came on in relief for the seventh and held the Navigators at bay to earn the save and set up the dramatic bottom half.
Andrews was exceptional throughout, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in another standout tournament performance. Carolino was equally impressive at the top of the order, reaching base three times and scoring twice, and Perdue's clutch hit in the final frame will be one the Mariners remember for a long time.
Coastal Georgia now shifts its focus immediately, with a rematch against Warner scheduled for 4:30 this afternoon.
