LAKELAND, Fla. – The Fire softball team dropped both games in their home finale of the season versus Coastal Georgia. Southeastern were defeated by the Mariners 4-2 in game one and then 5-2 in game two of the doubleheader.
GAME ONE:
It didn't take long for the Mariners to strike as they would lead off with a single up the middle. With one player on base, CCGA would hit an RBI double to left center field to take a 1-0 advantage over the Fire. Coastal Georgia would hit another single, however due to a defensive error on the play, both Mariners players would advance on bases. With two players in scoring position, CCGA hit a two RBI double up the middle of the field, which extended their score 3-0.
In the bottom of the first frame, SEU's
Haleigh Harrell would reach on a fielder's choice. Harrell would then advance to second due to a wild pitch. With two outs,
Sam Holcomb hit an RBI double to left field which would bring home Harrell to put the Fire on the board 3-1.
In the top of the second, CCGA player would reach on fielder's choice and then steal second. With a player in scoring position, the Mariners hit an RBI single up the middle and would increase their lead by one.
The Fire struggled to find a point for three innings, and the score would remain 4-1 for the Mariners until the bottom of the fifth. SEU's
Heather Faulk and Harrell hit back-to-back bunt singles. With players on first and second, Holcomb hit an RBI single up the middle of the field which would bring the senior Faulk to home plate one last time. The game ended with a 4-2 victory for the Mariners.
Hannah Bodenhorn would finish the game with six strikeouts, adding to her total to make 153 on the season.
GAME TWO:
Coastal Georgia would start game two with a lead off walk. CCGA would hit a sacrifice ground out to left field, which would put a player on third, however due to a defensive error, the Mariners would score their first point of the game. Near the end of the inning, CCGA had players on all bases and senior,
Cheyenne Benson-Ross worked out of a one out bases loaded jam to keep the game at 1-0 for the Mariners.
The Fire answered back in the bottom half of the first frame, knotting the game 1-1. Leading off for SEU,
Bailee Moll was hit by pitch, then advanced to second. Harrell hit an RBI double to left field to bring Moll to home plate.
Coastal Georgia would score a run in the second and fifth, and two in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead over the Fire. CCGA kept the Fire quiet until the bottom of the sixth inning. Harrell would lead off with a single to left field, then steal second and advance to third on an error by Mariners catcher.
Lauren Watters hit an RBI ground out to bring Harrell home. Both teams remained scoreless in the seventh and the game would end 5-2 for CCGA.
The Fire are back in action on April 24
th, as they head to Ave Maria (Fla.) to play their last two games of the season against the Gyrenes. Game times are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
