TUSCALOOSA, ALA. – Coastal Carolina’s softball team (1-12) fell to fifth-ranked University of Alabama (14-3) Saturday, March 4 at the Crimson Classic, losing 4-2 in the opening game of the day and then 5-2 in the nightcap

The Lady Chanticleers struck first in the fourth inning, Danyelle Gerdts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Air Academy) singled and then advanced to second after a single by Sara Hostetler (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley), Gerdts then moved to third base after a throwing error by catcher Katie Johnson. Coastal had the bases loaded after senior Kelly Feely (Livermore, Calif./Granada) was walked. Coastal scored two runs on Carla Hood's (Marion, S.C./Marion) double, bringing in Gerdts and Hostetler.

Alabama struck back in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a double down the right side by sophomore Jordan Praytor. Alabama followed that with a double by Staci Ramsey, who brought in Praytor for the Crimson Tide’s first run of the game.  Coastal managed an out before back-to-back walks to Dominique Accetturo and Stephanie VanBrakle. Brittany Nelson (Flower Mound, Texas/Marcus) then managed to strike out Michelle Menningmann and get Ashley Holcombe to ground out to end the inning and preserve the 2-1 Coastal lead.

In the fifth for Alabama, Mandy Burford singled up the middle and advanced to second after Praytor bunted. Burford then scored Alabama’s second run after a throwing error by catcher Glynn Tolleson (Tomball, Texas/Tomball (Radford)). The Tide then scored a third run after Rogers had advanced to third after the same error by Tolleson and scored after a sacrifice fly by Ramsey, giving Alabama the lead 3-2. Woods then sacrfice bunted Praytor in for the 4-2 lead.

Coastal was unable to muster any more runs for the game, dropping Nelson to 0-4 for the year. VanBrakle received the win, making her 7–1 for the season.

In the first inning of the second game, Alabama got on the board first. Brittany Rogers singled and stole second and then eventually scored on Jordan Praytor's double to give the Tide the 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless second for Coastal, the Crimson Tide broke the game open with four runs. Katie Johnson singled, stole second and then advanced to third after a wild pitch by Gerdts. Johnson scored on a single by Mandy Burford, giving the Tide the 2-0 lead. Burford then stole second, putting another Tide runner in scoring position. Alabama scored a third run after Brittany Rogers hit a double, bringing in Burford for the 3-0 lead. Praytor then singled bringing Rogers in to make it 4-0. Praytor stole second and advanced to third on Staci Ramsey's single to put runners at the corner. With two down, Ramsey and Praytor executed the double steal to score Praytor and make it 5-0 Alabama.

Coastal broke on the board in the sixth inning. Gerdts reached base on a throwing error by the Tide third baseman, going all the way to second. Gerdts then went on to advance to third after a wild pitch by Chrissy Owens. Gerdts scored CCU's first run of the game on a triple by Hostetler, making the score 5-1 Alabama. Feely then scored Hostetler on a single to cut the margin to 5-2. However Coastal couldn't manage any more, as back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning. The Lady Chants couldn't manage anything in the seventh, falling to Alabama, 5-2.

Gerdts took the loss and is 0-4 for the season, while VanBrakle was awarded the win and is 8-1 for the season.

CCU will now play Ohio State (8-9) in the consolation game of the Crimson Classic Sunday, March 5 at 12 p.m.