MONROEVILLE, Ala. - In a dramatic showdown between the Coastal Alabama rivals, Coastal Alabama - North Softball suffered a tough 5-4 extra-inning loss to Coastal Alabama - South on Tuesday, Mar. 31 on the Monroeville campus.

The Coyotes of Coastal - North controlled the game for much of the afternoon, riding a strong defensive effort and timely pitching to hold a 1-0 advantage through six innings. Coastal - North's early lead set the tone, as they kept Coastal - South's lineup in check and appeared poised to secure a key home victory.

However, the Coyotes from Bay Minette, Ala. refused to go quietly. Coastal - South broke through in the top of the seventh inning, plating the tying run to even the score at 1-1 and force extra innings.

Both teams traded runs in the eighth inning, each pushing across a run to keep things deadlocked at 2-2 and extend the contest further. The tension continued to build as neither side could deliver a decisive blow through the ninth.

In the top of the 10th, Coastal - South finally created separation. Taking advantage of key opportunities, the visitors strung together a three-run inning to jump ahead 5-2, putting Coastal - North in a difficult position entering the bottom half.

Coastal - North showed resilience until the final at-bat, rallying for two runs to cut the deficit to one and bring the potential winning run to the plate. Despite the late surge and a valiant effort to complete the comeback, the Coyotes from Monroeville ultimately came up just short, falling 5-4 in a hard-fought extra-inning battle.

Jordan Avera highlighted the offense with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, recording her first collegiate home run in the process to put the 'Yotes on the scoreboard in the second inning. Destiny Holmes joined Avera with a pair of hits, finishing 2-for-5 at the dish, and Madison Freeman picked up an RBI with a 1-for-4 showing. From the pitcher's circle, Bayleigh Elton tossed 5.2 innings as the starter, allowing seven hits and three unearned runs. Abbie Huff pitched 4.1 innings from out of the bullpen, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned and one unearned).

The midweek contest showcased the competitive nature of the sibling rivalry, with both squads trading momentum swings and delivering clutch performances throughout the game.

What's Ahead for the Coyotes of Monroeville

Coastal Alabama - North falls to 11-25 overall on the season following the non-divisional loss on Tuesday, and will look to bounce back in the next outing scheduled for Thursday, Apr. 2 at home in Monroeville, Ala. The 'Yotes will host Marion Military for a doubleheader on Thursday, set for 1:00 p.m. CT. Thursday's DH begins a weekend of four consecutive games with the MMI Tigers. 
 

For coverage of Coastal Alabama North Athletics, follow the Coyotes on social media at /CoastalAlabamaNorth (Facebook), @CoastalAL_north (Twitter), and @coastalal_north (Instagram), or visit the official home of the Coastal Alabama North Athletic Department at https://coastalcoyotessnorth.com/index.aspx.