TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The LIU softball team embraced its challenge against fifth-ranked Alabama in the opening round of the NCAA Regionals.

The Sharks took the field at Rhoads Stadium against the Crimson Tide for the first time since clinching its Northeast Conference postseason title against Merrimack.

LIU trailed 3-0 after Alabama scored three runs in the first two innings of the game. 

Alyssa O'Donnell pitched five relief innings for the Sharks. The right-handed pitcher struck out a batter and held the Tide to a 3-0 lead after four-innings. 

'Bama would eventually add a pair of runs in the fifth-inning to take a 5-0 lead. 

Camryn Lyman, Maya Avila, Alexia Castro, and Alyssa Polemeni each recorded a hit in the Sharks' 5-0 loss.

"I'm extremely proud of this team," said head coach Roy Kortmann after the game. "We battled hard against a good team and we left it all out there."

LIU plays tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. CT against Central Arkansas. The Sharks must win to keep their season alive.

"We are looking forward to getting back on the field tomorrow, against Central Arkansas. We have something to prove and we are not done yet." Kortman said.