FLORENCE, Ala. -- North Alabama took a 3-0 lead, watched Tennessee Tech go ahead 11-4, then rallied for four late runs, but it wasn't enough as the Lions dropped an 11-8 decision to the unbeaten Golden Eagles at Mike Lane Field.
North Alabama, now 1-4 overall, had nine hits in the game, including six doubles, but Lion pitchers allowed 16 hits and UNA defenders made four costly errors. Tennessee Tech improved to 7-0.
UNA jumped on top with three runs in the second inning as
Peyton Thomas had a leadoff double,
Reid Homan walked and they both scored on an RBI-double by
Luke Harper. Harper later scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by
Dominick McIntyre.
Tennessee Tech answered in the top of the third inning with a six-run outburst on seven hits that included two home runs. The Golden Eagles extended the lead with two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth for a 9-3 advantage.
UNA got a run back in the bottom of the sixth when
Zak Majer doubled and scored on an RBI-single by
Reid Homan.
TTU put two more on the board in the top of the sveneth to make it 11-4 and UNA got a run in the bottom of the frame when
Jonathan Lane was hit-by-pitch, stole second, and scored on a
Drew Hudson RBI-double.
The Lions made it more interesting with a three-run eighth inning. Homan and Harper both walked and
Austin Thrasher singled to apparently load the bases. But when Lion runners advanced too far, an errant throw by Tennessee Tech allowed two runners to score. Thrasher later scored after a sac bunt and an RBI-single by Lane.
Austin Nichols (0-2) took the loss for UNA, allowing four runs on five hits over two and a third innings. He struckout two batters.
Tyler Sylvester (1-0), got the win for Tennessee Tech in 3.2 innings of relief.
UNA hosts Austin Peay State on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.