ROME, Ga. -- The University of North Alabama used a ninth inning rally to claim an 8-7 win over Shorter in the opener, then downed the Hawks 10-0 in the nightcap to sweep a Gulf South Conference double-header.

With the sweep, UNA improves to 9-3 overall and 4-1 in the GSC. The Lions have won their last four straight league games. Shorter falls to 7-7 overall and 1-4 in the GSC.

In the opener, UNA took  a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning before starter Austin Carpenter was roughed up for four runs in the bottom of the frame. Shorter extended its lead to 6-3 with two runs in the fifth but UNA regained the lead with two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh for a 7-6 advantage.

After Shorter tied the game in the bottom of the eighth, UNA pushed across the eventual winning run in the top of the ninth. Dylan Calhoun singled with one out and advanced to third on an error. Davis Elliott drove him in with a sacrifice fly to make it 8-7 and the Lions loaded the bases before Shorter could work out of the jam.

UNA reliever Blake Talley then retired all three batters that he faced in the bottom of the ninth to get the win. Talley (2-1) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and struckout two. Carpenter pitched four innings, allowing six runs on seven hits with three walks and five striekouts. Devan Traglia pitched three and two thirds innings and gave up one run on two hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

In the second game, UNA got three runs in the second inning and added one in the fifth, five in the sixth and one in the seventh.

Starter Todd Gibson (2-1) got the win for the Lions, firing a complete game two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts. Shorter had just three base-runners in the game.

Taylor Hayes drove in two runs in the second inning and the third scored on an error. Kevin Hall walked in the fifth and later scored on an error to make it 4-0. A two-run single by Kyle Crabtree in the sixth opened the flood gates and Kyle Hubbuch followed with a sacrifice fly and Calhoun with a two-run double to make it 9-0.

UNA out-hit Shorter nine to two, led by Crabtree and Hayden Holt with two each.

The Lions and Hawks play the final game of the series Sunday at noon.