MILLINGTON, Tenn. – North Alabama committed nine fielding errors, including four in the second inning that led to five runs, as the Lions dropped the final game of a three-game series with third ranked Central Missouri 9-3 at USA Stadium.
 
UNA fell behind 2-0 in the first inning but claimed a brief 3-2 lead in the top of the second. The Mules then scored five runs in the bottom of the second on a combination of two hits, one walk and five errors.
 
With the loss, UNA is now 1-2 overall, while Central Missouri improved to 2-1.
 
North Alabama starter Bradley Bailey (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits over five innings. Only two of the eight runs were earned. He walked one and struck-out five.
 
Central Missouri got three hits off Bailey in the first inning, including a two-run single by Collin Nevil.
 
UNA responded with a three-run second. Kyle Hubbuch had a leadoff single and Davis Elliott reached on an error. With two outs, Peyton Thomas delivered a two-run single to center to tie the game. After a Drake Tucker single, Thomas scored to give UNA the lead on a double-steal attempt where Tucker was thrown out.
 
The Mules reclaimed the lead with a five-run second to make it 7-3.
 
Central Missouri added a run in the fifth when a UNA error with two outs allowed UCM's eighth run to cross the plate. The Mules made it 9-3 with a run in the eighth after a single, a fielder's choice and UNA's ninth error of the day.
 
North Alabama plays Miles at Rickwood Field in Birmingham on Tuesday (Feb. 8) at 1 p.m. The Lions will open their 2017 home schedule on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a double-header against Bellarmine.