FLORENCE, Ala. (April 21, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team fell to Stetson 4-1 in the series finale on Sunday in Florence. At least one North Alabama batter reached base safely in all nine innings, but the Lions were unable to capitalize in all but the eighth inning in game three.
 
The Lions fall to 14-23 on the season, while the Hatters improve to 26-14. UNA is now 6-12 in ASUN Conference play, while Stetson is in a three-way tie for first at 12-6.
 
Down four runs in the bottom of the eighth, Dominick McIntyre earned a hit-by-pitch to lead off the inning to set up a Levi Jensen RBI double, putting UNA on the board. After a groundout, Andrew Knight took first base on the second hit by pitch of the inning, leaving runners at the corners with one out. Stetson struck out the next two batters to escape the inning with a 4-1 lead.
 
The Lions stranded a pair of runners in the first frame before Stetson opened up the scoring with a trio of hits in the second inning. North Alabama led off the second inning with a walk and a single before loading the bases with one out. The Hatters left three UNA runners on base following a strikeout and a fielder's choice.
 
Stetson tallied a third run in the third inning on an RBI single to push the lead to 3-0 midway through the third. The UNA pitching staff settled in and allowed just one run for the remaining six innings of the game. 
 
Right-handed pitcher Anthony Pingeton tossed 4.0 innings, striking out four while allowing three runs. Justin Battle entered in relief for Pingeton in the fifth, and pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just three baserunners while setting a new season-high mark with four punchouts. 
 
Jensen stepped up to the plate in the eighth with one runner on and deposited a double into the left center field gap. McIntyre scored from first base to prevent the Hatter shutout. With runners on the corners and one out, the Lions were unable to capitalize. 
 
Dane Sykes entered in eighth to pitch the final 1.1 innings, not allowing an earned run in his second appearance of the weekend. 
 
Despite just scoring just one run in the game, 16 UNA baserunners reached safely, including six hits, six walks and four hit batters.
 
Pitchers of Record
W – Daniel Paret (5-2)
L – Anthony Pingeton (3-3)
S – Cole Stallings (5)
 
COMING UP NEXT
  
UNA travels to Oxford, Miss. to take on Ole Miss on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The teams have met three times previously since North Alabama's jump to Division I, with UNA sporting a win over the Rebels in 2019. 
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.