JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 6, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team fell to Jacksonville, 9-2, on Saturday in game two of the series in Jacksonville, Fla. UNA took the series opener on Friday, 9-1, setting up a Sunday rubber match at noon. 
 
The Lions fall to 11-18 on the season, while the Dolphins move to 14-16. UNA now has a 3-8 record in ASUN conference play, while Jacksonville moves to 8-3. 
 
North Alabama jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Leighton Jenkins singled and came around to score, but Jacksonville strung together nine runs in the final four innings to take game two of the series.
 
Jacob Bradshaw took the mound for UNA on Saturday, coming off of a stellar 7.0 inning performance where he allowed just two runs in a win over Lipscomb last weekend. Bradshaw twirled four scoreless frames to open up the game, while allowing just two hits.
 
Jenkins singled to lead off the top of the third inning before advancing to second base on a Jacksonville error. After tagging up on a fly out, the North Alabama shortstop came around to score on a Gehrig Frei RBI groundout.
 
Jacksonville answered in the fifth inning, picking up a pair of runs on a fielder's choice for the first Dolphin lead of the series. Bradshaw exited following the fifth with a final line of 5.0 innings, four hits, two earned runs and a strikeout.
 
North Alabama promptly responded in the top of the sixth as Frei picked up his team-leading seventh home run of the season, tying the game at 2-2. 
 
The Dolphins broke through in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring four runs as UNA made the call to the bullpen. Jacksonville tacked on three more runs in the eighth, extending the lead to 9-2 over North Alabama.
 
Frei tabbed both of UNA's RBI's on the evening, bringing his total to a team-best 20. Frei now has seven home runs through 29 contests this season and looks to become the first Lion with 10 or more home runs since Kyle Hubbuch with 12 in 2018. UNA has 25 games remaining in the 2024 campaign. 
 
Pitchers of Record
W – Logan Jones (2-0)
L – Dane Sykes (1-2)
S – None
 
COMING UP NEXT
  
UNA and Jacksonville square off in the series finale on Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m. to decide the series.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.