JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 7, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team took Jacksonville to extra innings Sunday, but ultimately fell 5-4 in 10 innings in the series-deciding game in Jacksonville, Fla.
 
The Lions fall to 11-19 on the season, while the Dolphins move to 15-16. UNA exits the series with a 3-9 record in ASUN conference play, while Jacksonville is tied for first in the league at 9-3. 
 
North Alabama entered the fifth inning down 2-0 before an offensive barrage highlighted by doubles from Leighton Jenkins and Gehrig Frei alongside a pair of bases loaded walks allowed the Lions to take a 4-2 lead. Jacksonville tied the game in the home half of the inning before eventually taking the victory on a game-winning single in the 10th. 
 
Jacksonville was quick to jump out in front in game three of the series. The Dolphins rested runners on first and third before executing a double steal of second and home to pick up an early 1-0 lead. 
 
After allowing a run in the first inning, North Alabama starting pitcher Anthony Pingeton settled in and tossed a pair of scoreless frames in the second and third innings. Jacksonville first baseman Josh Steidl however added to the lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run. 
 
After a strikeout to begin the top of the fifth inning, North Alabama rallied to take a lead. Bryant Loving reached on an error before Jenkins pulled a double down the left field line to put two UNA base runners in scoring position. 
 
Frei answered the call with two outs and plated both Loving and Jenkins to even the score at 2-2. The two-run double served as Frei's fourth extra base hit in the last four games. The North Alabama third baseman also has eight RBIs in that span. 
 
Jonathan Lane walked as Kyle Machado singled to the Jacksonville shortstop to load the bases for UNA. Andrew Knight and Levi Jensen each worked a full count and drew bases loaded walks to give North Alabama a 4-2 lead after the lengthy top of the fifth. 
 
Jacksonville picked up a trio of hits in the home half of the inning, capped off by a two-run double from Steidl to tie the teams at 4-4.
  
Brycen Parrish entered the game for Caleb Menina in the fifth and forced a groundout to prevent any more damage. Parrish would remain in the game for UNA and would toss four scoreless frames to help bring the game into extra innings knotted at four.
 
Jacksonville picked up a pair of singles in the 10th inning to walk off the Lions, handing UNA a loss in their first extra inning game this season. Clay Hodges had the walk-off single to win it.
 
Jensen and Jenkins each enjoyed 2-for-4 hit games, while Machado went 2-for-5 for his team leading 11th multi-hit game of the season. 
 
Pitchers of Record
W – Isaac Williams (2-1)
L – Brycen Parrish (0-3)
S – None
 
COMING UP NEXT
  
North Alabama does not return to action until Friday, April 12 when the Lions square off with Bellarmine for a three game ASUN series in Louisville, Ky. 
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.