CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (May 18, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team tackled the Atlantic Sun Conference Co-Champion Austin Peay Governors in a 14-13 thriller in Saturday's season finale in Clarksville, Tenn. 
 
With the win, the Lions bolster a pair of Division I program records for wins and ASUN wins in a season. 
 
The Lions finish out the season with a 18-35-1 record and a 10-19-1 record in ASUN play. With the loss, the Governors settle for an ASUN regular season co-championship with a 20-10 record in conference play, joining Stetson and FGCU. The Govs finish the regular season with a 35-19 record. 
 
After erasing a 10-run deficit, Austin Peay loaded the bases in the ninth inning, as North Alabama game one starter Jacob James sought his first save of the season. After falling behind 3-0, UNA's strikeout king tossed a 3-2 slider that garnered a whiff from previously 3-for-5 Ambren Voitek. 
 
Following a pair of Austin Peay first inning runs, the Lions rattled off 12 straight runs on the way to taking a healthy lead. A pair of errors led to a UNA run in the second inning l, while Andrew Knight doubled home a run in the third to tie the game at 2-2. 
 
Two walks and an Andin Johnson single loaded the bases for North Alabama before Gehrig Frei was hit by a pitch to score a run and give UNA the lead. Austin Peay made a call to the bullpen before Kyle Machado rattled off a two-run single. A walk re-loaded the bases before a second walk and a pair of wild pitches capped off a six-run fourth inning. 
 
Following two quick outs, Machado singled as Knight and Levi Jensen walked on four pitches each. Dominick McIntyre brought home Machado on a fielder's choice. 
 
Cal Cook and Bryant Loving each earned bases loaded walks to bring home two more as Leighton Jenkins singled home a fourth run in the inning and gave the Lions 12-2 advantage. 
 
The Govs explosive offense woke up in the second half of the game, tallying five runs in both the fifth and seventh innings to erase the 10-run deficit. 
 
Brycen Parrish entered in relief and pitched 2.0 innings, allowing just one run on the way to earning his first win of the season. 
 
The Lions wasted no time to answer, regaining the lead in the eighth inning. Jensen walked to open the inning as Frei doubled to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Machado scored Jensen on an RBI groundout as Knight doubled home Frei to give UNA a 14-12 lead.
 
James entered in relief of Parrish and forced a leadoff flyout before Austin Peay notched a bloop single and a double. A second single cut the UNA lead to one before James tallied his first strikeout of the afternoon. A walk loaded the bases with two outs before the left-handed pitcher sat down the final batter of the game in fitting fashion.
 
James tossed 98 pitches in Thursday's contest before entering to pitch the ninth with a two-run lead. On Thursday, the southpaw became UNA's all-time program leader for strikeouts and picked up two more on Saturday. He finishes his senior season at UNA with 284 career strikeouts. 
 
Machado was responsible for five of UNA's runs, going 3-for-5 with three RBI's and two runs.
 
Knight, Frei and Jensen all enjoyed multi-hit afternoons with two hits apiece. Knight doubled twice, ending his season with five extra base hits in his final three games. 
 
Pitchers of Record
W - Brycen Parrish (1-4)
L – Deaton Oak (0-1)
S – Jacob James (1)
 
Saturday's game was UNA's final game of the season,  with the top eight teams in the ASUN standings advancing to the postseason tournament. The Lions finished the season in 10th place. 
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.