FLORENCE, Ala. (May 9, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team prepares to celebrate the final series at Mike D. Lane Field on May 10-12 against North Florida. UNA has played at Mike Lane Field since records have been kept dating back to 1984.
Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast while live video will be available via ESPN+.
North Florida at North Alabama
Friday, May 10, 2024
6 PM
North Florida at North Alabama
Saturday, May 11, 2024
3 PM
North Florida at North Alabama
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Noon
NOTES
A Special Farewell: This weekend, the University of North Alabama baseball team will play the last ever series at Mike D. Lane Field in Florence, Ala. against North Florida. UNA boasts a record of 796-312-5 at "The Mike" since records have been kept beginning in 1984. North Alabama will celebrate the history of Mike Lane Field on Saturday, May 11 with an alumni reunion and pre-game ceremony for former head coach Mike Lane.
A Chance at History: North Alabama starting pitcher
Jacob James struck out eight batters on Friday, May 3 against Queens. He enters the midweek contest having struck out 272 batters in his UNA career. James is second in the ASUN with 93 strikeouts and is just eight strikeouts shy of tying Chad Boughner for the most in program history.
April Showers: In the month of April, the University of North Alabama baseball team has strung together some of the best offensive numbers of the Division I era. The Lions put up the best numbers in home runs (26) and slugging percentage (.476) in 16 games during April.
Big Fly Frei: UNA infielder
Gehrig Frei leads the team with 15 home runs so far this season. The redshirt sophomore has appeared in 47 games for UNA and has already hit the most home runs by a UNA batter in Division I program history. He is just two shy of tying the North Alabama record for most home runs in a season with 17, set by Mike Burns (1989) and D.J. Harris (1993).
A Record Weekend: North Alabama set multiple Division I offensive program records against Bellarmine on April 13-14. UNA tallied 48 runs in three games, the most in a series since 2006. The Lions also set new single-game Division I program records for runs (22), hits (23), total bases (36) and margin of victory (19) in Sunday's match.
Mr. 300: North Alabama head baseball coach Jad Prachniak picked up his 300th career win on Sunday, April 14 against Bellarmine, 22-3. Prachniak came to UNA with 273 career victories at Division II West Chester, where he won two NCAA Division II National Championships. Prachniak is in his second season at the helm of the UNA Baseball program.
Climbing the Ladder: With seven games remaining on the season. UNA has tied the mark for most wins in a season at the Division I level. The Lions have won 16 games this season, matching the previous best mark set in 2019. Jad Prachniak is in his second season with the program and already boasts the most ASUN wins in a season with eight set last season before being matched this year.
State of the Union: Prior to the weekend series with North Florida, the UNA baseball team has seven regular season contests remaining. After hosting North Florida for the final series at Mike Lane Field, UNA closes out the regular season with four straight road contests, starting at Mississippi State before taking on Austin Peay on May 16-18.
Scouting the Ospreys: UNF travels to Florence boasting a 20-25 record and a 10-13 record in ASUN Conference play. North Florida is coming off of a midweek loss to Central Florida and a series split with Kennesaw State. The Ospreys are ninth in the ASUN standings, one spot ahead of North Alabama with a two game lead on the Lions.
North Florida Series History: UNA and North Florida have met five times previously, with all five meetings coming at the Division I level. UNF took home a series sweep of North Alabama last season in Florence. North Alabama's lone victory came in 2019 in an 8-4 win over the Ospreys.
