BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 28, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball fell to the UAB Blazers at Young Memorial Field by a 4-1 final on Friday. The Lions had 34 at-bats with only two strikeouts, a season-low, but left eight runners on base. 

The Lions started off slow in this one, typically an aggressor offensively early in games. In the first inning, the Blazers snagged a three-up and three-down inning. 

UAB blazed early as starting right-hander Brycen Parrish struck out the lead batter but walked the next. After that, two straight singles came for the Blazers as they scored the opening run. Another Blazer single led to bases loaded and a sac fly from the next one up made it 2-0. A double to left field scored the third run of the inning, finalizing the first 3-0. 

North Alabama answered in the top of the sixth. Third baseman Jayden Sloan singled down the right side. Freshman Wes Walker double down the right field line to push Sloan all the way around for the score to make it 3-1 before the end of the inning. 

Parrish continued to deal in the low-scoring 3-1 game. In the bottom of the fourth, UAB tripled to right center, but thanks to a ground and fly out the Lions stranded the runner to keep their hopes alive. 

From the bottom of the second to the bottom of the seventh, there were a total of five hits between the two teams. Both defenses provided to stout coverage to prevent anyone getting on base. 

It wasn't until the bottom of the seventh when another score arrived. The senior right-handed pitcher Dylan Morrill came in, in relief of Parrish. A pop up and fly out helped Morrill with two quick outs, but the heavy hitter for the Blazers, Logan Braunschweig, homered to increase the lead to 4-1. 

The top of the ninth saw some action for the Lions as they battled back. Walker reached on an error by the shortstop which got him to first. Senior Zak Majer pinch hit for RJ Sherwood where he singled through the right side which put a second Lion on base. However, a final UNA batter grounded into a double play leading to the final out of the game. 

The Lions had no errors in this game and recorded more hits than the Blazers, eight to just their six. North Alabama only recorded two strikeouts at the plate, the lowest of any game this season. The next closest games was the Army game on Feb. 14 where the Lions had six strikeouts in 32 at-bats. 

Sloan went 3-4 at the plate and the only North Alabama player to have multiple hits on the day. 

Lions held the Blazer's big batter Braunschweig to 1-4 on the day as his season average is .412. 
 

Pitchers of Record
W – Cole Cheatham (2-1)
L –  Brycen Parrish (0-3)
S – Brendan Conner (3)
 

COMING UP NEXT
The Lions play game two of the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Young Memorial Field. 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.