RICHMOND, Ky. (March 21, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball team secured their first win over Eastern Kentucky since 2022 on Friday night by a score of 7-3.
It was all the Lions in this one. Senior lead-off batter Zak Majer doubled to open the first inning, something he has done in three of the five starts he has made as the lead-off hitter.
A quick 2-0 score came way of center fielder Ryker Billingsley as his home run cleared the bases in the second at-bat of the game.
In inning three, Nash Rippen walked and then Jonathan Lane singled to left center putting runners on the corners. Lane stole second and then Alex Wade walked, loading the bases with Bryant Loving at the plate.
Loving was hit by pitch in the second one of his at-bat giving him an RBI as Rippen scored. Shortstop Leighton Jenkins battling in a 3-2 count smoked one to first base which caused an error which scored both Lane and Wade for a three run inning.
Friday night pitcher Brycen Parrish kept the Colonels quiet until the fourth inning. All three of his strikeouts on the night came through the first four innings. However, an EKU batter sent a solo shot homer over right field to make it 5-1.
The fifth inning went to the Lions again with a Lane walk to open it up. Loving reached on another error by the shortstop as he could not handle it. Jenkins doubled to right center scoring both for the 7-1 lead.
Parrish completed his six innings with only one more run for EKU. He allowed only four hits in 24 batters faced in his innings of work.
In stepped the senior transfer from Teaneck, N.J., Dylan Morrill in the bottom of the seventh. He made quick work of the first three Colonels with a ground out and then two straight 1-2 counts that both ended in swinging strikeouts.
EKU tried to bounce back with two singles to open the bottom of the eighth. The Lion defense notched their first out by way of popup to Jenkins. Morrill finished off a batter after a 2-2 count as he went down swinging.
However, a walk loaded the bases for the Colonels with two outs. Another walk pushed a runner to score, making it 7-3 and the tying run in the batter's box. Morrill pitched two straight strikes before loading up the count with three straight balls.
The bases loaded and tying running in front of him, Morrill laced a strike three to finish off the batter and to leave the Colonels stranded on the base path.
Parrish earned his first win of the season and Morrill grabbed his second save. Morrill went three innings tossing six strikeouts in 13 batters faced with a remarkable 33 strikes in 56 total pitches.
The Lions secured nine walks in this one, the most of all season. Lane's two runs scored tied for most in a game this season.
This is a monumental win for North Alabama, who were 1-11 heading into the Friday night matchup with Eastern Kentucky. The last win came in Florence, Ala. 10-1 on March 20, 2022; yes, three years and exactly a day ago.
This win also marks their first true road win of the season, even though the Lions have not had a true home game they have only won at neutral site venues until tonight.
North Alabama records their third conference win in four games. This is the first time since 2018 when UNA competed in the Division II ranks in the Gulf South Conference.
Pitchers of Record
W – Brycen Parrish (1-4)
L – Ryker Walton (1-6)
S – Dylan Morrill (2)
COMING UP NEXT
The Lions play again tomorrow at 6 p.m. for game two of the series.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
