FLORENCE, Ala. (May 9, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball team accomplished the most Division I wins in a single season on Friday with a 6-4 win over Eastern Kentucky in Florence. The 19th win is the most in a season since the move to Division I in 2018-19. 

This is UNA's 12th Atlantic Sun Conference win, as well, now two games past the best for a season with 10 in 2024.  

The Lions (19-28, 12-13 ASUN) hit .310 for the game and maximized their chances with runners on with a .385 team average during those situations.  

The Colonels (10-40, 7-18 ASUN) used three runs over three innings to close the gap to a one run game before North Alabama extended the lead in the sixth and seventh innings.

UNA used three pitchers for the game with Tripp Patterson getting the Friday night nod. The freshman went 5.2 innings with three strikeouts.  

Luke Davenport came in for relief and 3.0 innings with seven strikeouts in 13 batters faced. This is the most strikeouts in a game for the freshman this season with his previous high being four that he accomplished twice; once against Austin Peay and once against Lipscomb. 

Gavin Oswald came in and slammed the door with the final strikeout as two Colonels were on base. He earned his fourth save this season and ties with his teammate Dylan Morrill for sixth best in the ASUN.  

North Alabama had a nine-hit day that the team turned into six runs, three came in the first inning. Petey Craska, RJ Sherwood and Leighton Jenkins secured two hit days for the group. Sherwood also took home two of the six RBIs that UNA hit today.  

Craska and Sherwood each plated for a run but Matthew Delgado, Jayden Sloan and Jonathan Lane joined in on the fun to add four combined runs between the trio for every player that touched home in this one.  

Each of the first three batters singled to get the game rolling which loaded the bases with no outs. Nash Rippen walked for the first run to cross the plate. Lane flew out for a sacrifice fly as the speedy Craska slid head first for the second run. Sherwood doubled to move Delgado across from second to take the initial 3-0 lead.  

The Colonels took innings three, four and five to tie up the game with a run apiece in each to make it 3-3 heading into the sixth. 

Sherwood was hit in the bottom of the sixth to open the inning. Loving pushed a sac bunt to third that helped Sherwood to second. Ryker Billingsley hit a groundout to second to move Sherwood to third. 

Jenkins laid down another bunt to the third base side. Sherwood flipped his hips to run, which led to the Colonel defense trying for the play at home. Sherwood faked the run, which led to the late throw to first. 

However, the only person there was Jenkins as the ball went sailing into the fence with no EKU defender in sight. Sherwood then made his way home for the score and 4-3 lead. 

Craska and Delgado walked in the bottom of the seventh. Rippen laid a bunt down that moved both around. Lane hit one to second, but instead of getting Lane the Colonel elected for Craska at home. 

Craska went around the tag but never touched home. He was ruled out after he went out of his designated line.  

Sherwood singled to center for his next RBI to score Delgado. Bryant Loving added another insurance run as he singled to left for Lane to score for the 6-3 lead. 

The Colonels added a solo shot home run in the eighth to cut the lead, 6-4. 

EKU got two runners on with two outs and the winning run at the plate. However, Oswald stepped in and threw a five-pitch strikeout that caught sent the Colonel down swinging. 

This is the 19th win for head coach Jad Prachniak and the Lions. The win is the most in a season during Prachniak's time at UNA. This is the second straight season that the Lions have set a new overall win total and conference win total.  

Pitchers of Record 
W – Luke Davenport (3-2) 
L –  Ryker Walton (1-10) 
S – Gavin Oswald (4) 

COMING UP NEXT 
North Alabama plays the second game of the series against Eastern Kentucky tomorrow at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates through the social media channels for potential weather updates.  

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