FLORENCE -- The University of North Alabama opened the Gulf South Conference portion of its 2010 schedule Saturday with a split of a double-header with West Georgia at Mike Lane Field. UNA won the opener 8-5 behind the pitching of Mitch Handley and dropped the nightcap 9-5.

It was the sixth consecutive double-header split for UNA. The Lions are now 11-11 overall and 1-1 in GSC play. West Georgia is 10-15 and 1-1.

UNA jumped to a 2-0 lead in the opener with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Balke Stroth and Jared Mothershed both walked and later scored on a two-run double by Jacob Lamar. West Georgis went on top with three runs in the second off two walks, an error and two singles. The Lions then regained the lead in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs to go up 4-3. In the fourth Mothershed hit a solo home run and Lamar had an RBI singke to make it 6-3. West Georgia got a run in the fifth but UNA got two more in the sixth on a two-run Chase Porch homer to make it 8-4. The Wolves got a run in the seventh to cut it to 8-5 but that was as close as they would get. 

Handley (3-1) got the win scattering seven hits over seven innings with three walks and five strikeouts. Casey Jones and Patrick Hinton each pitched a scoreless inning of relief. Porch was 4-for-5 with three runs scored and three runs batted in.

In the nightcap, West Georgia plated two runs in the first off UNA starter Trey Mitchell but UNA answered with three runs in the second for a 3-2 lead. One run scored on an error and the Kevin Williams and Blake Stroth each drove in a run. West Georgia got three runs in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth for an 8-3 lead before UNA rallied. The Lions scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth as Ross Parker delivered a two-run single. Then in the seventh, UNA got back-to-back singles from Lamar and Mothershed to open the inning but left them on base.

Mitchell (1-2) took the loss for UNA, allowing six runs on eight hits over three and one third innings. Casey Jones gave up three runs on five hits in three and 2/3 innings. The Lions left 10 men on base and were out-hit 13 to10 by the Wolves.

UNA and West Georgia will play the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mike Lane Field.