KENNESAW, Ga. -- North Alabama scored six runs over the final three innings to down Kennesaw State 8-5 in the first game of a three-game ASUN series with the Owls.

Kennesaw State led 4-2 going to the seventh inning but the Lions scored three runs for a 5-4 advantage/ KSU scored a run in the eight to tie the game a 5-5 but UNA got three more runs in the ninth for the win.

With the win, UNA improved to 10-36 overall and 4-21 in the ASUN Conference. KSU is now 23-25 overall and 12-13 in conference play.

The win snapped an 11-game losing streak for the Lions and a nine-game ASUN losing skid. All four of the Lions ASUN wins this season have come on the road.

Carson Howard (2-1), the second of three Lions to pitch in the game, got the win, allowing just one run on one hit over two innings. Jacob James came on to earn his first save of the season, allowing just one hit and striking out three in an innings work.

UNA got on the scoreboard in the third inning when Ethan Walker walked, Jackson Ferrigno walked and Jonathan Lane walked to load the bases. A Kyle Machado ground-out drove in one run amd Andrew Knight and Dominick McIntyre were both hit-by-pitch, forcing in Ferigno to give UNA a 2-1 lead.

KSU got a run in the third and two in the sixth for a 4-2 lead.

In the seventh, Walker doubled, Lane singled and Machado was hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Knight, McIntyre and Drew Hudson all followed with RBI singles to put UNA on top 5-4.

After KSU tied it in the eighth, the Lions added three more in the ninth. Machado and Gerig Frei both walked and McIntyre singled to load the bases. A double by Hudson drove in two runs and McIntyre scored on a wild pitch.

The Lions and Owls play the second game of the series Saturday at 3:00 p.m.