FLORENCE, Ala. (February 19, 2024) – The University of North Alabama baseball team makes their 2024 home debut on Tuesday at 3 p.m. against Belmont at Mike D. Lane field. The Lions opened their season with a 1-2 record after taking home a 13-7 victory over Southern Indiana in Mobile, Ala. and a pair of losses from South Alabama and Lamar. 
 
Belmont at North Alabama
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
3:00 p.m.
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NOTES
 
Last Time Out: The Lions opened the 2024 campaign with a three game set against South Alabama, Southern Indiana and Lamar and came away with a 1-2 record. North Alabama fell in a pitcher's duel to South Alabama, 3-2, on Friday following a stellar performance by starting pitcher Jacob James. On Saturday, the UNA offense came to life for 15 hits and 13 runs in a convincing 13-7 victory over Southern Indiana. The Lions dropped the series finale to Southland Conference contender Lamar on Sunday, 9-1. 
 
Preseason Looks: North Alabama first baseman Kyle Machado was selected to the Preseason All-ASUN Team voted on by league head coaches. The graduate infielder holds the UNA Division I single-season program records for slugging percentage (.565), RBIs (44), home runs (9) and total bases (96) after just his first season with the program. 
 
Home Cooking: The midweek against Belmont is the first home game of the season for North Alabama. The Lions have a 788-298-5 all time record in games played at Mike D. Lane Field, good enough for a .722 winning percentage on games played at home. UNA will be home for 12 of the next 13 games.
 
Midweek Madness: The game against Belmont is the first of 12 midweek games on the 2024 UNA schedule. Of the 12 midweeks, four are at home and eight will be on the road. UNA hosts Belmont, Samford, Murray State and Alabama A&M. Memphis, Ole Miss and Mississippi State highlight some of the midweek road trips. The Lions will return the favor with Belmont and play the Bruins in Nashville on April 16. 
 
Fan Favorite: UNA left-handed pitcher Jacob James also earned preseason honors, being named the ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year in a fan vote conducted on social media. James is entering his fifth season with the program and has made 52 career appearances for the Lions.  
 
Record Chasing: UNA infielder Jackson Ferrigno enters the midweek matchup with Belmont with a 30-game reached base streak. With a hit, walk or hit by pitch on Tuesday, he will tie the North Alabama Division I record for consecutive games reached base safety set by Luke Harper in 2022 at 31 games. Ferrigno has safely reached base in every game since March 28, 2023 at Auburn. 
 
Series History: UNA is 13-6 all time against Belmont with a 9-3 record in games played in Florence. The Bruins took the lone meeting between the two schools last season in a 10-inning thriller, 6-5, on April 18, 2023. Belmont has a 4-2 edge over the Lions since UNA made the jump to Division I in 2018. 
 
Scouting the Bruins: Belmont enters the game against UNA with a 3-1 record after a four-game series against Eastern Michigan in Nashville. The Bruins finished last season 27-33 and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. Belmont was picked to finish sixth in the MVC Preseason Coaches Poll. For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.