FLORENCE, Ala. (April 20, 2024) – Junior Leighton Jenkins picked up his first home run of the season in three-run fashion as the University of North Alabama baseball team toppled Stetson 5-4 in game two of the series on Saturday in Florence. The North Alabama shortstop's three-run homer served as the eventual game winning run, as the two teams look ahead to a Sunday rubber match at noon. 
 
The Lions improve to 14-22 on the season, while the Hatters fall to 25-14. UNA is now 6-11 in ASUN Conference play while knocking Stetson down from first to second in the league at 11-6.
 
Up 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Jenkins brought home a trio of North Alabama runners on a no-doubt home run for his first longball of the season. The Lions took advantage of the 5-1 lead as the UNA pitching staff held solid for the remainder of the afternoon. 
 
The Lions jumped out in front early courtesy of a Kyle Machado sacrifice fly to score Jackson Ferrigno in the first inning. The Hatters quickly responded on a sac fly of their own to even the score up at 1-1 midway through the second inning. 
 
North Alabama left fielder Andrew Knight rocked a solo home run to left field with one out to bring his season total to five. With 18 games remaining this season, North Alabama has now hit 41 home runs on the year — the most in a single season in the program's Division I history. There are eight Lions with three or more home runs this season. 
 
UNA starting pitcher Jacob Bradshaw tossed a pair of scoreless innings in the third and fourth to keep the explosive Hatter offense at bay. Bradshaw finished his afternoon with 7.0 innings, allowing just one walk and three earned runs on the way to earning his second victory of the season.
 
Following a leadoff single from Jonathan Lane and a walk by Knight in the bottom of the fourth, Jenkins tallied his first home run of the season with one out to extend the Lion lead to 5-1. The East Central Community College transfer extends his hitting streak to 12 games, with 17 hits across that span.  
 
Stetson pushed across a pair of runs and loaded the bases in the fifth inning prior to a diving Jenkins stop that ended the inning. Bradshaw worked a scoreless sixth inning before surrendering an unearned run in the seventh.
 
Dane Sykes entered from the bullpen to protect the 5-4 UNA lead in the eighth inning. Sykes slammed the door shut on the Stetson offense, facing just seven batters across two innings on his way to picking up his third save of the season. 
 
The Hatters entered the day atop the ASUN standings with an 11-5 conference record. North Alabama looks to take a series victory in Sunday's series finale. 
 
Pitchers of Record
W – Jacob Bradshaw (2-2)
L – Arin McAtee (1-2)
S – Dane Sykes (3)
 
COMING UP NEXT
  
UNA and Stetson square off in the series finale on Sunday at noon in Florence. The Lions seek their first series victory over the Hatters in program history. 
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.