HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama A&M scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and held off North Alabama in the ninth as the Bulldogs downed the Lions 6-5.
 
UNA tied the game in the top of the eighth at 4-4 before A&M platted two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Lions then scored a run in the ninth and put the tying run on second base before the Bulldogs stopped the threat.
 
With the loss, UNA is 15-10 overall, while A&M improved to 6-17.
 
Taylor Knight started for UNA and pitched five innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Dylan Stewart then pitched an inning and two thirds without allowing a run or hit. Shawn Smirnoff took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits over two thirds of an inning. Austin Carpeter then closed the game, recording the final two outs.
 
UNA got a run in the first and A&M tied the game in the bottom of the first. The Lions made it 2-1 in the second before A&M went up up 3-2 in the third. UNA made it 3-3 in the fifth and the Bulldogs went back up 4-3 in the sixth. After UNA tied it in the top of the eighth, A&M got the eventual winning runs in the bottom of the eighth.
 
Kevin Hall and Kyle Hubbuch both homered for the Lions. It was the fifth homer for Hall and the ninth for Hubbuch.
 
UNA hosts Delta State in a three-game Gulf South Conference series Friday and Saturday in Florence.