FLORENCE, Ala. – The University of North Alabama led for 13 of the 16 innings Saturday at Mike Lane Field but couldn't hold leads in either game and dropped a double-header to Delta State, 8-6 and 4-3.
The Lions, now 15-12 overall and 8-9 in the Gulf South Conference, led the opener 6-3 with two outs in the ninth inning before DSU singled in one run and followed with a grand-slam to take the 8-6 win. UNA led the nightcap 3-1 before DSU again rallied, this time in the top of the sixth inning, to take a 4-3 lead. UNA got a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh but the potential game-tying run was doubled-off second base on a line drive to right field to end the game.
Delta State improved to 19-9 overall and 12-5 in the GSC.
Kyle Hubbuch hit his 10
th home run on the season to give UNA a 1-0 lead in the opener and the Lions added two runs in the third and one in the fourth for a 4-0 lead. UNA starter
Riley Sanderson gave up two runs in the sixth inning and another in the seventh as the Statesmen closed to within 4-3. A two-run single by
Taylor Hayes in the seventh pushed UNA's lead to 6-3.
Devan Traglia came on and pitched a scoreless eighth inning and had two outs with two runners on in the ninth when he gave up an RBI-single to Dakota Glore.
Blake Talley then came on to pitch and walked Erick Santiago to load the bases and Brandon Cummins followed with a grand slam home run to left field to put DSU on top for the first time, 8-6.
Tallek (2-3) took the loss for UNA. Sanderson allowed three runs on seven hits over seven innings, walking four and striking out three.
In game two, UNA scored two runs in the first inning on RBI-hits by Hayes and Hubbuch. The Lions then made it 3-0 in the second. Delta State got a run in the third and then took the lead with a three-run sixth. UNA starter
Bradley Bailey (2-1) pitched five and a third innings, allowing four runs on four hits in the losing effort.
Dylan Stewart pitched one and two thirds innings of relief. The Lions out-hit the Statesmen 10-to-five in the game.
The Lions and Statesmen will play the final game on the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.
