FLORENCE, Ala. -- Trailing 7-0, the University of North Alabama scored six runs in the sixth inning but it wasn't enough as the Lions came up short in an 8-6 loss to Eastern Kentucky in the ASUN Conference opener for both schools.

North Alabama, now 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the ASUN, gave up three runs in the second inning, one in the fifth and three in the sixth to trail 7-0. Then, with two outs and one runner on base, the Lions had eight straight batters reach base, scoring six runs and loading the bases before the Colonels could stop the rally.

EKU got an insurance run in the seventh to make the final score 8-6.

Eastern Kentucky is now 12-7 overall and 1-0 in the ASUN.

A solo home run by Will King and a two-run shot by Ron Franklin gave EKU a 3-0 lead. The Colonels also got solo home runs from Conner Davis in the sixth and Charlie Ludwick in the seventh.

In UNA's half of the sixth, Austin Thrasher walked with one out and Devne Daniel walked with two away. Jonathan Lane singled in the first run and Drew Hudson followed with a two-run triple. A Levi Jensen single scored Hudson to make it 7-4. Dominick McIntyre reached on an error to score another run and a Luke Harper single made it 7-6. Thrasher singled for the second time in the inning to load the bases before Garrett Langrell was able to strikeout Reid Homan to end the threat.

Will Haberstock (1-3) took the loss for UNA, allowing four runs on three hits over four and a third innings. He struckout 10 batters. John Lundgren gave up three runs on four hits over an inning and two-thirds and Austin Nichols allowed a run on one hit in one-third of an inning.

EKU starter Michael Shuler (2-1) got the win, pitching five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits. Will Brian earned his seventh save, pitching a perfect ninth inning.

The Lions and Colonels play the second game of the series on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.