JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- After getting just three hits over the first eight innings, North Alabama scored five runs on five hits in the ninth inning but came out on the short end of an 11-8 decision to Jacksonville State in the opening game of a three-game ASUN Conference baseball series.

UNA trailed 11-3 entering the top of the ninth inning when Garret Smith was hit-by-pitch and the Lions followed with five consecutive singles to make it 11-8 with no outs. JSU managed to work out of the jam and preserve the win.

UNA falls to 6-14 overall and 1-3 in ASUN play. Jacksonville State improves to 9-11 overall and 4-0 in the ASUN.

Jacksonville State scored three runs in the first inning and added two in the third for 5-0 lead. UNA got on the board with two runs in the fourth when Luke Harper walked, Austin Thrasher singled and Reid Homan drove in Harper with a sacrifice fly. Drew Hudson then reached on an error, scoring Thrasher.

JSU answered with four runs of its own in the bottom of the frame to make it 9-2.  

UNA got a run in the top of the fifth when Jonathan Lane drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run.

Jacksonville State got two runs in the seventh to extend its lead to 11-3.

In the ninth, Smith was hit-by-pitch and  Levi Jensen and Dominick McIntyre followed with singles to load the bases with no outs. A Harper single drove in two runs and Thrasher singled to re-load the bases. Homan then singled in a run and a JSU throwing error on the play allowed two other runners to score. The next three Lion batters were retired in order to end the game.

UNA starter Jacob Bradshaw (1-4) took the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits over three and a third innings. Austin Nichols then allowed four runs on six hits in three and two-thirds innings of work.

JSU pitchers struckout 15 Lion batters in the game and UNA left the bases loaded in two innings.

The Lions and Gamecocks will play the second game of the series at 6:00 p.m., Saturday.