FLORENCE, Ala. – Jacob Bradshaw pitched into the ninth inning for North Alabama, but it was a six-run third inning for Central Arkansas that made the difference as the Bears downed the Lions 7-1 at Mike Lane Field in ASUN Conference baseball action.
 
With the loss, UNA is now 6-18 overall and 1-6 in ASUN play. Central Arkansas improved to 10-14 overall and 5-2 in league play.
 
With the game scoreless, UCA scored six runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batter in the third inning.
 
North Alabama scored its only run in the fourth inning when Austin Thrasher reached on an error and later scored on a ground-out by Devne Daniel.
 
UCA got an insurance run in the seventh to make it 7-1.
 
The Lions were held to just five hits with one from Thrasher and two each from Levi Jensen and Jonathan Lane.
 
Bradshaw pitched into the ninth inning but was pulled after hitting the leadoff batter. He took the loss to fall to 1-5 on the season. He allowed seven runs on nine hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
 
The Lions and Bears play the second game of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Mike Lane Field.