FLORENCE, Ala. -- The University of North Alabama baseball team opened the 2023 season with plenty of base runners but couldn't bring them in as the Lions stranded 23 runners in a double-header sweep by Milawukee, 5-0 and 6-4.

The Lions trailed 5-0 and 6-2 in the nightcap before fighting back to score two late runs and load the bases in the bottom of the ninth before the Panthers were able to stop the threat.

In the opener, Milwaukee got a single run in the first inning and added one in the fourth, one in the seventh and two in the ninth. UNA, meanwhile, stranded runners in seven of the nine innings on six hits, three walks and a hit batter. First baseman Kyle Machado led the Lions' offensive attack with two singles, a double and a walk in four plate appearances.

UNA got the leadoff runner on base in six of the nine innings but couldn't bring them in.

North Alabama starter Justus Agosto (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on six hits over six complete innings. He allowed six hits, walked one and struckout seven.

In game two, Milwaukee again got on the board with a run in the first inning. The Panthers added four in the fifth for a 5-0 lead before the Lions fought back with two runs in the seventh. Gehrig Frei reached on a fielder's choice, Macahado walked and they both moved up on a passed ball. Frei scored on a sacrifice fly by Jonathan Lane and Machado scored on an RBI-single by Jackson Ferrigno.

In the ninth, Frei lead off with a double and scored on a Lane RBI-single. Ferrigno and Mcintyre walked to load the bases and Lane scored on a wild pitch. Cal Cook walked with two outs to re-load the bases but the Panthers' Nate DeYoung struckout UNA's Jackson Cheek to end the game.

UNA starter Justin Battle (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits over four and a third innings. He walked four and struckout four.

The Lions and Panthers will play the final game of the series on Sunday at noon at Mike Lane Field.