JACKSONVILLE, Ala. -- North Alabama held a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning but couldn't hold it as the Lions dropped a 9-6 decision to Jacksonville State in the opening game of a three-game ASUN Conference baseball series.

JSU took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth inning and added two more in the seventh for a 7-3 advantage. North Alabama got two runs back in the top of the eighth but JSU matched them with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Lions got one run in the ninth but it wasn't enough.

With the loss, UNA is now 9-31 overall and 3-16 in ASUN play.

UNA starter Jacob Bradshaw took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over five and two-thirds innings. He walked one and struckout eight.

Jackson Ferrigno led the Lions at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a run scored. Dominick McIntyre was 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored.

Ferrigno extended his current hitting streak to 16 games.

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