BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (March 13, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball team embarks on its first ASUN weekend series of the season as they head to Birmingham, Ala. to play Central Arkansas at Young Memorial Field.
North Alabama plays the first game of the series on March 14 at 4:00 p.m.
Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast, while live video will be available via ESPN+.
North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Friday, March 14, 2025
4:00 p.m.
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North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Saturday, March 15, 2025
2:00 p.m.
Live Stats |
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North Alabama vs. Central Arkansas
Sunday, March 16, 2025
1:00 p.m.
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NOTES
THE RUNDOWN: North Alabama recently traveled to Birmingham, Ala. where the played against the Samford Bulldogs; the Lions dropped the game 10-3. Freshman left-handed pitcher
Reese Young pitched three scoreless innings where he faced 11 batters allowing one hit and earned one strikeout.
Jonathan Lane led off for the Lions to begin the game. He earned a walk before
Nash Rippen pushed him to second as he grounded to first base. A
Petey Craska single to centerfield helped Lane score at the plate to grab the early lead. A pair of
Leighton Jenkins and
Bryant Loving walks turned into two runs as the Samford pitcher threw a couple of wild pitches to allow them to advance. However, Samford took over with a six-run sixth inning.
SERIES HISTORY: This will be the 24th all-time meeting between the two programs dating back to 1982. Since then, UNA is 10-13 in this matchup, going 9-2 before the Division I transition. The Lions lone win over UCA since moving to Division I came in 2022 in Florence, Ala. winning 3-1. UNA notched eight hits and no errors to beat the Bears.
SCOUTING THE BEARS: The Bears are on a three-game skid heading into this one and are 5-9 for this season. Most recently, they went to Fayetteville to play No. 3 Arkansas, falling 9-2. The Bears out-hit the Razorbacks in that meeting but home runs favored Arkansas. Recently, the Bears junior closer Hunter Alexander earned ASUN Pitcher of the Week honors after his win over Evansville last Friday night.
BIRMINGHAM BOUND: To start conference play, the Lions are hosting ASUN opponent Central Arkansas at Young Memorial Field thanks to the help of the UAB staff, making it seven games in total in Birmingham. As Bank Independent Stadium continues its progress, the home series now for the Lions marks six games at Young Memorial Field this season.
DELLY CELLY: Senior transfer catcher
Matthew Delgado has quickly become a focal point to the Lions offense. He leads the team in batting average (.326), slugging percentage (.413), runs scored (6) and RBIs (7). He is second in total bases (19) and hits (15) in just 14 games played for the season. He is also tied for most hits in a game (3), runs scored (2) and home runs (1).
PITCH COUNT: Head coach Jad Prachniak has kept his weekend rotations primarily the same. Typically, the starters run as
Brycen Parrish,
Tripp Patterson and
Anthony Pingeton for the Friday through Sunday games, respectively. Patterson, the freshman left-handed pitcher and senior right-handed pitcher
Dylan Morrill are 2-0 when pitching in the same game this season. Patterson has 2.45 ERA for best on the team — minimum of one inning per game. Between the two, 40.1 innings have been pitched while they are tied for the lead on the team in strikeouts with 15. They also lead with the lowest batting average for opposing batters when they are on the mound.
LINEUP LIMBO: The Lions have played 15 games in the young season. Thirteen of those games have seen at least one new player inserted into the lineup outside of the mound. Head coach Jad Prachniak has moved a ton of pieces around, only leaving three players as full-time starters which are second baseman
Jonathan Lane, shortstop
Leighton Jenkins and first baseman
Petey Craska. Prachniak has placed different players in each of the outfield spots, catcher, third base and designated hitter. For those positions, there have been eight different players to work through them in the 13 games.
ROAD WARRIORS: North Alabama is in the process of building Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium, which is currently scheduled to be ready in April. The Lions will play on the road and at neutral site venues until then. For more information,
click here.
UP NEXT: After the Central Arkansas series, the Lions have the midweek off and will reconvene in Richmond, Ky. to play ASUN foe Eastern Kentucky on Friday, March 21 at Earle Combs Stadium for a weekend series.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
