MARTIN, Tenn. (May 6, 2025) – The University of North Alabama baseball team won against UT Martin for the seventh straight time in the all-time series, winning 2-1 on the road in Martin, Tenn. This is the second win over the Skyhawks in as many weeks.
The Lions (18-28, 11-13 ASUN) had six hits for the afternoon, but two of those came in pivotal moments with two outs on the board.
Petey Craska, the hero of the story, had two of the six hits. His second hit was a double in the top of the ninth to score Leighton Jenkins for a go-ahead RBI double.
The UNA pitching crew was strong, only allowing UT Martin (18-29, 9-11 OVC) three hits for the game. The Skyhawks' first hit came in the bottom of the fifth. The .107 batting average that UTM was limited to is the third-lowest allowed by UNA this season.
North Alabama threw three pitchers for the game with John Allen Stogner getting the start. He went five innings and threw six strikeouts; the most for a game this season. Reese Young threw three innings with two strikeouts and earned the win for the day. Justin Battle closed out the game in the final inning to earn his first save of the season.
Four Lions earned the six hits, with Craska and Jonathan Lane hitting two apiece. Both of Craska's hits were doubles. Ryker Billingsley and Jenkins were the two to cross the plate for UNA.
This one was a defensive battle throughout.
The first two and half innings went scoreless until UT Martin plated its first and only run in the bottom of the third off of a wild pitch with a runner at third for the 1-0 lead.
Stogner did more than his fair share on the day, as four of his five innings went scoreless. He saw his first and only hit of the afternoon come in the fifth inning.
As Young stepped in in the sixth, he continued the trajectory.
North Alabama found a run in the top of the seventh. Billingsley, Jenkins and Craska all walked to juice the bases.
A 1-1 count formed for Matthew Delgado. The next pitch hit him to score Billingsley for the tying run at 1-1.
Young kept the momentum going to provide back-to-back innings with three batters up and three batters out.
Then, the content of movies was made in the top of the ninth in the tied ball game.
Jenkins walked to open the inning. Sloan put a single through the right side of the infield.
Craska stepped up and took the first pitch he saw to right field and turned on the burners for the double. He scored Jenkins in the process to take the 2-1 advantage with a half inning to play.
Battle stepped in for Young in the bottom of the ninth. He secured the first out from Lane at second. However, the next batter doubled to right center. A ground out pushed the runner to third.
Battle punched out the final batter to secure the out and win the game to push the series win streak to seven games. This now ties the most wins since transitioning to Division I with 18.
Pitchers of Record
W – Reese Young (3-1)
L – Kaleb Baskin (2-3)
S – Justin Battle (1)
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama brings Eastern Kentucky to Florence, Ala. on Friday, May 9 for the final home ASUN weekend series. The Lions won the first series with EKU this season, taking two of three.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook
